MMA Preview – Arnold Allen vs Movsar Evloev at UFC 297
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ARNOLD ALLEN VS MOVSAR EVLOEV FACTS
When is UFC 297? Sunday 21st January, 2023 - 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 297? Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario (Canada)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 297? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 297
What channel is UFC 297 on? TNT Sports 1
Where can I stream UFC 297? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
ARNOLD ALLEN VS MOVSAR EVLOEV LOWDOWN
Arnold Allen’s (19-2) win streak was finally snapped back in April at UFC on ESPN 44. He was on a 12-fight run including 10 UFC fights. After finishing Dan Hooker and Calvin Kattar (injury) last year, he was awarded one of the biggest fights in the division and featherweight great, Max Holloway. Like many, he was outclassed by the Hawaiian over five rounds.
Movsar Evloev (17-0) is making his own stead ascent up the featherweight division. Inactivity is slowing him down along with the fact that all seven of his UFC wins have ended in a decision. That said, his wrestling has completely stifled everyone and he is coming off unanimous decisions over Hakeem Dawodu (2021), Dan Ige (2022) and Diego Lopes (2023).
ARNOLD ALLEN VS MOVSAR EVLOEV PREDICTION
This is not the fight you want coming off a humbling loss. That said, Allen’s experience will give him confidence and he knows he is the better striker. He is very well-rounded, but he will have been focusing on his takedown defence this camp.
Evloev is a master of Greco-Roman wrestling and he will no doubt look to close the distance, tie Allen’s body up and keep him on his back for three rounds. The Brit has good takedown defence and will make the Russian work hard for control.
We expect a lot of this fight to take place in the clinch with Allen’s raw strength preventing the takedown for the early portion of the fight. However, Evloev will be relentless and we expect him to get the fight to the mat eventually.
This will be one Evloev’s toughest tests and Allen is capable of breaking the record with a knockout. However, we expect Evloev to earn enough control time to walk home with another decision.
Prediction: Evloev via Decision
Value bet: Allen to win
