This weekend (Sat., July 27, 2024), two fierce Featherweight strikers, Arnold Allen and Giga Chikadze, will face off in an intense battle at UFC 304. The event will take place at Co-Op Live in Manchester, England.
After a remarkable start to his UFC career, Allen remained undefeated for seven years and 10 fights, establishing himself as a top contender for the title. However, his recent defeats to highly skilled opponents have put him in a position where he must secure a win to maintain his standing in the title mix. Chikadze can understand this situation all too well, having begun his UFC journey with a seven-fight winning streak. Although Calvin Kattar put an end to his winning momentum with a brutal beatdown, the kickboxer managed to bounce back with an impressive victory over the experienced Alex Caceres.
Now, let’s delve into the betting odds and strategic keys for every athlete, examining them more closely.
Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Allen vs. Chikaedze Betting Odds
- Arnold Allen victory: -250
- The outcome of the fight between Arnold Allen is yet to be determined, but there is a possibility that he could win via TKO, KO, or DQ.
- Arnold Allen via submission: TBD
- Arnold Allen via decision: TBD
- Giga Chikadze victory: +205
- The winner of the fight between Giga Chikadze will be determined by either TKO, KO, or DQ.
- Giga Chikadze via submission: TBD
- Giga Chikadze via decision: TBD
- Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images How Allen Wins
Arnold Allen stands out as a highly skilled fighter in the 145-pound division. Possessing a lanky southpaw stance, he showcases exceptional takedown defense and a devastating jab. Moreover, when Allen ramps up the intensity and output, he undeniably possesses the ability to secure impressive finishes.
Allen is facing a stylistic challenge against Chikadze. Normally, Allen relies on his English talent to avoid takedowns, prevent opponents from getting close, and strike from a distance. However, since Chikadze is a former professional kickboxer, the dynamics of this fight will likely be different. Allen will probably aim to make the fight messy and engage in close combat to gain control over Chikadze.
Luckily, Calvin Kattar exhibited an effective approach for MMA fighters to defeat Chikadze without resorting to takedowns, which is not typically Allen’s preferred strategy. By adopting elements from Kattar’s game plan such as applying pressure, countering kicks, and incorporating clinch work into extended combinations, Allen stands a good chance of emulating Kattar’s triumph and keeping Chikadze in a defensive position.
Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images How Chikadze Wins
Chikadze entered the Octagon as a skilled kickboxer, but he swiftly developed his takedown defense to secure a spot in the rankings. His ability to throw powerful combinations, paired with his devastating left kick, has enabled him to achieve an impressive nine knockout victories.
All told, this is a solid opportunity for Chikadze, who gets to go toe-to-toe with a striker ranked above him. It really becomes a question of distance and defense. He’s not great in the pocket, so Chikadze has to keep his feet moving and make sure Allen is walking through fire before Allen gets to his preferred boxing range.
One intriguing aspect of this match is that both fighters are primarily Southpaw. This means that Chikadze’s renowned liver kick may not be as effective, but he will have a greater opportunity to target the calf. Southpaws are typically not used to having their front leg targeted, so prioritizing calf kicks could potentially slow down Allen and give Chikadze the advantage of fighting from a distance.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Allen vs. Chikadze Prediction
In my perspective, this fight appears to be more evenly matched than the given betting odds suggest.
It is extremely challenging in MMA to defeat a specialist who excels in the same field where a more well-rounded fighter typically shines. Allen, who frequently emerges victorious through striking, finds himself up against a seasoned kickboxing professional. While Allen’s grappling abilities surpass those of Chikadze, they are primarily focused on defending and countering takedowns. For instance, his preferred ninja choke, which has secured both of his tapout victories in the UFC, is specifically designed to counter head inside takedown attempts, a technique that Chikadze is highly unlikely to employ.
In essence, Chikadze primarily relies on his A game, the strategy he often employs in most MMA fights. On the other hand, Allen faces the challenge of making substantial adjustments to his approach, a task that is quite challenging at the elite level!
The question at hand is whether Allen possesses the necessary skill and tactical ability to overcome this challenge. Personally, I believe he is more than capable of handling it, primarily due to two reasons. Firstly, he has access to footage that he can study regarding Chikadze’s previous fight against Kattar. Secondly, he is a member of the esteemed and strategic Tristar MMA camp. With these advantages, Allen should be adequately prepared to face the challenge posed by Chikadze. Hopefully, this means he can effectively utilize all of his skills and avoid being trapped in a kickboxing match.
Prediction: Arnold Allen victory (-250)
