Preview: UFC Fight Night ‘Manuwa vs. Anderson’

Featherweights

Arnold Allen (11-1) vs. Makwan Amirkhani (13-2)

THE MATCHUP: Despite his obvious potential, Allen has yet to put on a breakthrough performance. The problem could be stylistic in nature. It is difficult to say what exactly Allen specializes in, if anything. He is a superb athlete, of course. Allen is light on his feet, quick with his explosive movements and maintains a pace well. At times, however, Allen seems unsure of how to approach his fights. He likes to keep the pressure on his opponent but seems to prefer countering to leading. He does have a nice right hook to catch people on the way in but lacks the defense to safely play such a reactive style. Allen is a keen scrambler but willingly spends most of his fight time on the feet. Though it has only appeared in glimpses throughout his short UFC career, Allen’s clinch game may actually be his best asset. Allen uses his head and hands very well in the tie-ups, and his physical strength is a great boon at that range.

The result of this stylistic confusion is that Allen always finds himself in tough, back-and-forth fights. Well-roundedness is great, but Allen approaches every fight as if he can win it everywhere, rather than focusing on the one range or phase which suits him best. Or perhaps Allen, the young MMA native, never will find a range or phase that suits him best. Perhaps he will always be a tough out, rather than a star attraction.

Amirkhani has no such problem. His fighting style is as magnetic as his personality. Amirkhani positively runs on confidence -- the confidence to throw a flying knee out of the gate, the confidence to shoot at every opportunity, the confidence to give up position when necessary. A wrestler first and foremost, Amirkhani specializes in shot takedowns, finishing doubles and singles alike with excellent drive and footwork. He is not lost on the feet, where his athleticism makes him dangerous no matter what, but wrestling and grappling are what he does best.

Amirkhani does have a habit of putting himself into risky positions on the ground, leaving one with the impression that he is not so much a textbook grappler as a naturally gifted one. Balance is everything for Amirkhani once the fight hits the ground. He is more than happy to ride a butterfly hook and risk off-balancing himself if it means the chance to land a few strikes and advance position. Whenever he is tilted one way or another, Amirkhani counters with a quickly posted hand and stays on top. Often, rather than locking down on a position, Amirkhani will simply float, stealing short but powerful strikes here and there as he does.

THE ODDS: Amirkhani (-150), Allen (+110)

THE PICK: Allen has done a credible job of stopping takedowns thus far in the UFC, officially defending 84 percent of the shots attempted by his last two opponents. Even if he stops one or two of Amirkhani’s shots, however, the problem of direction remains. What will Allen’s goals be on the feet and how will he pursue them? It would not even surprise me if Allen attempted to take Amirkhani to the ground despite having an advantage on the feet. His confidence is admirable, but he needs a plan for his style and career. Amirkhani, on the other hand, backs up his confidence well. He fights deliberately and aggressively, always in relentless pursuit of the takedown, the pass and the submission. Allen will almost certainly compete with Amirkhani, but the latter’s focus gives him the edge. The pick is Amirkhani by unanimous decision.

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