It wouldn’t be an MMA event if there wasn’t a fighter who got in front of a camera to say there was no excuse for the loss that just happened.
It also wouldn’t be an MMA event if there wasn’t a quick “But,” followed by some excuses for the loss. Sunday, mere hours after his win, Arnold Allen (20-3 MMA, 11-2 UFC) called out featherweight opponent Giga Chikadze (15-4 MMA, 8-2 UFC) for a post-fight video posted to social media.
This is not the way https://t.co/7ye358u08i
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) July 28, 2024
“This is not the way,” Arnold posted with a re-circulation of a video from Chikadze saying he tore his shoulder in the first round. And in the comments on the same post, Allen wondered how it was Chikadze got his medical diagnosis so quickly after the matchup, which opened the pay-per-view main card at UFC 394 in Manchester, England.
“Also how’s he know he needs surgery,” Allen posted. “I think I broke my hand in the first round too but I’m still waiting for an mri and xray etc 🤷🏼♂️ UFCs magic doctors must’ve screwed me”
Allen, fighting in front of his home fans in England, got back in the win column after back-to-back losses to former featherweight champ Max Holloway and Movsar Evloev, which were his first setbacks in nearly a decade.
Allen nearly was a 3-1 betting favorite in the fight. In a strategic battle that played out on the feet, Allen outstruck Chikadze 61-39 and won with a trio of 29-28 scores from the judges. Allen said he chose to stand and trade with his opponent intentionally since many thought he’d likely wrestle him giving his striking skills.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.
