Arnold Allen suffered a setback in his UFC title hopes as the Brit lost a decision to former champion Max Holloway in Kansas City.
The fight started and Allen attacked the legs of Holloway straight away, with an accidental groin strike from the Brit briefly halting the action. Holloway started to find his rhythm and was putting together some sharp combinations, but the counter left hand for Allen was finding a home.
Allen had a better second round as his counter left hand continued to land but Holloway's chin refused to crack as the Hawaiian was seemingly unfazed by the big shots. The third round was evenly contested until Holloway started landing some big strikes in the final minute, doubling up with a body kick and connecting with a perfectly-placed spinning back-fist.
The Kansas City crowd had their hearts in their mouths in the fourth round when Holloway's spinning back-kick attempt just missed and so did Allen's overhand left counter. Allen had to go for broke in the final round after falling behind on the scorecards and he came out all guns blazing, but Holloway refused to retreat and fired back with his own hard shots.
Allen continued to land his best shots but Holloway's ironclad chin held up and he briefly knocked down the Brit in the final seconds of the fight. The judges saw it 49-46, 49-46 and 48-47 all in favour of Holloway after the final bell and then former champion praised Allen after the fight as he said: "Arnold hits like a truck the dude is good bro, he went all the way". Allen was also complimentary of Holloway as he said: "Max has been around a long time and he’s one of the best in the world I love the man, he inspires me."
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Elsewhere on the Kansas City card, Edson Barboza brutally knocked out Billy Quarantillo in the first round with a perfectly-timed knee. Light-heavyweight prospect Azamat Murzakanov kept his unbeaten record intact with a decision win against Dustin Jacoby despite a late fightback from the American.
Moldovan powerhouse Ion Cutelaba returned to the win column for the first time in two years as he knocked out Tanner Boser in the first round. Zak Cummings stopped Ed Herman with both UFC veterans shockingly announcing their retirement after the fight. There were also impressive stoppage wins for the likes of Bill Algeo, Brandon Royval, Gillian Robertson and Denise Gomes.
