KANSAS CITY, Mo. – UFC on ESPN 44 takes place Saturday, and you can join us for live play-by-play and official results.
UFC on ESPN 44 takes place at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.
In the main event, former featherweight champion Max Holloway (23-7 MMA, 19-7 UFC) takes on Arnold Allen (19-1 MMA, 10-0 UFC), who has yet to lose in 10 UFC fights. In the co-feature, Edson Barboza (22-11 MMA, 16-11 UFC) meets Billy Quarantillo (17-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC) in another featherweight clash.
Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 5:30 p.m. ET for the early prelims on ESPN+ and 8:30 p.m. ET for the main card on ESPN.
To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC on ESPN 44 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter Nolan King (@mma_kings ) on Twitter.
Enjoy the fights, everyone.
Joselyn Edwards vs. Lucie Pudilova
Round 1 – No feeling out process here! Both come out firing! Good leg kick by Edwards. Edwards eats a knee to the face from the clinch. Pudilova shoots for a takedown and gets it. Pudilova now working from half guard. Three minutes left. Good shots from top by Pudilova. Pudilova in full control here. The crowd is booing a bit, asking for action. One minute left. Pudilova tried to get mount, but Edwards scrambles and gets back on her feet. Pudilova pushes Edwards against the cage and controls until the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Pudilova.
Round 2 – Good elbows from the clinch by Edwards. Edwards with a couple of hard leg kicks. More kicks from Edwards. Pudilova has yet to get going. Edwards with a nasty body kick. Good left hand by Edwards. Pudilova shoots for a takedown and gets it. Three minutes left. Pudilova moves to side control, then gets the back. Two minutes left. Pudilova in full control here, but very little damage. Pudilova now moves to mount. She keeps control and lets loose with ground and pound in the final seconds.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Pudilova.
Round 3 – Pudilova clearly with an edge in the grappling department. She closes the distance on Edwards and presses her against the cage. Edwards reverses the position and is able to break free. Three minutes left. Good leg kicks by Edwards. Another leg kick by Edwards. Two minutes left. Good jabs by Edwards. Edwards getting the better of the exchanges on the feet here. Good knee by Pudilova. Edwards with a big body kick. Pudilova closes the distance and presses Edwards against the cage. She tries to go for the takedown, but Edwards escapes. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Edwards. Overall 29-28, Pudilova.
Result: Joselyne Edwards def. Lucie Pudilova via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Photos: Joselyne Edwards def. Lucie Pudilova at UFC on ESPN 44: Best photos
Records: Joselyn Edwards (13-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC), Lucie Pudilova (9-7 MMA, 3- UFC)
Division: Women’s bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Dwayne Bess
Judging: Ross Swanberg, Davis Huyette 29-28. Henry Guery 28-29.
Gaston Bolanos vs. Aaron Phillips
Round 1 – Big straight right hand for Bolanos! Both guys throwing, but nothing landing very flush. Good leg kick by Bolanos. Three minutes left. Phillips with a hard leg kick too. They trade leg kicks. Another straight right lands for Bolanos. Another one, and this one seemed to stun Phillips. Two minutes left. Bolanos landing bog leg kicks here. One minute left. They trade shots till the bell, but nothing lands clean for either fighter.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Bolanos.
Round 2 – Phillips shoots for a takedown, as Bolanos went for a high kick. They get into a scramble. Bolanos briefly gets the back, but then he ends on bottom. Phillips now working from half guard. Bolanos gets back up. Good knee by Phillips. Good left by Phillips. Bolanos upping the pressure here on Phillips. Big leg kicks by Bolanos. Phillips shoots for a takedown and gets it. Phillips moves to mount. He now gets the back with a body triangle. Phillips going for the rear-naked choke! Bolanos gets out. Two minutes left. Bolanos gets out and now he’s hovering over Phillips landing leg kicks and heavy ground-and-pound. Phillips eventually gets out, but Bolanos all over him. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Phillips.
Round 3 – Phillips shoots for a takedown and presses Bolanos against the cage. Bolanos defending well, but still pinned against the cage. Phillips tries to go for an armbar, but fails. Bolanos with heavy shots from the top. He’s now in Phillips’ guard landing ground-and-pound. Bolanos with a non-stop attack. Bolanos lets Phillips back up. Big spinning elbow by Bolanos. Two minutes left. Phillips seems to be fading. Bolanos goes for a spinning attack and Phillips gets his back. Two minutes left. Good control here by Phillips, but little damage. One minute left. Phillips maintaons control all the way to the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Bolanos. Overall 29-28, Bolanos.
Result: Gaston Bolanos def. Aaron Phillips via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Gaston Bolanos def. Aaron Phillips at UFC on ESPN 44: Best photos
Records: Gaston Bolanos (7-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Aaron Phillips (12-5 MMA, 0-4 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Nick Berens
Judging: Travis Buesking 29-28. Ross Swanberg, Henry Guery 30-27.
Bruna Brasil vs. Denise Gomes
Round 1 – Good leg kick to start things off by Brasil. Oh, Gomes drops Brasil with a leg kick and then lands a big right hands as she gets up. Gomes now pressing Brasil against the cage. Brasil reverses the position, and it is her who presses Gomes against the cage. Big knee by Gomes! Three minutes left. They briefly break free and Gomes pressures Brasil against the cage. Back to striking. Good right hand by Gomes. Good leg kicks by Gomes. One minute left. Oh! Huge right hand by Gomes. Brasil is wobbled. Brasil shoots for a takedown and gets it. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Gomes.
Round 2 – Another right hand by Gomes. That right hand just can’t miss. Gomes presses Brasil against the cage. Gomes briefly gets a takedown, but Brasil gets right back up. Brasil still being presses against the cage. They’re back to striking range. Gomes catches a kick and takes down Brasil. She’s now standing over Brasil while kicking her legs. Oh! Gomes floors Brasil with a huge right hook! Gomes all over a downed Brasil. It’s over! What a shot.
Result: Denise Gomes def. Bruna Brasil via TKO (right hook) – Round 2, 2:42.
Photos: Denise Gomes def. Bruna Brasil at UFC on ESPN 44: Best photos
Records: Denise Gomes (7-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Bruna Brasil (8-3-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Dwayne Bess
Lando Vannata vs. Daniel Zellhuber
Round 1 – Big kick by Zellhuber! Zellhuber looks much bigger than Vannata. Vannata throw a leg kicks of his own. Both fighters very tentative here. Good knees to the body by Zellhuber. Leg kick by Vannata. These two trading big leg kicks. Zellhuber wobbles Vannatta with a right hand! Zellhuber is all over him. Vannata goes down. Zellhuber going crazy with ground-and-pound. What a wild scene! Zellhuber truning down the pressure now, but he’s got Vannata against the cage and landing short shots. One minute left. Zellhuber now on top of Vannata, landing ground-and-pound. Vannata gets back to his feet. He seems to have recovered. The bell rings seconds after.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8, Zellhuber.
Round 2 – Vannata seems to have recovered well. Bot hguys trade leg kicks. Vannata’s face is battered. Big right hook by Vannata. Uppercut by Vannata! It seems Vannata has found his rhythm. Right hook lands for Vannata. Big left hook by Vannata. Zellhuber with a good hook to the body. Vannata catches a kick and almosy turns it into a takedown. Zellhuber gets immediately back up and back to striking. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Vannata.
Round 3 – Zellhuber comes out aggressive! He clips Vannata as he pressures him. Vannata’s mouthpiece falls out, and the fight is stopped for a few seconds. The action resumes. Vannata bleeding from his right eye. Good jabs by Zellhuber. He’s turned down the pressure now. Good uppercut by Vannata. Nice straight right by Zellhuber. Oh! A huge head kick connects for Zellhuber. Vannata seems to be stunned, but quickly recovers. Vannata pressuong Zellhuber now. Close round. These two trade shots till the final bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Zellhuber. Overall 29-27, Zellhuber.
Result: Daniel Zellhuber def. Lando Vannata via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Photos: Daniel Zellhuber def. Lando Vannata at UFC on ESPN 44: Best photos
Records: Daniel Zellhuber (13-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Lando Vannata (12-7-2 MMA, 4-7-2 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: Sal D’Amato 29-27. David Huyette 29-28. Travis Buesking 30-27.
Gillian Robertson vs. Piera Rodriguez
Round 1 – Good jabs by Rodriguez. Oh, and a nice left hook by Rodriguez. Rodriguez keeping her distance and staying on the outside while Robertson presses her. Nice one, two combo connects for Rodriguez. Robertson pulls guard. Three minutes left. Robertson reverses the position and gets Rodriguez on her back. Two minutes left. Robertson working from guard. One minute left. Robertson now in half guard. Robertson remains on top and controls the action until the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Rodriguez.
Round 2 – Robertson shoots for an early takedown and gets it. She immediately passes guard and is now working from side control. Robertson gets mount and lands a few shots on Rodriguez. Elbows from Robertson! Robertson in complete control. Rodriguez is bleeding. Robertson dominating the action here. Robertson attempts a kimura and Rodriguez gets out. Robertson goes for the armbar! It looks tight and referee Keith Peterson stops the action. Rodriguez complaining that she didn’t tap.
Result: Gillian Robertson def. Piera Rodriguez via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 4:21.
Recap: Gillian Robertson adds to submission record against Piera Rodriguez, who claims she didn’t tap
Photos: Gillian Robertson def. Piera Rodriguez at UFC on ESPN 44: Best photos
Records: Gillian Robertson (12-7 MMA, 9-5 UFC), Piera Rodriguez (9-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s strawweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson
Zak Cummings vs. Ed Herman
Round 1 – Cummings clips Herman early! Herman goes down to the canvas. He attacks Cummings with an armbar, but Cummings gets out. Herman gets back to his feet. Again, Herman gets clipped. The fights falls to the ground. An illegal up kick to the head from Herman stops the fight. After a few seconds, the action resumes. Cummings clips Herman again! Three minutes left. Big left hook by Cummings. What a chin on Herman. Good left by Herman. Good body shot by Cummings. Cummings with a clear strking advantage here. Cummings stuns Herman. Good body shot by Herman. Jab by Herman. Nice uppercut lands for Herman. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Cummings.
Round 2 – Cummings lands a left in the first seconds. Herman clinches him, but ends up getting pressed against the cage. They break free. Cummings drops Herman briefly. Herman back up. Crazy chin on Herman. Good jabs by Herman. Cummings bleeding from his left eye. They fight has slowed down considerably. Cummings drops Herman with a leg kick. Two minutes left. A left hook drops Herman! He’s badly hurt. Cummings jumps on him. Good ground-and-pound by Cummings. Elbows from Cummings. Another illegal upkick lands for Herman. The fight is paused. After a few seconds, the fight resumes. A point was taken from Herman. Cummings is battering Herman. Left hook by Herman. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8, Cummings.
Round 3 – Good one, two lands for Herman. Cummings drops Herman with a leg kick. Herman back up. Man, Cummings is just picking apart Herman on on the feet. This is extremely one-sided. Another leg kick drops Herman. Cummings lets him back up. Three minutes left. Herman is bleeding from his nose. Blood just keeps pouring. Cummings walking down Herman and landing at will. Huge left lands by Cummings. He’s battering Herman bad. Herman drops to the canvas. It’s over. No more damage for Herman.
Result: Zak Cummings def. Ed Herman via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:13.
Recap: Zak Cummings and Ed Herman have double retirement after UFC on ESPN 44 prelim bout
Photos: Zak Cummings def. Ed Herman at UFC on ESPN 44: Best photos
Records: Zak Cummings (25-7 MMA, 10-4 UFC), Ed Herman (27-16 MMA, 13-12 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Dwayne Bess
Matheus Nicolau vs. Brandon Royval
Round 1 – Royval putting the pressure on Nicolau, backing him up. Nicolau seems content staying on the outside. Good right hand by Nicolau. Not much has landed so far. Oh! Royval cracks Nicolau with a knee to the head! He’s badly hurt and drops to the canvas. Royval all over him. It’s over! What a shot!
Result: Brandon Royval def. Matheus Nicolau via KO (knee to the head) – Round 1, 2:09
Recap: Brandon Royval torches Matheus Nicolau in first with brutal strikes
Photos: Brandon Royval def. Matheus Nicolau at UFC on ESPN 44: Best photos
Records: Brandon Royval (15-6 MMA, 5-2 UFC), Matheus Nicolau (19-4-1 MMA, 7-2 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Nick Berens
Bill Algeo vs. TJ Brown
Round 1 – Algeo connecting early here. He lands a couple of left hooks, leg kicks and front kick. Brown getting tagged, but he’s eating the shots well and keeping the pressure on Algeo. Algeo shoots for a takedown and gets it. They scramble and Brown ends up pressing Algeo against the cage. Algeo breaks away, and they go wild by the cage! What a brawl. Brown connecting clean several times on Algeo. Hard leg kick by Brown. What a fun round. Algeo drops Brown with a jab, but he quickly gets back up. Algeo bleeding a lot from from his nose. Good right hand by Brown. they trade shots until the bell. Fun stuff.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Algeo.
Round 2 – Good leg kick by Algeo. Great leg kick from Brown as well. Algeo connects with a good combo and gets Brown to shoot for a takedown. Brown unable to hold down Algeo and he gets back up! Brown goes down! Hard elbow by Algeo. Algeo all over him as he follows him to the ground. Algeo is going for the rear-naked choke! And there’s the tap. Impressive showing by Algeo.
Result: Bill Algeo def. T.J. Brown via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:40
Photos: Bill Algeo def. TJ Brown at UFC on ESPN 44: Best photos
Records: Bill Algeo (17-7 MMA, 4-3 UFC), TJ Brown (17-10 MMA, 3-4 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Jason Herzog
Rafa Garcia vs. Clay Guida
Round 1 – Big leg kick by Garcia. Guida pressing Garcia here. They are throwing down early! Good jabs by Guida. Big leg kick by Garcia. Garcia is now the one pressing here. Garcia is getting the better of the shots here, he’s out striking Guida. Big one, two stuns Guida briefly. Two minutes left. Garcia with the far cleaner strikes. Clean jabs by Garcia. The bell rings. Clear round by Garcia.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Garcia.
Round 2 – Big uppercut from Garcia. Guida with volume, but nothing is landing clean. Oh, good right for Guida. Garcia with some nasty jabs. Guida’s face is battered. Guida shoots for a takedown, but gets stuffed by Garcia. Guida is bleeding from the left side of his face. Oh man, Garcia is picking part Guida. Garcia just keeps snapping back Guida’s head with punches. Guida unable to change the terms of the fight, which currently are all in favor of Garcia. Big right hand by Garcia. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Garcia.
Round 3 – Guida comes out aggressive, but with the same tactic. Good right by Guida. Nasty uppercut by Garcia. Big leg kick by Garcia. Guida is landing a bit more this round, but not enough to hurt Garcia. Again, Garcia is just picking apart Guida here. Failed takedown attempt by Guida. Oh, Garcia is pouring it on Guida here in the final minute. Guida is beat up, but still standing. Gracia closes the distance and presses Guida against the cage. They break free and strike to until the final bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Garcia. Overall 30-27, Garcia.
Result: Rafa Garcia def. Clay Guida via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Rafa Garcia def. Clay Guida at UFC on ESPN 44: Best photos
Records: Rafa Garcia (16-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC), Clay Guida (38-23 MMA, 18-17 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Dwayne Bess
Judging: Chris Lee, Sal D’Amato, Ross Swanberg 30-27.
Chris Gutierrez vs. Pedro Munhoz
Round 1 – Good jab by Gutierrez. Oh! Munhoz sits down Gutierrez with a huge hook! Munhoz follows him to the ground and now finds himself in his guard. Gutierrez seems to have recovered, and he’s defending well from bottom. Munhoz moves to side control. He tried to go for a foot lock, but Gutierrez escaped. Munhoz controlling Gutierrez against the cage. Munhoz drops for a leg lock, fails, and Gutierrez lets him back up. Munhoz and Gutierrez trading big shots. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Munhoz.
Round 2 – Good leg kick by Gutierrez. Munhoz with constant pressure on Gutierrez. Gutierrez with another nasty leg kick. Both fighters landing tons of leg kicks here, not many shots to the head. The crowd boos. Very little action here. Gutierrez and Munhoz just kind of follow each other until the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Munhoz.
Round 3 – They keep trading leg kicks, but neither has yet to affect the other with them. Their movement looks fine. The crowd is booing. Good jabs by Gutierrez. Munhoz with non-stop pressure. Gutierrez upping the jab here. Two minutes left. Tons of leg kicks being traded, not much more. Crowd is not liking it. Gutierrez is bleeding from his nose. Good left from Munhoz. Munhoz with a right hook. Gutierrez goes for a wild spinning kicks in the final seconds and ends on bottom with Munhoz on top. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Munhoz. Overall 30-27, Munhoz.
Result: Pedro Munhoz def. Chris Gutierrez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Pedro Munhoz def. Chris Gutierrez at UFC on ESPN 44: Best photos
Records: Pedro Munhoz (20-7 MMA, 10-7 UFC), Chris Gutierrez (19-4-2 MMA, 7-2-1 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: Brian Puccillo, Travis Buesking, Henry Guery 30-27.
Tanner Boser vs. Ion Cutelaba
Round 1 – Cutelaba comes put pressuing Boser. A couple of shots come in landing from Cutelaba. Good jab by Boser. Another one. Oh! Huge right hand by Cutelaba. Boser is rocked. Cutelaba takes him down and is raining down punches. The shots are adding up. It’s over. Cutelaba gets himself a first round stoppage.
Result: Ion Cutelaba def. Tanner Boser via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:05
Recap: Ion Cutelaba spoils Tanner Boser’s light heavyweight debut by TKO
Photos: Ion Cutelaba def. Tanner Boser at UFC on ESPN 44: Best photos
Records: Ion Cutelaba (17-9-1 MMA, 6-8-1 UFC), Tanner Boser (20-10-1 MMA, 4-5 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Keith Peterson
Dustin Jacoby vs. Azamat Murzakanov
Round 1 – Murzakanov comes out pressuring, being the shorter fighter and Jacoby looking to keep his distance. Big left by Murzakanov. Another left lands for Murzakanov. Good jabs from Jacoby. Oh, Murzakanov drops Jacoby with a right. Jacoby gets up and Murzakanov pressuring him non-stop. A body shot now lands for Murzakanov. Jacoby seems to have recovered. Leg kick by Murzakanov. One minute left. Another left lands for Murzakanov. Murzakanov shoots for a single leg and gets it with ease. Lef to the body by Murzakanov. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Murzakanov.
Round 2 – Jacoby needs something big to turn things around. Good jabs by Jacoby. Murzakanov shoots for a takedown and Jacoby defends it. He now presses Murzakanov against the cage. Jacoby controlling, but doing very little damage here. Murzakanov breaks free. They’re back to striking. Murzakanov seems to be slowing down, while Jacoby is upping his attack. Oh! Murzakanov drops Jacoby. He’s hurt bad. Murzakanov head-hunting, but the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Murzakanov.
Round 3 – Jacoby needs a finish here and he’s fighting like it. Murzakanov is always dangerous, but he’s slowing down. Good right-hand snaps Murzakanov’s head back. Good jabs by Jacoby. Murzakanov is fading. Good jabs by Jacoby. One, two lands by Jacoby. Murzakanov is on the back foot. Three minutes left. Murzakanov shoots for a takedown, but gets stuffed. Jacoby now pressing Murzakanov against the cage. They break free. Jacoby gets the takedown. Murzakanov gets back up. One minute left. Jacoby keeps working for the takedown by the fence, but Murzakanov defending well. Murzakanov gets loose and the bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Jacoby. Overall 29-28, Murzakanov.
Result: Azamat Murzakanov def. Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Azamat Murzakanov def. Dustin Jacoby at UFC on ESPN 44: Best photos
Records: Azamat Murzakanov (13-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Dustin Jacoby (18-7-1 MMA, 6-4-1 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Nick Berens
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Brian Puccillo, Ross Swanberg 29-28.
Edson Barboza vs. Billy Quarantillo
Round 1 – Quarantillo immediately tries to take down Barboza and fails. Barboza gets some space and begins to drop nasty leg kicks. More leg kicks. Quarantillo with a few good jabs. Quarantillo shoots for the takedown, fails, but presses Barboza against the cage. Barboza breaks loose, and back to striking. What! Nasty knee sleeps Quarantillo. Oh my! Barboza with an incredible finish.
Result: Edson Barboza def. Billy Quarantillo via KO (knee to the head) – Round 1, 2:37
Recap: Edson Barboza slumps Billy Quarantillo with vicious knee KO
Photos: Edson Barboza def. Billy Quarantillo at UFC on ESPN 44: Best photos
Records: Edson Barboza (23-11 MMA, 17-11 UFC), Billy Quarantillo (17-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Keith Peterson
Max Holloway vs. Arnold Allen
Round 1 – Allen landing calf kicks immediately. Low blow lands for Allen. The fight is briefly paused and it resumes. One, two lands for Holloway. Huge left hand connects for Allen. Holloway just eats it. Three minutes left. A lot of reading from both fighters. Holloway connects with a solid left. Holloway with some combos, but most are blocked by Allen. A few good shots connect for Holloway. The bell rings. Very close contest, but Holloway seemed to have more volume.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Holloway.
Round 2 – Huge left lands for Allen! Allen getting aggressive here and connects with a few good shots. Another big left by Allen. So far, Holloway has eaten them well. Leg kick by Allen. Great start here by Allen. Another left hook by the British fighter. Holloway with a couple of leg kicks. Two minutes left. Allen constantly chasing Holloway. Another left from Allen. Tons of success with that left hand from Allen. Good body kick by Holloway. Allen is bleeding a bit from his nose. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Allen.
Round 3 – Big left by Allen. By far his most successful strike. Holloway is bleeding from his left eye. Holloway is throwing, but a lot of hitting Allen’s guard. Big left hook connects for Allen. Good jabs by Allen. He’s been landing by far the cleaner shots of the round. Hard leg kick by Holloway. Allen keeps stepping to his right to get Holloway to line up with his left hand. Good body kick by Holloway. Another one. Jab by Holloway. Holloway with another body kick. The bell rings. Close round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Holloway.
Round 4 – Holloway finding good success with body kicks. A couple land here at the start of Round 4. Holloway is starting to find his rhythm, and it seems he’s pulling away in what’s been a very competitive fight. Huge straight left for Allen! What a chin on Holloway. Holloway with a hard kick to the body. Allen with a right now, he’s getting aggressive. One minute left. The two trade shots till the final bell, but both defensively sound. Close round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Holloway.
Round 5 – Big left lands for Allen. He’s coming in for the kill. Another one. That’s three left hands. Holloway with a good spinning elbow. Body kick by Holloway. Allen clinches Holloway and pushes him against the cage. It doesn’t take long for Holloway to break free. Huge head kick connects for Allen. Monster chin by Holloway. Two minutes left. Allen with crazy pressure right now. Another left connects for Allen. Allen presses Holloway against the cage. Good knees by Allen. They break away and both connect! It seems Allen stunned Holloway, but later got wobbled. The bell rings. Great fight.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Allen. Overall 48-47, Holloway.
Result: Max Holloway def. Arnold Allen via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
Recap: Max Holloway wins unanimous decision to give Arnold Allen first UFC loss
Photos: Max Holloway def. Arnold Allen at UFC on ESPN 44: Best photos
Records: Max Holloway (24-7 MMA, 20-7 UFC), Arnold Allen (19-2 MMA, 10-1 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Jason Herzog
Judging: Chris Lee, Sal D’Amato 49-46. Travis Buesking 48-47.
