Arnold Allen v Max Holloway: UFC Kansas City fight report

The Trimley St Martin man suffered his first defeat in the UFC, dropping to 19-2 (10-1 UFC) as Holloway won a close, technical featherweight fight on points.

The man once considered the best in the entire sport claimed the victory by cards of 49-46 twice and 48-47. Your writer scored it 48-47 to Holloway.

After two cagey opening rounds, with Allen landing several counter left hands, Holloway impressed in the third, likely taking a 2-1 lead on the scorecards.

Arnold Allen, right, suffered his first UFC defeat against Max Holloway in Kansas City (Image: PA Wire)

The fourth was close too, with Allen scoring with punches while Holloway picked and peppered with volume and body kicks.

The Suffolk southpaw was told by his corner that he needed a stoppage in the final round and he responded with some big shots, pushing Holloway back and at times looking close to making a serious dent.

But the veteran former champ found a way to survive, and finished the fight with an advantage in the striking numbers, outlanding the Suffolk star by 138 to 95 over the course of the battle.

Holloway, who improved to 24-7 (20-7 UFC), said after the fight that Allen 'hit like a truck' and branded him 'a beast of a man.'

A clearly dejected Allen said: "Max has been around a long time, he's one of the best.

"He's an inspiration to me, I love the man. I watch his fights and it brings me on."

Arnold Allen, right, remains one of the best featherweight fighters on the planet (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

In defeat, Allen surely enhances his stock, having shown he is more than capable of competing with the very best in the world, given Holloway's incredible resume.

He remains among the best fighters in the featherweight division, and will likely want to jump back into action soon, and look to start the climb back towards a potential world title shot.

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