Holloway (24-7 MMA, 20-7 UFC) recovered from his July title-fight loss to Alexander Volkanovski, earning a unanimous decision victory over Allen (19-2 MMA, 10-1 UFC) at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO.
Arnold Allen is a warrior and deserves to stay in the top five
The loser of Volk vs Yair should be next for Allen as Holloway awaits to see what happens on IFW #UFCKansasCity
— Jordan Lopez (@JordanTLopez) April 16, 2023
Allen entered the bout with an impressive 10-fight winning streak in the octagon, but “Blessed” disrupted his momentum and shifted the conversation in the 145-pound division.
In the night’s co-main event, Edson Barboza reaffirmed his status as a formidable contender in the lightweight division, delivering a precisely timed and accurately placed knee to knock out the up-and-coming Billy Quarantillo.
EDSON BARBOZA SHUTS THE LIGHTS OUT 😱 #UFCKansasCity pic.twitter.com/i9k5oXfNod
— UFC (@ufc) April 16, 2023
Meanwhile, Azamat Murzakanov maintained his undefeated record and solidified his position as a threatening presence in the light heavyweight division, securing a unanimous decision victory.
Still undefeated!!
Azamat Murzakanov moves to 13-0 with a decision win over Dustin Jacoby #UFCKansasCity pic.twitter.com/yjqAg0838Z
— UFC (@ufc) April 16, 2023
UFC Fight Night Holloway vs Allen Results & Highlights
- Main Event: Max Holloway (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) defeats Arnold Allen by Unanimous Decision
Max Holloway vs Arnold Allen #ufc #KansasCity #Highlights
Max got the decision over Allen in the main event. #MMA pic.twitter.com/NycZcuAt21— Ufc_fanboy_2022 (@SahilTa49729420) April 17, 2023
- Co-Main Event: Edson Barboza defeats Billy Quarantillo by KO (knee) at 2:37 of Round 1
- Azamat Murzakanov (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) defeats Dustin Jacoby by Unanimous Decision
- Ion Cutelaba defeats Tanner Boser by TKO (strikes) at 2:05 of Round 1
- Pedro Munhoz (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) defeats Chris Gutierrez by Unanimous Decision
- Rafa Garcia (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) defeats Clay Guida by Unanimous Decision
Max Holloway vs Arnold Allen
An unintentional kick to Holloway’s groin by Allen paused the fight briefly within the first minute. Upon resuming, Holloway’s striking was sharp, as he penetrated Allen’s defense with precise combinations that left visible marks on Arnold’s face. Allen attempted head kicks multiple times but struggled to land them effectively.
In the second round, Allen accelerated the action, throwing combinations and managing to connect with the former champ. With Allen taking the lead, Holloway adopted a counter-striking approach, which proved successful. The round was difficult to judge.
Max Holloway has surpassed 3,000 significant strikes landed in his UFC career #UFCKansasCity
UNREAL 🤯 pic.twitter.com/LA7RL4if5R
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 16, 2023
Holloway opened the third round with a quick flurry that caught Allen off guard. He effectively evaded Allen’s punches and dominated the cage, landing powerful body kicks that bruised Allen’s ribs. As the fight progressed, Holloway maintained control with a strong jab and nimble footwork. Despite being bloodied, Allen persisted with his head kicks but couldn’t find success.
25 minutes done!
Decision between these two up next at #UFCKansasCity pic.twitter.com/F3njurxsxc
— UFC (@ufc) April 16, 2023
The final round saw Allen come out swinging, landing heavy punches on Holloway. In response, Max delivered knees and a spinning elbow, regaining control. Although Allen’s head kicks began to make contact, Holloway ultimately floored him with a final flurry, marking an exciting conclusion to the fight.
Max Holloway is an absolute class act 🙌 #UFCKansasCity pic.twitter.com/2bHQpXn5fn
— UFC (@ufc) April 16, 2023
Edson Barboza vs. Billy Quarantillo
Quarantillo wasted no time in closing the gap and pushing Barboza against the cage. Barboza escaped and counterattacked with leg strikes, forcing Quarantillo to revert to grappling. Barboza managed to avoid being taken down and, in a decisive moment, landed a powerful knee on Quarantillo as he changed levels. The blow floored Billy, ending the fight in spectacular fashion.
Azamat Murzakanov vs. Dustin Jacoby
Azamat Murzakanov maintained his undefeated status and proved himself a formidable contender in the light heavyweight division with a unanimous decision victory. Murzakanov rocked Jacoby in the first round and again late in the second, but the seasoned kickboxer refused to back down. As Murzakanov’s energy waned in the third round, Jacoby turned up the pressure. Despite this, Murzakanov held on until the final bell, preserving his flawless record.
At 34 years old, the “Professional” now boasts a 3-0 UFC record and a 13-0 overall career record. Although his performance diminished in the latter half of the fight, his early dominance over Jacoby keeps him an exciting veteran talent to watch. Meanwhile, Jacoby, who once enjoyed an eight-fight unbeaten run, has now suffered two consecutive losses.
Ion Cutelaba vs. Tanner Boser
Ion Cutelaba made Tanner Boser’s entry into the light heavyweight division a rough one, taking him down in the first round. After a cautious start with both fighters exchanging long-range strikes, Cutelaba landed a solid right hand on Boser, sending him reeling to the ground. “The Hulk” then capitalized, taking Boser down and securing a first-round stoppage win. This victory ended Cutelaba’s three-fight losing streak, earning him his third first-round finish and sixth UFC win. As for Boser, he now has two consecutive losses and four in his last five fights.
Pedro Munhoz vs. Chris Gutierrez
Pedro Munhoz ended his two-fight losing streak and halted Chris Gutierrez’s eight-fight unbeaten run in a close and competitive bantamweight match. Munhoz knocked Gutierrez down with a left hook in the first round, but couldn’t capitalize as Gutierrez effectively neutralized him on the ground. In the second round, both fighters exchanged low-impact strikes without landing anything significant. The intensity picked up in the third round, with Munhoz maintaining pressure on Gutierrez throughout.
The judges were tasked with determining the winner, and they unanimously awarded Munhoz the victory. The Brazilian veteran notched his first win since defeating Jimmie Rivera in February 2021 and the 20th victory of his professional career.
Rafa Garcia vs. Clay Guida
Rafa Garcia showcased a quick, effective jab to secure the most significant victory of his UFC career against Clay Guida in the main card opener. Garcia consistently met Guida’s advances with his sharp jab, using it as the foundation for his striking offense. Each time Guida attempted to close the distance and counter, Garcia held his ground and snapped Guida’s head back. Despite Guida’s resilience, Garcia dominated the fight.
The 28-year-old now boasts back-to-back wins and four victories in his last five Octagon appearances, bringing his overall record to 15-3. As for Guida, this loss puts him at 6-6 since rejoining the lightweight division and 18-17 in his 35-fight UFC career.
As RDX Sports celebrates these remarkable achievements of the top fighters with you, we also vow to maintain our coverage and support for upcoming events, fostering an environment that encourages athletes to push their limits and reach new heights.
Join us in applauding the outstanding performances of these athletes and stay tuned for our continued coverage and support of their incredible journeys in the world of combat sports.
