The UFC makes its long-awaited return to Kansas City this weekend for a guaranteed banger in the main event of perennial no.1 contender Max Holloway taking on the no.4 ranked Arnold Allen, with key fan favourite featherweights Edson Barboza and Billy Quarantillo facing off in the co-main. For those who are on the fence about tuning in to a great night of fights, or the hardcore audience who just needs another reason to get excited, here are the Five Reasons to Watch UFC Kansas City: Holloway vs. Allen.
Tanner Boser’s Light Heavyweight Debut
The UFC 4-4 former heavyweight Tanner Boser’s skills exceed what his UFC record may suggest – the Canadian boasts a 100% finish rate inside the UFC, with his four losses all coming by decision. The drop to 205 is an unconventional one in the upper divisions of the UFC, as we see 205ers make the step up in weight more often than the vice versa. Boser’s drop down in weight gives us high hopes for his future in a division that desperately needs new talent; speed, cardio, and availability of stylistic matchups all await Boser in his new weight class. Boser takes on the finish-or-get-finished Ion Cutelaba, one of the most hilarious and entertaining fighters at 205, who is probably best known by his weigh-in antics, but will definitely provide Tanner Boser with a violent welcome to 205.
Billy Q’s Next Test
The charismatic DWCS alum Billy Quarantillo faces what is likely his toughest test to date in Edson Barboza. Despite the loss, Billy Q’s banger of a match with Shane Burgos graduated the him from prospect to bona fide 145 contenders, which he followed with a beatdown of Alexander Hernandez last December, earning him performance of the night. Edson Barboza holds a KO win over Burgos, Quarantillo’s most recent loss in another excellent striking match, giving us the excitement of closing up one of 145’s own violence triangles.
Arnold Allen Joins the Title Picture
Title implications are seemingly on the line should Arnold Allen collect a win over Max Holloway in their riveting main event fight. On a ten-fight UFC win streak (12-fight win streak overall), Allen’s win streak and consistent improvement mimic that of fellow UK UFC fighter Leon Edwards. With Holloway now sitting on 3 losses to the 145 Champion (and soon defending) Alexander Volkanovski, a win from Allen this weekend could provide a fresh challenge for Volk or a beautiful, striking matchup with Yair Rodriguez.
Royval vs. Nicolau
Flying under the radar of many, Brandon Royval fights Matheus Nicolau in what is a major fight for both men, projecting the winner into title contention. With the recent booking of Deiveson Figueiredo vs Manel Kape, this fight puts the winner in a clear no.2 contender spot, with the 125 division continuing to solidify its relevance in the UFC, giving fans more matchmaking hypotheticals.
Max Holloway
Max Holloway is the man responsible for the most significant strikes and some of the most memorable performances in UFC history. The man who hasn’t had a boring fight in his UFC career and who probably won’t deliver one during the remainder of it. Much discourse has surrounded Holloway as of late, specifically his prime and whether he is still at the height of his career or tapering off. A fight against the always-ready Arnold Allen provides the fans with an excellent test of this – a win here for Holloway would reestablish his name in the division that was long his and give us the excitement of more Max Holloway bangers to come. Regardless of the opponent or the card leading up to his fight, Max Holloway’s presence on UFC Fight Night: Kansas City is a good enough reason to tune in just by itself.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
