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Posted at 12:00 AM EST (Friday). Odds subject to change.

UFC 304

PPV on ESPN+

Wager: Giga Chikadze (+185 at Pinnacle & SportsInteraction)

10:15 PM EST. Giga Chikadze stormed onto the UFC's featherweight scene when he joined the promotion 5 years ago. Now 35-years old, the elite kickboxer mowed through his first 7 opponents, showing off his explosive and lightning quick striking against formidable names like Edson Barbosa, Cub Swanson, and most recently Alex Caceres. Even in his only UFC loss, a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Calvin Kattar, one of the division's top-weight contenders, Chikadze showed off faster and more dynamic striking throughout the bout. Kattar's endurance and high-level wrestling ability ended up being the difference, but it wasn't a bad look for the Georgian. If anything, Chikadze needed the humbling to modify parts of his style, since he never faced a guy like Kattar prior. His improvement showed in his next win against Caceres, a rangey and crafty attacker who's rarely outperformed on the feet. Gigadze left no doubt, displaying a more technical approach and methodical style in an unanimous decision victory.

Arnold Allen's career hasn't been as inspiring. Entering the UFC when he was just 21 years old, the "Almighty's" slow-moving (and often boring) style granted him just one fight per year on average. He did what he was supposed to do, climbing the ranks and riding a 12-fight win-streak at one point. Eventually he earned some high-quality wins over Dan Hooker and Calvin Kattar, although the latter ended in the second round thanks to a knee injury to Kattar. In recent history, Allen found himself on the losing end in his last two affairs, failing by unanimous decision to Max Holloway (no shame in that), followed by Mosvar Evleov (there's a little shame in that, since Evleov is attempting to make the same ascension as Allen). 

In recent bouts, Allen has shown more aggression and moxie, likely recognizing the need to amplify his style to at least attempt a shot at stardom. That decision has obviously come with mixed results. Giga Chikadze will not relent when he's in the octagon, and while Allen proved many times that he has good durability, "Ninja" Chikadze's striking is different. His snap-kicks are brutal when they land, his leg-kicks are constant and precise, and one clean punch will be enough to knock Allen off his guard. Of course, Allen packs a powerful punch, too, but we just don't see as many avenues for the Brit to find success. If this goes to a decision, Giga's activity and highlight-reel power should win the hearts of the judges, even in hostile territory. The value solely lies on the side of the underdog; anyone with a brain could make a case that this should be much closer to even. Yet, because it's England, these odds will likely only rise. Might want to wait and fire right before the first bell.

Farley

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