5 blockbuster fights to book in the UFC featherweight division

#2. Calvin Kattar vs. Arnold Allen

Arnold Allen has emerged as the dark horse in the UFC featherweight division since joining the promotion in 2015. The understated Englishman boasts an excellent professional record of 18-1. He is incredibly well-rounded, with six knockouts and four submissions under his belt.

Allen isn't as vocal as some of the other fighters at 145 pounds. He prefers to do his talking with his fists and is currently riding an 11-fight win streak. While his skills are undeniable, his stock has remained stagnant owing to his unassuming demeanor.

Moreover, between 2019 and 2021, Arnold Allen had four fights in a row that went to the judges' decision. He went through a period where he struggled to put away his opponents. Allen finally had his breakthrough performance at UFC London in March 2022, where he secured a first-round TKO victory over perennial lightweight contender Dan Hooker.

The win over Hooker saw Allen claim the No.6 spot in the UFC featherweight rankings. 'Almighty' will likely need a couple more wins before competing for the title. The ideal next opponent for the Brit would be No.5-ranked Calvin Kattar.

After his devastating loss to Max Holloway in January 2021, Kattar wisely took a year-long hiatus from the octagon. He returned to action a year after his defeat to 'Blessed' when he took on Giga Chikadze at UFC Vegas 46.

Chikadze was riding a nine-fight win streak going into the bout and was touted as a real threat to Alexander Volkanovski, the featherweight kingpin. The general consensus was that this was an unfavorable matchup for Kattar. As such, he was listed on multiple betting sites as a sizeable underdog.

Kattar silenced his doubters with a spectacular domination of Chikadze. He somewhat surprisingly outstruck his Georgian counterpart, who's an experienced kickboxer and excellent striker. The final scorecards read as 50-44, 50-45 and 50-45 in favor of the Bostonian, who earned an impressive victory in what was arguably his strongest performance yet.

Without a doubt, a potential fight between Arnold Allen and Calvin Kattar will produce fireworks. Both featherweights are fantastic strikers and are unlikely to shoot for takedowns. Considering their seemingly limitless gas tanks and durability, this has to be a five-round fight.

With the UFC eyeing a return to England later this year, this matchup is the ideal main event.

Arnold Allen vs. Calvin Kattar [Image via @CombatSportsUK on Twitter]

---

#1. Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway 3 – UFC featherweight championship bout

The moniker of ‘featherweight GOAT’ has changed hands multiple times in the UFC. Jose Aldo reigned over the division for a very long time before being beaten by Max Holloway twice. Holloway was the titleholder for two years before suffering a somewhat similar fate to the former champion, Aldo.

The Hawaiian was dethroned by Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 245 in 2019, where the Australian outpointed 'Blessed' to earn a unanimous decision victory. Subsequently, a rematch was booked for UFC 251 in 2020.

In their rematch, Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway engaged in yet another tactical affair. Holloway clearly won the first two rounds, dropping the Aussie champion twice in the opening 10 minutes. However, Volkanovski turned the tide later on, outstriking 'Blessed' in the final two rounds. The third round was very close and could’ve gone either way. 'The Great' was awarded a split-decision win.

Strip away all the debates as to who won both bouts, and one thing becomes undeniably clear – Volkanovski and Holloway are so evenly matched. Arguably, the reigning Australian titleholder might just have the former champion’s number.

Holloway is the best volume striker in MMA. In his fights against Brian Ortega and Calvin Kattar, the Hawaiian broke numerous striking records. He famously drowns his opponents with his relentless output and cardio. 'Blessed' has struggled to carry out the same gameplan against Volkanovski and has been outstruck by the Australian over the collective 50 minutes they’ve shared in the octagon.

A trilogy bout between the two is inevitable. With no clear No.1 contender in the division at the moment other than Holloway, expect them to lock horns later this year.