TriStar’s Arnold Allen maintained his perfect record inside the octagon with a win over Nik Lentz at UFC Raleigh.
There are grudge matches. There are sporting contests, occasionally even friendly. And then there are fights that come together through pure happenstance. That was the case at UFC Raleigh with Nik Lentz vs. Arnold Allen.
Both men were originally scheduled to face other opponents on the Fight Night card. Allen had been set for a step up against Josh Emmett. Lentz had been due to tangle with Nad Narimani.
Injury would scuttle those plans, however. And left with little alternative, the UFC found a simple solution: book Allen and Lentz against each other.
Plenty of action early unfolded early when the pair got underway in Raleigh, with Allen holding center for a bit. Both men landed, though it was more in the way of single strikes than combinations. Lentz was soon showing some damage upstairs, and perhaps that was behind his decision to pursue a takedown. Allen defended well, but was soon trying to keep Lentz off his back. Lentz finished with a throw, trying to find the time and space to land a few punches before Allen popped back up. They would continue their battle on the feet til the end of the frame.
Round two saw Lentz press forward, leading with his jab and mixing in kicks. Allen answered back, and a left hand at the end of a combination rocked Nik Lentz! Lentz was wobbled, but managed to avoid taking too much in the way of additional damaged. The moment may have passed, but Allen tied things up and pushed his opponent against the cage. That didn’t last long, and they’d head back out into the open to continue exchanging. Allen’s left hand was on display again a little later. Allen seemed to have the ability to slip Lentz’s kicks. As the round progressed, he appeared to be pulling away, although Lentz would land a knee, and later a right hand that opened up a takedown attempt.
If Nik Lentz wanted to have a chance at coming out the winner Saturday, something needed to change in the third round. Lentz still appeared to have plenty in the tank, and the pair exchanged through most of the final frame. Fairly even, as Lentz hung in, and even came on strong at the end, landing a left hook before the buzzer. But it wasn’t enough, as Allen walked away with the unanimous decision win.
Official Results: Arnold Allen def. Nik Lentz by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
