Calvin Kattar looked to bounce back from a controversial split decision loss to Josh Emmett last time out, while the surging Arnold Allen looked to insert himself into the featherweight title conversation. A win, in other words, was crucial to both men in the UFC Vegas 63 main event, which arrived Saturday at the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
With the pair circling early, there was a bit of a chess match while both men found their range. Initially, a couple of kicks were exchanged, first one from Allen, later a harder shot from Kattar. Allen would eventually connect with a left; moments later he landed a kick to the body. Kattar answered with a right hand up top.
Allen. who had never been past the third round prior to UFC Vegas 63, was arguably a little more active early. His left hand landed again, as Kattar flashed stance switches. Arnold moved in, ripping a combo then exiting as Kattar covered up. Kattar worked his jab with the pair back at center, then worked his counters as Allen pressed on. Allen appeared to have found his range, meanwhile, clipping Katter with a left in a sequence that saw him land the blow three times.
Then, tragedy. Kattar appeared to launch into a jump knee, only to blow the landing, and potentially his knee. Allen followed him to the ground, looking for a choke after landing some punches. The buzzer ended the round, but questions regarding the integrity of Kattar’s knee remained.
The doc was brought in between rounds, but Kattar said he was ready to go. One calf kick later, and the fight was over. Right off the opening of round two, Allen fired, landed, and Kattar went down, covering up. He knee simply gave out on him, being a premature end to the bout. A win for Allen nevertheless, who had won the opening round clean before the injury. He’s now won 12 straight fights, is undefeated in the UFC — and with Alexander Volkanovski moonlighting at lightweight, suggested an interim title shot next.
Official Result: Arnold Allen def. Calvin Katter by TKO, Round 2, 0:08
