UFC Fight Night: Sodiq Yusuff vs. Arnold Allen betting odds, preview, and pick
April 5th, 2021
In a classic brains-versus-brawn matchup, Sodiq Yusuff and Arnold Allen will meet in what should be an exciting featherweight clash.
The fight serves as the chief undercard bout for the UFC on ABC event, scheduled for April 10. We have a preview and pick to make you the big winner on fight night.
Yusuff vs. Allen tale of the tape
| Sodiq Yusuff (11-1) | Arnold Allen (16-1) |
|---|
27 | Age | 27 |
5’9” | Height | 5’8” |
71” | Reach | 70” |
5-0 | Last five fights | 5-0 |
Active striker | Key intangibles | Striking selection |
Allen has a balanced technique
Though Yusuff is getting the benefit of the doubt in this close fight, Allen enters this fight with a bigger tool belt. Allen's excellent footwork sets up his offense and boosts his defense. He is also a solid wrestler and can be dangerous in the pocket.
Allen also benefits as a southpaw. Yusuff is a straight-up striker who attempts no takedowns. It is not easy to do that against a defensive-minded southpaw who can strike and move.
While Allen hasn’t scored a striking stoppage in quite some time, he has shown enough sting in his shots to suggest he is popping hard enough for his opponents to respect his power.
BIG left lands for @ArnoldBFA!! #UFCLondon pic.twitter.com/v1JGmUWNjY
— UFC (@ufc) March 18, 2017
Yusuff will press the action
Yusuff won’t respect Allen’s power, because his own offense has overwhelmed his opponents. He is an extremely accurate striker, and he always pressures his opponents from bell to bell.
An eye-catching statistic is Yusuff’s significant strikes per minute. He lands a devastating 6.10 strikes at 49% accuracy, but also boasts an impressive 72% takedown defense. To win this fight, he has to rely on that aggression and hope he hits pay dirt early.
Allen should hang on for a decision
Allen will be in danger from the opening bell, but it will be in those crucial opening moments where we’ll see how he can diffuse Yusuff’s offense. The longer the fight goes, it will almost certainly be going Allen’s way.
There won’t be a moment where Yusuff takes his foot off the gas, but an ineffective offense means he’ll just be a plodding punching bag. While there might be a few instances where he’ll back Allen up against the cage, Allen will be too slippery for Yusuff to pin down.
Allen will pack a lunch, get through some early trouble, and pick Yusuff apart. He’ll hit Yusuff enough to slow him down, then potshot his way to a clear decision win.
MMA free pick: Allen (+110)
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