Calvin Kattar is an elite fighter at 145 pounds, and of that, there is no doubt. Whether or not he is a true challenger to the featherweight division crown, however, is another question. Currently ranked fifth, he’ll look to hold onto his title positioning at UFC Vegas 63 on Saturday against No.6 Arnold Allen. This battle for rankings is the only contest between ranked fighters as the organization comes down after UFC 280. Up and down the card, Saturday’s event features athletes that are looking to keep their roster spot in pursuit of a ranking themselves. That fire will surely make for a great card.
Watch UFC Vegas 63
- When: Saturday, October 29, 2022
- Prelims Start Time: 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT
- Main Card Start Time: 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
- Location: UFC APEX – Las Vegas, Nevada
- How to Watch: ESPN+
Aside from the main event, one of the bigger fights on the card is the main card opener between No.13 Dustin Jacoby and Khalil Rountree Jr. in the light heavyweight division. Jacoby enters the last fight of his UFC contract, riding a four-fight winning streak and could cash in with a victory. A win would not only translate to a more lucrative deal but could put him in line to battle for a spot in the top 10. After trying to fight Rountree once before, he gets his opportunity with a lot on the line.
Kattar vs Allen Preview
Nearly two years ago, Kattar fought Max Holloway in a title eliminator for a shot at the featherweight belt. After losing by decision in Fight of the Night fashion, he took his time getting back in the Octagon, actually taking a year off. Upon his return this last January, he shook off the rust by earning a five-round unanimous decision victory over then No.8 Giga Chikadze. Appearing like he might be on his way right back to title contention, Kattar hit a snag this summer when he lost by split decision to Josh Emmett, dropping him to the fringe of the top five despite another Fight of the Night performance.
Where Kattar has been is exactly where Allen is aspiring to get to, and Saturday’s contest is the perfect opportunity to continue to climb the rankings. The “Almighty” has yet to taste defeat in the UFC after 10 appearances. He has earned three finishes with the promotion, twice by submission, and most recently with a TKO win over Dan Hooker his last time out. A slight underdog against Kattar at +110, Allen is a slightly shorter fighter by three inches at 5’8”, surrendering two inches in arm reach as well.
Saturday’s main event features a stylistic mismatch with a wrestler in Allen against a striker in Kattar. A contest that could go the distance, it would be interesting to see how Allen handles the championship rounds. He hasn’t fought in a headline event yet in the UFC.
UFC Vegas 63 Fight Card and Odds*
Main Card
- #5 Calvin Kattar (-130) vs #6 Arnold Allen (+110) – Featherweight
- Tim Means (+160) vs Max Griffin (-190) – Welterweight
- Waldo Cortes Acosta (–) vs Jared Vanderaa (–) – Heavyweight
- Josh Fremd (-190) vs Tresean Gore (+160) – Middleweight
- #13 Dustin Jacoby (-165) vs Khalil Rountree Jr. (+140) – Light Heavyweight
Preliminary Card
- Phil Hawes (-155) vs Roman Dolidze – Middleweight
- Andrei Arlovski (+150) vs Marcos Rogerio de Lima (-175) – Heavyweight
- Joseph Holmes (+200) vs Junyong Park (-240) – Middleweight
- Chase Hooper (-210) vs Steve Garcia (+180) – Featherweight
- Kleydson Rodrigues (-175) vs Cordy Durden (+150) – Flyweight
- Christian Rodriguez (-200) vs Garrett Armfield (+170) – Bantamweight
