Dave Allen vs Arslanbek Makhmudov: Preview & Betting Tips

Beneath Allen’s humour and self-deprecation lies a fighter who has matured immensely over the past few years. Once considered an underachiever with raw talent and questionable discipline, Allen has turned a corner. His stunning fifth-round knockout over the previously undefeated Johnny Fisher underlines that. 

In their first meeting, many had Allen winning the fight by three or four rounds. However, the judges ultimately ruled in favour of Fisher. Without hesitation, Allen accepted the rematch and worked even harder under trainer Jamie Moore. As a result, he strolled to a KO win in the second fight.

The blueprint to beat Makhmudov has slowly emerged. As opponents have begun to survive past those early rounds, Makhmudov’s stamina and defensive flaws have been increasingly exposed. Once his initial flurries die down, he tends to become predictable, flat-footed, and vulnerable to counters. Against a durable, battle-tested fighter like Allen, that’s a dangerous prospect.

Allen vs Makhmudov: Prediction & Betting Tips

This fight has all the ingredients for a brutal, fan-friendly clash. Expect a furious start, with Makhmudov throwing heavy artillery early, testing Allen’s chin and composure. But as the rounds progress, the momentum should shift. Allen’s jab, body work, and intelligent pressure could gradually wear down the Russian, forcing mistakes and openings.

Allen’s biggest advantage is his experience against top-tier opposition. Having shared the ring with the likes of Dillian Whyte, Luis Ortiz, and David Price, he’s been in deep waters before and he’s shown that he can take punishment while staying mentally composed. It’s also worth remembering the amount of spars Allen has had with elite European heavyweights such as Oleksandr Usyk, Wladimir Klitschko and even Anthony Joshua. 

Makhmudov, by contrast, has often looked lost when forced to go beyond his comfort zone, which for me, being the away fighter in this one, doesn’t bode well. Take Dave Allen to win by KO/TKO at odds of 2.90.