Jean Silva climbed back into the win column with an entertaining performance against Arnold Allen in the UFC 324 main card opener.
While Silva started the fight with some solid shots to the body, it was Allen who landed the more significant shots. Allen mixed up his strikes, utilizing kicks and punches as Silva was content to sit back and look for a fight-ending blow.
With 10 seconds left in the round, Silva finally decided to bumrush Allen, looking for a buzzer-beating knockout, but Allen weathered the storm and likely went back to his stool with a 10-9 lead.
Silva started to pick up the pace in round two, catching Allen with a couple of calf kicks before going upstairs with a stinging combination. Undeterred, Allen continued to attack, which appeared to frustrate Silva.
Just past the two-minute mark, Silva scored a takedown and caught Allen with a big right hand on the way back up. Allen came right back with a left hand, busting up Silva’s right eye in the process. Both fighters continued to bring the heat in the second, but neither could find the finish, sending us to the third and final round in what could very well be an even fight.
After engaging in a slugfest for the first two rounds, Allen looked to utilize his clinch game. Silva ultimately fought his way out of Allen’s grip and scored a takedown of his own with 90 seconds to go.
Unable to keep Allen on the mat, both fighters returned to their feet, content to slug it out until the final bell. Silva appeared to get the better of the late exchange, nearly connected on back-to-back head kicks before launching himself off Allen’s back and letting the final seconds tick off the clock.
Official Result: Jean Silva def. Arnold Allen vis unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
