UFC Vegas 63: Kattar vs. Allen Odds, Schedule, Predictions

Arnold Allen looks to continue his ascent up the featherweight mountain while Calvin Kattar tries to bounce back in the main event of UFC Vegas 63 from the APEX Facility.

Allen has become one of the hottest prospects in the 145-pound division. The English fighter sports a 9-0 record in the UFC since making his debut in 2015. After scoring a first-round TKO win over Dan Hooker, he's finally getting a shot at raising his stock in a main event.

It'll come against a veteran who is never an easy out in Calvin Kattar. The 34-year-old is 2-2 in his last four fights but is still incredibly durable with strong boxing skills.

A win for either probably puts them right in the center of the title picture at featherweight, so the stakes are high.

Here's a look at the complete card and a closer look at the biggest fights of the night.

Main Card (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET)

• Calvin Kattar (-105; bet $105 to win $100) vs. Arnold Allen (-115)
• Max Griffin (-190) vs. Tim Means (+160; bet $100 to win $160)
• Waldo Cortes-Acosta (-200) vs. Jared Vanderaa (+170)
• Josh Fremd (-155) vs. Tresean Gore (+135)
• Dustin Jacoby (-175) vs. Khalil Rountree (+150)

Prelims (ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET)

• Roman Dolidze (+150) vs. Phil Hawes (-175)
• Andrei Arlovski (+210) vs. Marcos Rogério de Lima (-250)
• Joseph Holmes (+185) vs. Junyong Park (-215)
• Steve Garcia (+245) vs. Chase Hooper (-295)
• Cody Durden (+140) vs. Carlos Mota (-165)
• Christian Rodriguez (-380) vs. Joshua Weems (+310)

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

Kattar's record lately might not stand out, but no up-and-comer should be overlooking him. That's the mistake that Giga Chikadze made, and he paid dearly for it.

Kattar reminded Chikadze that he's still a tough out for anyone in the division. He knocked down Chikadze once and scored two takedowns in a fight in which he showed off just how versatile he can be.

He might need that same versatility again, as Allen is a proficient takedown artist in his own right. Combine that with real power in his hands and he has the ability to disrupt Kattar's game plan.

Durability and endurance could be two huge factors in this fight. Allen has never gone five rounds, while Kattar has done it in each of his last four fights.

While The Boston Finisher will have the advantage in technical striking, the power that Allen showed in knocking out Dan Hooker last time could be an equalizer.

Ultimatley, it's Allen's ability to control where the fight takes place that gives him an edge. This is going to be a back-and-forth affair, but Allen has a slight advantage.

Prediction: Allen via decision

The co-main event between Max Griffin and Tim Means is light on ramifications, but it should be heavy on action.

Both are grizzled veterans of the welterweight division who might not be climbing up the rankings but always put on a show.

Means is a crafty veteran who is just good enough in both the striking and wrestling departments to take advantage of his opponents' weaknesses. He's not afraid to get involved in a firefight against those who can't strike. He is also able to nullify those who can't wrestle.

Griffin is nearly identical in that way. He doesn't stand out as an amazing grappler, but he isn't clueless, either. He has some pop in his hands but not enough to be completely avoided.

He is coming off of a three-fight win streak that included knockout wins over Song Kenan and Ramiz Brahimaj. He's seeing a better opponent in this fight, though.

Neither is the most defensive fighter in the world, but Means is a savvy fighter who seems to have a slightly better fight IQ. He gets the nod based on that.

You can always count on mid-card heavyweights to make things interesting. Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Jared Vanderaa are the next big men ready to prove that maxim.

Cortes-Acosta will be making his UFC debut, while it's possible that Vanderaa is fighting for a future with the company. The latter is on a four-fight losing streak, which includes three finishes. He was knocked out by Alexander Romanov and Chase Sherman, while Alexey Oleynik submitted him in the first round.

The only fighter he's even gone the distance with is Andrei Arlovski, who has lost most of the power that used to make him a knockout artist.

Cortes-Acosta comes in with a 7-0 record and has three straight knockout wins. His first-round finish of Danilo Suzart on Dana White's Contender Series earned him a UFC contract.

Now, he's being put in a position to showcase his skills and begin to build some buzz in the organization.

Prediction: Cortes-Acosta via first-round TKO

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