UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Hooker MMA Odds and Picks

A streaking young featherweight faces a dangerous finisher on home soil in Saturday's co-main event, as England’s Arnold Allen welcomes Dan Hooker back to 145 pounds in the UFC's return to London. Check out our Allen-Hooker picks for the bill's penultimate bout.

In a pivotal featherweight matchup, Arnold Allen will look to make Dan Hooker rue what's sure to be a trying cut down to 146 pounds. The young, surging Allen has repeatedly impressed fans and pundits alike over a UFC stint that has yet to see a defeat. However, his sporadic workrate has also kept him from facing the murderer's row that is his division's top tier. He now meets a returning Hooker in what promises to be his stiffest test yet.

As for Allen's seasoned, battle-tested opponent, Hooker aims to re-enter the win column in his former weight class after dropping three of his last four at lightweight. Win one, lose one was the story of the Kiwi's brief first stint at featherweight, but he heads into a tantalizing clash opposite Allen with a significant edge in experience and quality of competition.

Will Allen's methodical punches in bunches prove enough to pass the biggest test of his career, or will Hooker rely on both his veteran savvy and finishing instincts to play spoiler in Allen's home country?

Here are my Allen-Hooker picks and predictions for Saturday's featherweight co-main event (odds via Caesars Sportsbook; pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Allen vs. Hooker Fight Info

Date/Time: Saturday, March 19, 4 p.m. ET (main card)TV: ESPN+Location: O2 Arena, London, UK

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Allen vs. Hooker Odds Analysis

This rollicking featherweight tilt opened as a pick'em, and it still is at DraftKings. Other major oddsmakers have Hooker as a slight underdog. The Kiwi sits at +100 at both FanDuel and PointsBet, with Caesars listing him at +105.

Hooker's recent woes may be responsible for his underdog status, and he's a most compelling choice - especially if we're talking prop bets. As for Allen, both Caesars and PointsBet have him at -125, which is decent value for a favorite. That said, Hooker is the more consistent finisher of the two, so if you're feeling brazen, you could take a chance on a Hooker KO or TKO at +350 with Caesars or DraftKings.

Arnold Allen Betting Profile

Allen's taken the Octagon just eight times in nearly seven years with the world's top promotion, but he's made every one count, as his UFC record has yet to see a blemish. The Brit's age (28) and light schedule have kept him bound to the prospect label, but his combination striking and in-cage poise have many touting him as a promising future contender at 145 pounds.

Allen made good on the buzz with a decision win over fellow prospect Sodiq Yusuff in his last outing, but his hands and takedown defense will have to be on point this coming Saturday, as he's yet to face a foe of Hooker's size, finishing instincts, and strength of schedule in 18 fights as a pro.

Dan Hooker Betting Profile

This weekend's bill sees Hooker head back down to featherweight, where he struggled with both the scale and consistency before building a solid 8-4 record against top competition at 155 pounds.

The 32-year-old’s most recent submission loss to Islam Makhachev marked his third defeat in four outings and came just one month after a decision over Allen's Tristar stablemate Nasrat Haqparast. In fairness, Hooker's lightweight losses have come courtesy of elite bruisers in Makhachev, Michael Chandler, and Dustin Poirier. As long as he can safely make the featherweight limit, he'll remain a tough out for anyone at 145 pounds.

Allen vs Hooker Picks

Hooker to win (+105) ???Hooker by KO/TKO (+350) ??

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Allen vs. Hooker Predictions

Hooker to win (+105)

Deadly a finisher as he is, Hooker may very well replicate his showing against Haqparast and feed Allen his nightly serving of takedowns and top control from first bell to last. If this duel stays on the feet, Hooker may be treated to some clever bodywork from his younger foe. And if he doesn't rely on his superior measurables to make Allen pay, he'll likely play it safe, turn Saturday's headliner into a wrestling-heavy affair, and blanket the young Brit en route to a lopsided win on points.

Hooker by KO/TKO (+350)

Since Hooker is the taller, longer fighter, the uppercut and the knee up the middle should be there throughout his fight with Allen. Both Ross Pearson and Jim Miller can attest to Hooker's timing with the latter technique.

While Allen's boxing-heavy attack differs from Pearson’s bobbing and weaving ways, I expect him to take the center and get to work on his combinations early and often. That said, Hooker is a patient finisher, and I wouldn't be surprised if he bides his time before landing a perfectly timed strike up the middle that'll leave Allen seeing stars.

Take advantage of the value in the Hooker market.

Where to Bet on UFC Fight Night

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

FanDuel SportsbookCaesars SportsbookDraftKings SportsbookPointsBetBetMGM

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Allen vs. Hooker picks made 3/16/2022 at 7:53 p.m. ET.