De Ridder Overrated? Allen Underrated?

[JoeRowe]

Props for beating a washed Whittaker & Bo Nickal who most Sherdoggers don't even think is top 30 in the UFC. He nearly lost to Gerald Meerschaert(!) less than 1 year ago.

Meanwhile Allen was 1 bonehead decision in the 3rd round from beating Fluffy, and 1 bonehead decision in round 3 from beating Imavov. I think Fluffy and Imavov are top 3 MWs that would finish RdR tbh.

I think Allen is the better range-striker and better overall boxer. I also think he can stuff the takedowns of RdR.

Now, would I be surprised if he pulled guard or dove into a guillotine to instigate unnecessary grappling decisions? Not at all. Like I said he is prone to bone-head decisions sometimes but I think he can pull off the upset here.

Also a lot of ppl bringing up that Allen is taking it on short-notice, but its 5 or 6 weeks so not too short of notice. More concerning for me is RdR having his 5th camp in less than 1 year, including 2 5-rounders back-to-back. We've seen this type of activity come back to bite fighters in the ass before, ie Cerrone & Holland.

I don't see anyone else picking Allen and I just want to put it out there so I can bump this thread after he wins.

 

[Portland8242]

Yeah that's the worst part about it, RDR is actually a pretty approachable matchup for Allen. I really want RDR to get rewarded for the crazy amount of work he put in this last year, I don't wanna see him lose his momentum Brendan Allen of all guys in the top 10.

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

The same Allen who got finished by Chris Curtis 4 years ago and then in the rematch just last year, had a really close, almost 50-50 fight?

But Whittaker is "washed" so yeah, I guess that makes sense.

 

[rjmbrd]

Allen is criminally underrated around here. His UFC record is very solid and he's generally only lost to elite opponents. His biggest problem is very middling fight IQ, the skills and experience are all there.

RDR is not overrated and its flat out moronic to call Whittaker "washed," setting aside that Rob nearly MURDERED RDR. If that fight was stopped, nobody would have complained. Whittaker is no longer a direct threat to the title, however it is a very solidly top 10 fighter and can compete with the top 5.

This is a really intriguing and fun fight. For me, its going to come down to execution and RDR has show really brilliant ringmanship and he's a self-aware dude. If he stays on plan and Allen makes trademark IQ blunders, I think he takes it.

However I think these guys are really evenly matched and this will be a thriller.

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

RDR is not overrated and its flat out moronic to call Whittaker "washed," setting aside that Rob nearly MURDERED RDR.

RDR is overrated because his best win is Whittaker, who is washed. And how do we know Whittaker is washed? Because he just lost to RDR, who is overrated. See? The logic is unquestionable!

 

[rjmbrd]

The same Allen who got finished by Chris Curtis 4 years ago and then in the rematch just last year, had a really close, almost 50-50 fight?

This is a classic "styles make fights" illustration in my opinion. Allen is 13-4 overall in the UFC which frankly is a really high quality record. His loses other than Curtis:

- Strickland (future world champion)
- Imavov (current #1 contender 9-2 UFC overall)
- Fluffy (on 8 fight win streak, ranked, hasn't lost in 5 years)

Its not a though Allen doesn't have an overwhelmingly winning record and is losing to Jabronis. He's lost a few decisions to some of the best in the world.

But Whittaker is "washed" so yeah, I guess that makes sense.

Yeah that was nuts. People love superlatives around here, its crazy talk. Whittaker is a solid top 10 fighter.

 

[Hdfi]

48-47 Allen. He will keep the fight standing and use a lot of jabs to keep the distance.

 

[Dr Fong]

Allen isn't great. But this is a good matchup for him.

I think this is pretty easy underdog money.

 

[Rhood]

I'm still not sold on RDR being championship material.
He keeps asking for a title shot after beating low ranked fighters in the division. Decisioning Allen doesn't warrant a title shot.
I would like to see him fight Caio or DDP afterwards, if he beats Allen.

I think DDP would whip his ass and make him look stupid to be honest.

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

This is a classic "styles make fights" illustration in my opinion. Allen is 13-4 overall in the UFC which frankly is a really high quality record. His loses other than Curtis:

He certainly has high quality losses and I don't really dig on him as a loser or anything, that was just more me being reflective against the OP.

But I could argue that GM3's "almost" victory (as it was apparently being called) is even more the classic example of stylistic differences against RDR than Curtis should be for Allen. Maybe I'm off on that, my recollection of those fights can be off, but that's just me

 

[Trabaho]

I was sure Robert beats RDR. RDR has really bad striking. He has got great bjj, good experience, calm headed and is a huge guy at MW. I don't believe in him at all as a title contender. Won't be suprised if he loses 2/3 of his next fights. His boxing and striking is bad.

 

[World eater]

RDR wins, but then loses badly against Khamzat, provided Khamzat fights more than once next year.

 

[RockyLockridge]

oh NOW whittaker is washed.... interesting..

 

[KO Shotz]

Bobby Knuckles is NOT washed lol

he could go up to 205 right now & be a top guy if he wanted too.

 

[phillystyleswag]

RDR to me feels like he’s getting beat by an elite striker with TDD or an elite wrestler (Khamzat). Idk that Allen really fits those

 

[legedema]

I see Allen as the better fighter and imo Allen will finish Ridder

 

[CroCopsLHK]

I saw Hernandez beat him a second time with apparently busted ribs. Not sure how to take that one

But it was almost completely a grappling match. Then again Allen vs Vetorri was almost purely striking. So I dont know what we will see lol.

Allen is damn good and a consistent dark horse. Ill have to rewatch his fight with Vetorri. Im so bummed Fluffy pulled out but his fight with Allen was very close albeit some bad choices. Allen might steal the momentum though

I would predict RDR off sheer momentum but Brendan is a live dog for sure

 

[RockyLockridge]

RDR to me feels like he’s getting beat by an elite striker with TDD

that's whittaker and he just lost

 

[Caio]

MMA fans can't just enjoy things, eh?

 

[Bork Neslar]

You don't need to ask questions about something you already have an answer for.