Popular British heavyweight Dave Allen is gunning for a career-best win against Arslanbek Makhmudov in Sheffield on Saturday night.
A crowd in excess of 8,000 at the Utilita Arena will roar on Allen (24-7-2, 19 KOs), one of the great survivors of the UK scene, as he aims to take down a man once tipped for great things in the heavyweight division.
Makhmudov (20-2, 19 KOs) was handed a slot on the first heavyweight-dominated Riyadh Season card in December 2023, only to be dropped and stopped inside four rounds by Agit Kabayel.
Being collateral in a superb run of form that has seen Kabayel establish himself as one of the leading heavyweights in the world is one thing, but an eighth-round stoppage loss to 2016 Italian Olympian Guido Vianello in August last year forced a reappraisal of the big-punching Makhmudov's credentials.
Just after the 36-year-old Russian fell off the Riyadh Season radar, Allen got his unlikely chance in Saudi Arabia on the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury II undercard against the undefeated Johnny Fisher. Allen decked Fisher in round five and dominated the second half of their 10-rounder before dropping a very controversial split decision.
Five months later, 'The White Rhino' left nothing to chance in the rematch, subjecting Fisher to a showreel knockout in the fifth. Now, opportunity knocks against Makhmudov, with the winner of this one sure to be thrust into the conversation for big fights.
On the undercard, domestic bragging rights are up for grabs and some rising stars take their next steps.
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Dave Allen vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov undercard
Here's a breakdown of all the action on the Allen vs. Makhmudov card.
Josh Padley vs. Reece Bellotti
- Division/Weight: Super Featherweight
- Padley record: 16-1
- Bellotti record: 20-6
- Belts at stake: N/A
The most notable result in Padley's impressive 16-1 record is the 1, when he put up a game challenge to pound-for-pound star Shakur Stevenson as a late replacement in Riyadh last season.
That performance paved the way for a deal with Matchroom and one of the promoter's long-time folk heroes, Belotti, is in the other corner for this one. 'The Bomber' had been on a resurgent six-fight winning run, winning the Commonwealth and British titles at 130 pounds.
His streak was halted last time out, losing via TKO in the last of 12 punishing rounds against undefeated European champion Ryan Garner. That contest, being only 11 weeks ago, feels like a red flag to his prospects.
Junaid Bostan vs. Bilal Fawaz
- Division/Weight: Super Welterweight
- Bostan record: 10-0-1
- Fawaz record: 9-1-1
- Belts at stake: English Super Welterweight title
Bostan and Fawaz clash in an immediate rematch of their 10-round split decision draw in January. The vacant English title at 154 pounds is once again on the line.
Eight wins inside the distance means the KO power lies with Bostan and one of Matchroom's touted prospects will hope to get back on track in style.
Hamza Uddin vs. Paul Roberts
- Division/Weight: Flyweight
- Uddin record: 5-0
- Roberts record: 7-6-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Following a decorated amateur career, the 22-year-old Uddin has moved to 5-0 in 18 months as a pro.
Roberts comes into the bout in reasonable form, having won three of his past four. The only defeat during this period was an unsuccessful challenge for the Commonwealth light flyweight title against Craig Derbyshire last October.
Ibraheem Sulaimaan vs. James Chereji
- Division/Weight: Super Featherweight
- Sulaimaan record: 8-0
- Chereji record: 22-6
- Belts at stake: N/A
Sulaimaan is another undefeated rising star on the bill and faces a step up in class against the experienced Chereji.
The Romanian was 17-0 when he suffered a first defeat at super lightweight against future world champion Liam Parro in 2020. That loss remains the only time Chereji has been stopped, giving Sulaimaan the opportunity to make a statement.
Conner Tudsbury vs. Khalid Graidia
- Division/Weight: Light Heavyweight
- Tudsbury record: 2-0
- Graidia record: 13-15-5
- Belts at stake: N/A
Allen's stablemate under trainer Jamie Moore, Manchester light heavyweight Tudsbury has an experienced journeyman in his way on his thrd professional outing.
Frenchman Graidia has won his past two and was stopped in five by Ben Whittaker last year - a reasonable yardstick for Tudsbury to measure himself against.
Joe Howarth vs. Kane Baker
- Division/Weight: Lightweight
- Howarth record: 13-1
- Baker record: 19-13-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Howarth has been trained and managed by Allen and gets a chance to shine on his boss' undercard.
He has won his past six, all on points, and comes up against the well-schooled Baker, who has fought all comers domestically over the past decade.
Joe Hayden vs. Angelo Dragone
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Howarth record: 19-0
- Dragone record: 10-8
- Belts at stake: N/A
Hayden is another Allen fighter with a stack of victories against moderate opposition.
Dragone snapped a five-fight losing streak in his previous fight just two weeks ago.
Dave Allen vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov tune-in info
- Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
- Location: Utilita Arena — Sheffield
- Time: 5 p.m.
- Main event start time (approx.): 10 p.m.
- Live stream: DAZN
The Dave Allen vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov fight card will be available via DAZN. A DAZN monthly subscription costs £9.99 on a 12-month contract, or £19.99 month-to-month. An annual subscription will cost £99.99.