Suffolk's Arnold Allen got back to winning ways with a clinical technical performance to beat Giga Chikadze at UFC 304 in Manchester.

Allen snapped a two-fight losing skid with a unanimous points decision - 29-28 on all cards - to move to 20-3 in his career and 11-2 in the UFC.

After a close first round, with Chikadze starting quickly and landing some of his trademark lightning fast kicks, Allen's movement and fast, accurate left hand began to take over in the second stanza.

He rifled home several big shots, bloodying his foe's nose and constantly pushing him backwards.

That continued in the third, with that cruel left fist being the difference maker in the fight, as well as his excellent pressure and superior power.

Chikadze (now 15-4 MMA, 8-2 UFC)  finished the fight with his nose and mouth leaking blood, and it was no surprise when Allen's hand was raised.

The Trimley St Martin southpaw then wished his grandma Judy happy birthday in the cage during his post fight interview.

He added: "Giga's a great striker, but I'm a great striker too, you know.

"Giga's dangerous, but he throws so many powerful kicks that we thought he was going to slow down in the second and third (rounds).

"When we first got the offer, we asked for a five rounder. We did plan to wrestle, I just let the team down!"

Asked who he wants to fight next, he said: "Put me up there with the big boys - we asked for Yair Rodriguez, we asked for Brian Ortega and none of those fights happened."