Suffolk’s MMA prodigy Arnold Allen is planning to change the habit of a lifetime if he gets a win in his next fight at the much-hyped UFC Liverpool event next month.
Known for being modest and humble despite his impressive 3-0 record in the world’s biggest MMA promotion, don’t be surprised to see featherweight Allen grab the mic in the Echo Arena and call someone out post-fight.
The 23-year-old, who faces Denmark’s Mads Burnell (9-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC), on May 27, said: “I have a four fight plan in my head (after the Burnell fight).
“That’s four guys who I want to fight, in a list. The plan is to call someone out after this fight – I’m not telling you who though!”
- MORE: Allen hopes to bring the UFC to Ipswich
However, Trimley St Martin’s Allen is adamant that, in a world where the biggest names tend to make the most noise and fighters often court controversy – Irish uberstar Conor McGregor smashing up a bus in New York just last week – he’s not going to try and trash talk his way up the fistic ladder.
“I’m not really into trash talk,” he explained. “It’s not me, and if you try to do something that’s not you, you’re going to end up looking stupid.”
What isn’t trash talk is to suggest that if Allen (12-1 MMA 3-0 UFC) can overcome Burnell, he will surely merit a top 15 world ranking for the first time, so much rests on the outcome of the battle.
- MORE: Allen wins Fighter of the Year in Flying Knee 2017 awards
A glance at the Dane’s record shows he tends to win by decision or submission, so Allen – who now trains and fights out of Montreal’s world-famous Tristar Gym – has a good idea about what to expect in the octagon come fight night.
“He’s a jiu-jitsu blackbelt and has a good submission game,” said Allen, who impressively defeated hotly-tipped prospect Makwan Amirkhani last time out.
“He’s a grinder and he’s going to come out and try to wrestle me. He doesn’t really have many tools on the feet, but I can’t mess around, otherwise he could catch me in something.
“I always go in with the same approach – I’m a mixed martial artist so I want to be prepared for everything, you never know where the fight could go.”
- MORE: Young, talented and unbeaten in the UFC – but Arnold Allen still isn’t satisfied
UFC Liverpool will be headlined by a welterweight fight between Scouse superstar Darren Till and two-time world title challenger Stephen Thompson.
- Watch UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Till live on BT Sport on Sunday, May 27
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here