ARNOLD ALLEN believes a win over Dan Hooker would propel him to the top of the featherweight division - but he isn't counting on a title shot soon after.
Hooker, a Suffolk stranger, will be welcoming Hooker back to the division at 145lb on March 19, in the co-main event on the eagerly-awaited UFC London card.
Arnold Allen will be in action next month at UFC London
, Almighty will be competing with Dan Hooker, a fan favorite.
Hooker, from New Zealand, was a 1-2 finisher last year. His 'anywhere and anytime' attitude made him one of the most prominent names in UFC's lightweight division.
The streaking Allen, who has won eight straight bouts, can only imagine fights with the big boys at 145 lbs in his future if he gives the Kiwi killer a rude comeback to the division.
SunSport reported that he believed it would place him in the top five talks.
"That's why i was all for the fight because it definitely puts my up there.
"If you look at the lightweight fighters he has fought, the weight is above, he's coming to down, and I believe he was eighth in lightweight.
"So he's coming to fight and a win will for sure propel us to those top boys.
"It's a funny division, featherweight at the moment. The top five or six top men, they are all pretty much tied to each other.
Due to Max Holloway's withdrawal in his fight against Alexander Volkanovski, the log jam is currently occurring for the 145lb division.
Holloway is likely to get first crack at Chang Sung Jung (The Korean Zombie) in Volkanovski UFC 273 title defense on April 9.
Allen is likely to be at least one fight away from a title shot, even if he wins a major victory at The O2.
He stated that it was a humorous title picture because Max Holloway always looks like he will win the next title shot from Zombie or Volkanovski.
"So it looks tied up for quite a while."
Allen has a spot in top five featherweights, so it is understandable that he feels extra pressure before his first bout of the year.
Almighty said that he didn't feel the pressure and it was impossible for him to disagree.
"It's why I train; it's what [I] have been doing].
"The pressure, if you feel it, keep it up. That's why I'm here.
UFC FIGHT Night(r): VOLKOV vs. ASPINALL tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. GMT Friday, February 4, via AXS or Ticketmaster. Register your interest at UFC.com/London to stay informed about the latest tickets.
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