ARNOLD ALLEN has a message to share with the featherweight division's big guys: "I'm Coming."
The Suffolk smasher was able to punch his ticket to the 145lb title contention with a spectacular first-round TKO win over Dan Hooker in UFC London.
Arnold Allen jumped into contention for the featherweight title at UFC Londonb
Allen, now 28, boasts a nine-fight winning streak in mixed martial arts' elite promotion. He is currently sat comfortably at No.6 in featherweight rankings.
He told SunSport, "I'm coming" just days after Hooker's win put the whole division on notice.
Hooker's abrupt end was the exact statement that Allen, soft-spoken but respectful, needed to make in order to propel himself into the title picture.
However, the way he killed the former lightweight star wasn't in line with the game plan of head coach Firas Zhabi.
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He said, "The first round was supposed be in-and out, find the range to see how I feel with his range.
"Select his speed, feel what he throws up, and then just let him go. We were going to press him in the final rounds after we had found his range.
"But, I just rushed it and forced it."
After a memorable night at London's O2 Arena in London, Calvin Kattar was Allen's favorite name. However, he'll gladly take on any of the bigger dogs in the rankings.
Get a PS10 Bonus with 100s of Games to Play and No Deposit RequiredAllen answered, "Any one of the top five." When Allen was asked who he would like to fight if Kattar wasn't available, Allen said: Korean Zombie was the fight I wanted to see.
"I had hoped to get it for my last fight, but he got bumped up in the title shot so I didn’t get that one. We'll see what happens."
Normal circumstances would be that Allen would win his next bout and Allen would call the winner of Alexander Volkanovski’s upcoming title defense against Chang Sung Jung.
The shadow of Max Holloway, and a trilogy fight with Volkanovski, loom over the division.
Allen stated that 100 percent [Max is hovering over the division.] 100 per cent. However, my main goal is to get that next win and the title shot.
"Or even getting in that title shot talk. It's a fun division, as you said. Korean Zombie is ranked at No.5 according to me. He's been promoted due to injury and will be competing for the title.
"Max Holloway deserves more than anyone so he's getting his next shot." I'm sure."
Allen is not thinking about the matchmaker's plans to top the division at the moment and is focusing on his current activities.
He stated that if they are planning to return to the UK during the summer, it would make sense for me to fight them again.
"But, realistically, August is the best time. It's a bit like summertime. This would be the ideal timing for me."
Allen, after years of trying to break into the top echelons in the division, is determined to shake up the weight classes once and for all.
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He stated that he felt the division needed to be reorganized. The guys above me have all fought for those spots. They've also fought for the title shot.
"It's almost begging for someone to come through and revive the division."
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