Arnold
Allen is gearing up for his upcoming clash against
Movsar
Evloev at
UFC 297 this Saturday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. In his
last fight, Allen’s impressive 10-fight undefeated streak in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship was halted by a unanimous
decision loss to
Max
Holloway.
Beyond the spotlight of the Octagon, there exists a tapestry of
lesser-known details that add layers to the English mixed martial
artist’s persona. Ahead of this high-stakes clash with Evloev, let
us explore five things you might not know about Allen. Perhaps they
can shed some light on the man behind the fighter. From his hobbies
to the influential figures in his life, these insights contribute
to the compelling narrative of a fighter on the cusp of making a
statement:
1. He chose his path at a young age.
Hailing from Suffolk, England, Allen’s mixed martial arts journey
began during his teenage years. Before turning professional in
2012, “Almighty” engaged in several amateur fights, laying the
foundation for future success in organizations like Ultimate
Challenge MMA and
Cage Warriors Fighting Championship. He was also the Made 4 The
Cage lightweight champion before he signed with the UFC.
2. Hobbies keep him busy away from fighting.
Beyond his love for MMA, Allen has diverse interests.
He enjoys off-roading, mountain biking and, quite simply, indulging
in good food. Allen also has a YouTube channel dedicated to
sharing food vlogs besides other stuff, documenting his dietary
choices during weight cutting and showcasing his post-fight
indulgent meals.
3. His competitive drive can be traced to his father.
Behind Allen’s success is the influence of his father, Pacer. A
former English strongman who briefly transitioned into MMA, Pacer
fought five times, three as an amateur and twice professionally.
Pacer’s background as a traveling strongman inspired Arnold to
pursue a career in MMA. Allen regularly features his father on his
YouTube channel, providing a glimpse into their strong father-son
bond. In a past interview with Morning Kombat, the UFC star
recounted a childhood incident in which he was playing a UK version
of the curb-hitting game kerby. When his ball accidentally hit a
neighbor’s window, the neighbor not only confiscated the ball but
slapped Arnold. Seeking justice, Arnold informed his father. His
father confronted the neighbor, executing a double-leg takedown and
ground-and-pound to reclaim the ball. The incident, akin to a scene
from “Step Brothers,” became a quirky source of confidence for
Arnold.
4. He proved at least one doubter wrong.
Allen faced challenges in his early life, getting expelled from
school for being, in his own words, “a pain in the ass.”
However, the pivotal moment came when a teacher doubted his
potential, telling him he would never amount to anything. This
criticism fueled Allen’s determination, motivating him to pursue a
career in martial arts.
5. Thoughts of retribution fuel his imagination.
Allen’s dream fight is not against a fellow UFC featherweight; it
is against his brother, Jake, who happens to be a professional
strongman.
In
a revealing interview, Arnold shared childhood memories of his
brother tormenting him, making his dream fight a unique family
affair. The tale of collecting dragons and enduring his
brother’s antics adds a personal
Touch To the
fighter’s narrative.