FightPost MMA Fighter of the Week: Arnold Allen

FightPost MMA Fighter of the Week: Arnold Allen

By Dan McConnell

With two UFC titles on the line and a stacked card this weekend in Las Vegas at UFC239, the event that is called ‘International Fight Week’ sure didn’t fail to impress!

From Jon Jones defending his title against the dangerous Thiago Santos, and former Women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm getting a second chance at fighting for her former title against dominant champ Amanda Nunes. And also the bad-blooded bout between Ben Askren and Jorge Masvidal.

However a fighter from Ipswich, England really impressed me with an excellent performance against a former champion who has been there, seen it all before and wore the shirt.

My FightPost MMA Fighter of the Week goes to 15-1 featherweight Arnold Allen, who is on a tear throughout the 145-pound division!

Allen took on former WEC Lightweight champion, UFC title challenger and veteran Gilbert Melendez on Saturday night. Winning on all three judges scorecards by unanimous decision to continue his unbeaten streak with the UFC.

The Englishman has beaten tough opponents in Makwan Amirkhani or Mr Finland as he is known, former UFC and current Cage Warriors 145-pound champion Mads Burnell and also Jordan Rinaldi at the Darren Till v Jorge Masvidal card at London in March.

But it was this weekend’s victory over Melendez that cemented Allen’s place at the top of the tree in the UFC’s featherweight division. Overcoming an experienced veteran is never easy, especially as Allen is at the young age of 25 and still growing.

Allen still has a lot to learn in the sport, but has a natural and raw talent that can’t be shaped in the gym. Huge things are incoming for the English fighter, who’s training with one of the best coaches in in game. Firas Zahabi at Tristar in Canada.

Arnold Allen deserves a top 8 if not top 5 opponent in the 145-pound weight class next.

Big things are coming for this week’s FightPost MMA Fighter of the Week!