EXCLUSIVE: Having made a happy home, Ipswich featherweight Allen is looking to make up for lost time after injury as he prepares to embrace the chaos in his clash with Jean Silva in Las Vegas
A new mortgage and marriage might be most people’s biggest concerns during a break from work, but for Arnold Allen, they were a welcome distraction during a long injury absence from the Octagon.
Ipswich’s ‘Almighty’ will finally be back in action this weekend at UFC 324 when he tackles rising featherweight star Jean Silva, having last fought himself in July 2024. A nagging shoulder injury eventually required surgery, but No.6-ranked Allen has rehabbed and feels revitalised ahead of his return.
Having been in the UFC for more than 10 years, Allen said: “The break has been a big kick up the arse, to be honest. I wasn’t lacking any motivation or anything, but if the fight needed any extra spark, it got it.
“It’s good to have that little reset and really appreciate my life, appreciate the training. Sometimes it is like, ‘This is what I do’ and you take it for granted a little.
“But when it is taken away from you for an extended period, it really makes you appreciate and enjoy all the work I have been able to put in. I am just grateful to be able to do another fight camp.
“I was always thinking of fighting during my break, but I did a couple of things: I bought a house and I got married. I was doing everything to try and fight and life outside of fighting was good, it was the best time of my life, but my fighting life was a bit depressing.”
In contrast to Allen’s steady rise up the ranks, Brazilian Silva has shot to stardom since winning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2023, his wild antics earning him plaudits from fans and UFC management.
However, ‘Almighty’ has shown he can adapt to any style of fight and is ready to embrace the impending chaos. Allen, who turns 32 on Thursday, added: “Every fighter’s journey is different and his rapid rise definitely doesn’t annoy me.
“He is very exciting. He’s a character, and that’s not just in his fights. He’s a chaotic guy and I think that’s what we are going to see. It’s gonna be a wildfire.
“I imagine he is going to come straight out and be wild and sometimes it’s easier to oblige your opponent.”
The first main event of the year will see Paddy Pimblett challenge for the interim lightweight title against Justin Gaethje.
And Allen believes Liverpool will welcome home a champion, saying: “I think Paddy is going to win. He’s going to bring the interim title back. I think he does it. Every time I have doubted Paddy, he just looks better and better. I think he is gonna look good again.”
Fans can watch Arnold Allen in action against Jean Silva during UFC 324 from 2am on Sunday, January 25, live on TNT Sports Box Office.
UP NEXT: UFC 324, Sunday, 2am. ‘The Baddy’ takes on Gaethje in what should be a cracking clash to kick off the year.
MONEY MATCH: Allen (21/10) can make it a good night for the UK against Silva. Odds and full UFC betting available at boylesports.com
FINAL SAY: “I’ve been speaking about being a world champion since I was 15 So there’s no way it’s not happening. I’m bringing that belt back to Liverpool.” Pimblett won’t be denied in Las Vegas.