This past weekend in the co-main event of UFC London, we saw a pivotal matchup in the featherweight division. Former top lightweight contender Dan Hooker (21-12) was returning to featherweight to take on the surging English contender Arnold Allen (18-1).
Arnold Allen has been looked at as a top prospect in the UFC for some time. However, he hasn’t been the most active featherweight in the world and that has limited his shine thus far. UFC London was his chance to really show the world just how good he is.
Dan Hooker was returning to featherweight and was figuring to go right into the title mix after a nice run at lightweight. However, Arnold Allen wasn’t going to let him have a comfortable debut. In fact, Hooker never even got a chance to get comfortable inside the octagon.
From the opening bell at UFC London, Arnold Allen furiously attacked Dan Hooker. Hooker tried to fight back, but Allen was all over him. Hooker did land one good counter, but that was about it. The fight was completely one-sided and Allen got the standing TKO finish halfway through the first round.
What’s next after UFC London?
This was a huge fight for Arnold Allen and it showed UFC fans just how good he is. There’s no doubt about it that Arnold Allen in squarely in the title conversation at 145 pounds. After the fight was over, there was one man that Allen was interested in fighting and it’s a fight that makes sense.
Allen called for a fight with “The Boston Finisher” Calvin Kattar. Kattar is coming off of a dominant main event win over Giga Chikadze back in January. Kattar and his camp have told the UFC that they are wanting to return over the summer and they’ve already expressed interest in fighting Allen.
If Allen is willing to fight again over the summer, it’s time to strike while the iron is hot. The UFC should absolutely book Kattar and Allen with the winner potentially getting a shot at the featherweight title. Allen proved he’s special on Saturday, now it’s time to see if he’s title-ready.