Arnold Allen

Background Born and raised in Suffolk, Allen began training in mixed martial arts as a teenager and took part in several amateur fights before turning professional in 2012.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Allen made his promotional debut on 20 June 2015 as a short notice replacement filling in for an injured Mike Wilkinson against Alan Omer at UFC Fight Night 69. After probably dropping the first two rounds, Allen won the fight via submission in the third round. He was also awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.

Allen next faced Yaotzin Meza on 27 February 2016 at UFC Fight Night 84. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Allen was expected to face Mirsad Bektic on 8 October 2016 at UFC 204. However, due to injury, Allen withdrew from the fight and was replaced by Russell Doane.

Allen faced Makwan Amirkhani on 18 March 2017 at UFC Fight Night 107. He won the fight by split decision.

Allen was scheduled to face Enrique Barzola at UFC 220 on 20 January 2018. However, Allen was pulled from the fight on 11 January due to alleged visa issues which restricted his ability to travel. Following this announcement, It was determined that Allen would be replaced by Matt Bessette at UFC 220.

Allen faced Mads Burnell on 27 May 2018 at UFC Fight Night 130. He won the fight via front choke submission in the third round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Allen was expected to face Gilbert Melendez on 30 November 2018 at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale. However, Melendez pulled out of the fight on 5 November and was replaced by Ricky Glenn. In turn, Allen pulled out of the fight on 16 November citing a cut he received while training.

Allen faced Jordan Rinaldi on 16 March 2019 at UFC Fight Night 147. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Allen faced Gilbert Melendez on 6 July 2019 at UFC 239. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Allen was expected to face Josh Emmett on 25 January 2020 at UFC Fight Night 166. However Emmett was pulled from the event for an undisclosed reason, and he was replaced by Nik Lentz whose original featherweight opponent also dropped out of the event. Allen won the fight via unanimous decision. Lentz would later claim he lost 40% of his vision after being poked in the eye by Allen.

Allen was scheduled to face Jeremy Stephens on 7 November 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira. However, Stephens was forced to withdraw from the event, citing injury. In turn, the bout was cancelled.

Allen faced Sodiq Yusuff on 10 April 2021 at UFC on ABC 2. After knocking Yusuff down twice, he won the fight via unanimous decision.

Allen faced Dan Hooker at UFC Fight Night 204. He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round. With this win, he received the Performance of the Night award.

Allen faced Calvin Kattar on 29 October 2022 at UFC Fight Night 213, winning via technical knockout following a knee injury to Kattar.

Allen faced former UFC Featherweight champion Max Holloway on 15 April 2023 at UFC on ESPN 44, where he lost via unanimous decision, ending his win streak in the UFC.

Allen faced Movsar Evloev on 20 January 2024, at UFC 297. In a competitive bout, he lost by unanimous decision.

Allen faced Giga Chikadze on 27 July 2024, at UFC 304. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Allen faced Jean Silva on 24 January 2026, at UFC 324. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Allen faced Melquizael Costa on 16 May 2026 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 276. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Allen is scheduled to face Aaron Pico on 24 October 2026 at UFC 333.

Personal life Allen was issued a five-month suspended sentence after he pleaded guilty to affray, for his role in a 23 December 2016 brawl near Ipswich which left a man and five women injured.

His brother, Jake, participates in Strongman and is currently European Champion in the 90kg weight class.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Three times) Sixth most wins in UFC Featherweight division history (12) Tied (Cub Swanson) for sixth most decision wins in UFC Featherweight division history (8) Made4TheCage M4TC Lightweight Championship (One time; former)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Melquizael Costa Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Costa

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Jean Silva Decision (unanimous) UFC 324

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Giga Chikadze Decision (unanimous) UFC 304

Manchester, England Loss

Movsar Evloev Decision (unanimous) UFC 297

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Loss

Max Holloway Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Holloway vs. Allen

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

Calvin Kattar TKO (knee injury) UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Allen

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Dan Hooker TKO (punches and elbows) UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall

London, England Win

Sodiq Yusuff Decision (unanimous) UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Nik Lentz Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. dos Santos

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States Win

Gilbert Melendez Decision (unanimous) UFC 239

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jordan Rinaldi Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Till vs. Masvidal

London, England Win

Mads Burnell Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Till

Liverpool, England Win

Makwan Amirkhani Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Manuwa vs. Anderson

London, England Win

Yaotzin Meza Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Bisping

London, England Win

Alan Omer Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Jędrzejczyk vs. Penne

Berlin, Germany Win

Paul Cook TKO (doctor stoppage) Made 4 the Cage 15

Tyne and Wear, England Win

Gaetano Pirello Decision (unanimous) Cage Warriors 71

Amman, Jordan Loss

Marcin Wrzosek Decision (unanimous) Cage Warriors 69

London, England Win

Tobias Huber TKO (punches) Cage Warriors: Fight Night 11

Amman, Jordan Win

Doni Miller TKO (punches) Cage Warriors 61

Amman, Jordan Win

Declan Williams Submission (triangle choke) Cage Warriors 60

London, England Win

Andy Green Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Warriors 56

London, England Win

Carl Orriss Decision (unanimous) Ultimate Challenge MMA 32

London, England Win

Kim Thinghaugen TKO (doctor stoppage) Ultimate Warrior Challenge 21

Southend-on-Sea, England Win

Nathan Greyson KO (punch) Ultimate Challenge MMA 27

London, England