The age-old query of youth vs expertise was as soon as once more answered this previous weekend on the UFC Apex. Arnold Allen confronted off with the surging Melquizael Costa, trying to present the younger Brazilian what it takes to be elite within the UFC. What adopted was 25 minutes of pure dominance, with “Almighty” placing a beating on Costa. Putting, wrestling, cardio, all of it appeared to favour the Englishman as Allen cruised to a unanimous victory. The query is, who’s subsequent for the veteran?
Choice #1 – El Pantera
To me, there’s a clear proper reply to this query – Yair Rodriguez. This seems like a matchup years within the making, with Allen and Rodriguez continuously matched collectively by followers. Nonetheless, we’ve got but to see these two hanging giants share the cage. In fact, followers can be proud of nearly any matchup for “El Pantera”. Regardless of being one of the crucial thrilling, fluid fighters contained in the organisation, exercise has been the thorn within the Mexican’s facet. Yair has fought simply as soon as since 2024, welcoming Patricio Pitbull to the UFC with a scintillating victory. Followers are wanting to see Rodriguez return after one other prolonged layoff. What higher return than one of many division’s most well-rounded opponents, Allen? This is able to be a struggle for the ages. Each males carry world-class hanging, albeit in far totally different areas. Rodriguez is a menace from anyplace, carrying the dexterity to throw large kicks, knees, and elbows from any angle. Arnold Allen is much extra aggressive on the toes, preserving a high-paced stress model that may very well be the right antidote for Rodriguez’s array of assaults.
This is able to be a real struggle for the followers, a spectacle years within the making. With elite hanging and top-five stakes connected, Allen vs Rodriguez feels tailored for a Battle Evening predominant occasion.
Choice #2 – The Miracle
If Yair Rodriguez just isn’t able to return to motion in September/October, then we should analyse potential alternate options. Nicely, look no additional than England’s different 145-pound phenom. Ranked #3 within the division, Lerone Murphy offers an enormous step in direction of a possible title shot for Allen. Having begun his UFC profession undefeated in his first 10 fights, Murphy seemed to be destined to problem Volkanovski for the crown. Nevertheless, nothing comes simple within the UFC. In his title eliminator in opposition to Movsar Evloev, Murphy got here up quick in a razor-close majority resolution defeat. While many felt Murphy had achieved sufficient to a minimum of earn a draw, the judges didn’t share the identical sentiments. Now’s the time to rebuild, with Murphy lately stating he hopes to return in October of this 12 months. This is able to line up completely with Arnold Allen’s potential subsequent journey within the cage, so why not face the 2 off? A battle for England’s 145-pound crown, with large bragging rights to the victor. Feels like a recipe for fireworks to me.
Both Murphy or Yair Rodriguez can be an enormous subsequent step for Allen on his quest to UFC gold. Having simply fought down within the rankings, each can be a really deserved reward. Nevertheless, if the UFC brass decides the Englishmen should as soon as extra struggle down, one man stands out because the deserved opponent.
Choice #3 – El Chino
Do I believe this matchup can be honest to Arnold Allen? – No.
Do I believe this matchup can be a struggle of the 12 months contender? – Completely.
Kevin Vallejos has been nothing wanting dynamite since getting into the UFC in 2025. 4-0 within the organisation, with 3 vicious KO’s, the Argentinian has rapidly amassed an enormous following. Again in March, Vallejos confirmed simply how harmful he might be. In 25 fights, Josh Emmett had been knocked out simply as soon as. The likes of Ilia Topuria, Lerone Murphy, and Dan Ige had failed to complete the hardened veteran. Regardless of this, Vallejos ran by Emmett, shutting his lights off within the very first spherical. A real assertion victory, Vallejos secured his place contained in the top-10 of the division, with the UFC clearly eager to push him rapidly by the rankings.
If “El Chino” is to be taken severely as a menace to the throne, he must make one other seismic assertion. Arnold Allen might effectively be that assertion. Allen has but to be completed in his 25-fight profession, sounds acquainted, doesn’t it? The winner of this struggle should traverse deep waters to depart the victor.
In fact, whoever the UFC decides to match Arnold Allen with shall be in for a struggle. The Englishman confirmed his stage vs Costa this previous weekend, and appears destined for a shot on the high 5 of the featherweight division subsequent.
