Arnold Allen sees Brian Ortega as the perfect matchup to return to UFC featherweight title contention.
Allen’s (19-2 MMA, 10-1 UFC) 10-fight winning streak was snapped when he dropped a unanimous decision to former champion Max Holloway in the UFC on ESPN 44 headliner earlier this month. Allen came on strong in Round 5, but it was too little too late.
“Almighty” is yet to get his crack at featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and thinks former title challenger Ortega is the key to getting him there.
“That’s probably the matchup that makes the most sense,” Allen told Sky Sports. “We’re both in the same position. We’re looking for redemption. He’s had his title shot. I’m still trying to earn mine. That’s the guy to put me right back in there. A win there, 100 percent we’ll be back in that title talk.”
Ortega (15-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) is coming off a first-round TKO loss due to injury after dislocating his shoulder against Yair Rodriguez last July. Despite Ortega’s recent rough patch, Allen is fully aware of the dangers he presents.
“He’s fantastic. He’s a great competitor,” Allen said. “Really good jiu-jitsu, he’s showing some really good knockout power, he has out-struck some great strikers, as well, so he’s not just the one-trick pony. I’m sure he’s gonna come back better than ever off this injury. So, he’s looking to rebound and earn himself a title shot again. I’m looking to rebound. It would be a great fight. I think that’s a headliner for sure.”
Ortega has lost three of his past four, but his setbacks have come against the highest level of competition in former champ Holloway, current champ Volkanovski, and current interim champ Rodriguez.