Suffolk UFC star Arnold Allen admits defeat in his last fight cost him a million dollar payday - and he intends to put things right when he steps back into the cage this weekend.
The 29-year-old tasted defeat for the first time in the UFC last time out, pushing former world champion and icon of the sport Max Holloway all the way in a fascinating five round fight.
Had he finished on the right side of the decision, Allen (19-2 MMA, 10-1 UFC), would likely have been fighting for the featherweight title and all the riches that come with it.
Instead, the Trimley St Martin talent will bid to get back in the title picture when he squares off with unbeaten Russian Movsar Evloev (17-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) at UFC 297 in Toronto on Saturday night.
"It sucks!" he laughed, reflecting on the Holloway defeat. "Probably with a win there I would have been fighting for a title now and I would probably have made at least a nice million dollars fighting for that title, which would have probably changed my life drastically.
"That really stings, it’s a big kick in the balls. But more than losing the money and the opportunity, just losing sucks.
"The other stuff has barely crossed my mind, the big thing is just getting back to winning ways and getting back into that title picture, and I don’t want to feel that feeling again.
"So when I was offered this opportunity, he’s a tough undefeated guy but I see a lot of ways I can beat him – and a win over him puts me straight back in that title picture.
"This is a contender fight and when I win I’ll be back in that title picture."
In Evloev, he faces the ninth-ranked 145lb fighter on the planet, a man hotly-tipped to be one of the sport's future stars.
The Russian has beaten everyone he's ever faced, though all seven of his UFC fights have gone the distance.
“He’s good everywhere and he’s improving every fight – every time I watch him he looks better than the last one," Allen said of his opponent.
“He’s very confident, with that undefeated record, and he’s going to come out there and try to stake a claim for a title shot like myself.
“I want to go out there and impress. After doing five rounds with Max I’m prepared to do three fives at a high pace. I’m very confident in my conditioning and my ability to push the pace.
“I just think my MMA – my wrestling, my boxing, my jiu-jitsu – is going to be better."
Asked for a prediction, the Suffolk southpaw said: "I think it’s going to be a hard-fought three round fight.
"Whenever you’ve got an undefeated guy they’re full of confidence and they’re undefeated for a reason.
“He’s undefeated in the UFC as well, not just the regional scene – he’s been in there for a while, building up quite a good win streak, and he comes from a good team, he’s got a good heritage of fighting.
"So it’s not going to be easy to rip that 0 away from him and he’s going to fight hard for it.
"I’m prepared for a tough three fives and I’m planning to control it everywhere - every situation, on the feet, on the ground, on the fence, wherever.”
He added: “You’re always looking for the finish, of course, but I’m always ready to go the distance as well, whatever it takes.”
- You can watch Allen v Evloev at UFC 297 Live on TNT Sports. Allen's fight should start at around 3am GMT on Sunday morning.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here