Brendan Allen on Marvin Vettori, upcoming fight & setbacks ahead of UFC Seattle [Exclusive]

The Louisiana Star will battle a familiar foe on Saturday

Louisiana’s finest and UFC Middleweight “All In” Brendan Allen is ready to get back in the win column this Saturday as he battles a familiar foe. Allen will face Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez in the co-main event of the UFC Seattle card which will be headlined by MMA legend Henry Cejudo.

Former Flyweight and Bantamweight Champion Henry Cejudo is set to battle rising Bantamweight star from China, Song Yadong. While Allen and Hernandez will meet in a rematch from their first meeting seven years ago in Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) where Hernandez won.

Allen’s momentum was recently disrupted as he was on the wrong side of a decision against Nassourdine Imavov last year that shattered his seven-fight win streak. On the other hand, Hernandez recently defeated Michel Pereira via TKO to further his winning streak to six.

Allen currently stands at the number 9 spot in the UFC Middleweight rankings while Hernandez stands at the 12th spot. Both fighters are looking for a decisive win to punch their ticket in the upper echelon of the division and reach closer towards the title which is currently under Dricus du Plesis’ hold.

Ahead of his fight on February 22, Allen sat down with Khel Now for an exclusive interview. The Louisiana star reflected on his last fight, revealed his future plans, and discussed his upcoming clash against Hernandez at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.

Can you reflect on your most recent performance, particularly the challenges you faced with the commission in France?

Describing the challenges he faced in his last fight which took place in Paris, France, Allen revealed that he had to wait for over three hours in France to undergo urine and blood tests after making weight.

He also revealed his struggle with the effects of water retention, which impacted his recovery and overall performance in the fight. Despite the challenges, Allen acknowledged that it was part of the process.

“I made weight and I had to stay down, um, where the scales and all that were for like three and a half hours, just waiting to have to be. Urine tested and two different types of blood tests. And obviously I couldn’t pee for three, three and a half hours because I just had a lot of water to make weight.

And then also the blood obviously isn’t circulating as best as it should after those circumstances. So, uh, yeah, it just took a long time and really uh, had an impact on the recovery and the, after the weight cut and uh, yeah, it wasn’t fun, but it is what it is.

You said “he didn’t win the fight, I lost” What does that mean?

Allen explained that he was unable to fight at his full potential and stated that Imavov didn’t do anything special or different. He admitted that he basically handed his opponent the win that night.

“I lost. Yeah, I lost the fight. He didn’t do anything special. He, um, I didn’t fight to my best abilities or even close to it. He was his best at night. He didn’t do anything different. He didn’t do anything special. I just, uh, I basically handed it to him by not being close to even a hundred percent that night and yeah, it happens.”

You and Anthony are meeting in a rematch after almost seven years. What will be different this time?

Allen emphasized that the fight on Saturday is a battle of wills and willpower will prevail in the rematch and he’s confident that he will come out on top this time. The Louisiana star also emphasized that both he and Hernandez always come ready to fight.

“He comes to fight. I come to fight. Um, it’s just a battle of wills whose will is going to be stronger. And, we’ll see on Saturday night, but I think it’s going to be me for sure.”

Are there any specific changes that you made in this training camp?

Brendan explained that while he didn’t make any specific changes in his training camp, his focus was on working harder rather than relying on smart work.

“Nope. Just worked harder and, Yeah, worked harde, just went back, to hard work rather than smart work.”

Are there any specific fighters you are interested in after the match?

While stating that he is fully focused on the fight against Hernandez, Allen also stated that he hopes to secure an impressive win and rematch against former champion Sean Strickland. Allen also expressed his desire to fight one of the greatest middleweights, Israel Adesanya.

“All the focus is on, Fluffy for sure. 100 percent of my focus is there, but I mean, hopefully I get a good impressive win and, I’d love to fight Sean (Strickland) again. I’d like to fight Izzy (Israel Adesanya) anyone in the top five.”

Did you watch the Dricus du Plessis vs Sean Strickland 2? What do you make of Sean’s performance?

Brendan said that he did watch the UFC 312 rematch between DDP and Strickland where DDP’s Middleweight title was on the line. Allen described Sean’s performance noting that Strickland relies on his jab, constant pressure, and a straightforward approach.

“Yeah, I watched it. I mean, I don’t know, man. It’s tough to say because Sean’s just like that. He’s gonna jab, teep, jab, teep, pressure. I don’t know man, it’s just it’s just Sean. I think that’s how he fights. Yeah, yeah, man, it’s crazy”

You vs Marvin (Vettori), what happened, and is that the fight you want next?

Allen expressed his frustration with the rankings, stating that it doesn’t make sense to him how someone who has not fought for a long time is stuck in the rankings. Allen also expressed excitement with the new AI rankings and believes the current ranking system is ‘dog sh*t’.

He further stated that Vettori is irrelevant and needs to be more relevant, Allen emphasized his desire to fight top contenders like Sean Strickland or Israel Adesanya, especially if he beats Fluffy in a decisive manner.

“I mean, what? I don’t think a guy off of like a two year layoff should come back and get someone that’s been doing his thing and doing what I’ve done. Uh, yeah, to me, he’s kind of irrelevant. So he needs to be more relevant.

Literally, he’s stuck in the rankings just because of I don’t even understand what it is. Like, I can’t wait for the new AI rankings or whatever that everyone’s talking about because the rankings as a whole, not just him specifically, but the rankings are just dog sh*t. So, um, yeah, I, I’m not too, like, stuck on anything.

Like I said, I’d like to fight Sean or Izzy because I want to go back up, especially if I Go ahead and beat, fluffy like I expect to, defended my spot yet again. There’s tons of other guys who get to fight up after losses or multiple losses. And, so hopefully, yeah, hopefully I can, I can fight up. I mean, I lost a close decision to the number one guy in the weight class in his hometown, not even close to my best. So, yeah, beating Fluffy in the proper manner should, earn me that right.“

Can we get a fight prediction?

Allen replied stating that his main goal is to finish the fight and is not too focused on how the finish happens. He will let the fight transpire and is not fixated on any particular strategy.

“Man, I’m just looking to finish him. I don’t know how. I don’t care how. I’m just going to look out there. I’m looking to go out there and put him away. However that comes, I’m not putting, I’m not really stuck on anything. I’m just gonna let the fight transpire how it should and, not focus too much on exactly one particular area.”

How do you spend your free time away from training and fighting?

Allen shared that he spends his free time with his family because being the best dad and husband is the most important thing to him. Brendan also acknowledged that fighting and training can be selfish, therefore he values the time he gets to give back to his loved ones.

“Just spending time with my family. Kind of the most important thing is just, being a dad and a husband and, just being the best I can be for them because fighting in training camps is, pretty selfish and, so it’s nice to give back to them.”

Who do you think is going to win in the main event?

Allen gave his prediction stating that it would be an amazing fight where a young star would battle a veteran. While mentioning that both guys are good, Allen also pointed out the generational gap between Henry Cejudo and Song Yadong.

“Oh, man, it’s tough, I just, I don’t know, man. It just depends what Henry (Cejudo) is going to come out, but I like song too. So, it’ll be interesting for sure. I think Song (Yadong), the younger talent and Henry’s the older talent, I guess you could say. So it’s like that older versus younger, kind of generational gap. So I don’t know who, man, I can’t say on that one. Plus I think both guys are good guys. So, I think it’ll be a good fight though.”

Anything you want to say to the UFC fans in India?

While thanking the fans for the support Allen and expressed his appreciation. When asked if fans would see a more aggressive version of him, Allen responded that he is just focusing on trying to get back in the win column but promised that it will be a more intense version of him on Saturday.

“No, they just thank you for the support. I appreciate it. Thank you very much.

I’m just trying to get back to the older me and get rid of that last one. Cause you said the taste out of my mouth, I always try to show up calm and, with an open mind and we’ll see where that takes us, but I think it’ll be more intense a more intense me!”

Watch UFC Fight Night – Cejudo vs. Song on 23rd February, 2025 at 7:30 AM IST LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD (Tamil & Telugu)

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