Arnold Allen (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Following his recent defeat to Max Holloway, Arnold Allen is looking towards his next match-up, and believes a showdown with Brian Ortega is the way to go.

Allen faced Holloway earlier this month, and dropped a unanimous decision to the former featherweight champ. The defeat snapped Allen’s 12 fight winning streak.

More recently, the English fighter spoke with Sky Sports, and Allen (19-2) acknowledged that the timing for a fight with Ortega seems right (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“That’s probably the matchup that makes the most sense,” Allen said. “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) is looking to get back on track, following back-to-back losses to champion Alexander Volkanovski and fellow contender, Yair Rodriguez. Prior to fighting Volkanovski, Ortega recorded a unanimous decision win over Chan Sung Jung.

Ortega also faced Holloway in 2018, and lost via TKO (due to doctor stoppage).

“He’s fantastic. He’s a great competitor,” Allen said about Ortega. “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.”

Currently, Ortega is ranked #3 in the UFC’s featherweight rankings and Allen is #4.