Arnold Allen’s impressive 10-fight unbeaten run may have come to an end earlier this month with a decision loss to Max Holloway, but he’s still looking to fight another major featherweight star next, having called out former title contender Brian Ortega.
“That’s probably the matchup that makes the most sense,” Allen said of Ortega in an interview with 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 suffered a first round loss to Yair Rodriguez in unfortunate circumstances last time out after suffering a dislocated shoulder. That was the 32-year-old’s third loss in his last four fights, but the caveat is that two of those defeats were in title fights against the best-of-the-best in Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski.
“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.”
