ARNOLD ALLEN is treating his showdown with Calvin Kattar the identical as some other battle – regardless of it having enormous ramifications for the featherweight title image.
The Suffolk strangler will bid to stretch his extraordinary win streak towards the 145lb standout early on Sunday morning in the principle occasion of UFC Vegas 63.
An emphatic victory over the American will put Allen getting ready to a shot at Alexander Volkanovski’s featherweight crown.
However Almighty – who’s using a nine-fight win streak contained in the octagon – isn’t letting the potential prize of a title shot enter his thoughts forward of the most important battle of his profession.
He advised SunSport: “No [it’s not difficult to not think about a title shot]. That is all the time the top purpose. However in the intervening time, that is extra vital.
“That is the step to get there. If I do not get the job achieved right here, then I ain’t gonna get to that stage.”
Staying centered on the duty at hand is one thing that has come simple to Allen all through his profession.
The 28-year-old mentioned: “I’ve written down my objectives and I do know what the plan is. However I’ve seen it in lots of people who get forward of themselves and begin calling out 5 steps forward and begin considering forward.
“It simply takes one mishap for all the pieces to go t**s up. The tip purpose is perception, however I do know the short-term issues are what issues [right now].
“Little victories right here and there are what matter most.”
Though ideas of a possible title shot are firmly in the back of his thoughts, Allen is all too conscious of the magnitude of his first predominant occasion.
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He mentioned: “It is a good feeling, it is a purpose you all the time sort of work in direction of.
“Everybody after they get to the UFC desires to be seeing their face on a poster sooner or later and headlining their very own occasion. So it is positively a step in the precise route.
“And in addition alongside that, combating a top-five and really elite man. And I will have the ability to put my identify in that elite combine of men as properly.”
Victory over New England Cartel standout Kattar will undoubtedly be the most important of Allen’s UFC and MMA profession.
And after seeing Kattar take an ungodly quantity of punishment towards Max Holloway final January, he is aware of it received’t come simple.
He mentioned: “I do know I’ve received energy in my palms, however all my fights often are typically towards the hardest guys. They have an inclination to have heads of stone.
“Gilbert [Melendez], Dan Hooker, Sodiq [Yusuff] was robust as hell. And now Calvin. I do not assume something has modified. They’re all granite heads.”
The stylistic problem the boxing-heavy Kattar brings to the desk is one Allen relishes.
He mentioned: “We’re each predominantly boxers, predominantly stand-up fighters. He is a bit longer than I’m, I transfer a bit greater than he does.
“It is an thrilling battle. I feel on paper, it is a enjoyable battle. He is an actual canine of a fighter. He’ll stroll ahead and attempt to break you down.
“I sort of do one thing completely different [each fight] I do not are inclined to do the identical factor. I am a little bit of a blended bag, however I feel it makes for an thrilling battle.”
After meticulously planning make it a Good Ten contained in the octagon, Allen is assured there’ll be no different end result than his hand being raised.
When requested how the battle ends, he mentioned: “With me being victorious.”
Unsurprisingly, leaving Las Vegas with a win in his maiden predominant occasion would imply the world to Allen.
He mentioned: “That is all the pieces [to me]. That is the explanation I get up at 5 or 6 each morning and drive three or 4 hours up the street and practice with a number of the finest guys on the earth.
“That is the explanation I push myself and sacrifice all that point and smash my physique up and all these issues. It means rather a lot.”