written by: Ryan Jarrell

The UFC middleweight division has an important bout set when #9 Brendan Allen faces #12
Anthony Hernandez on February 22nd at UFC Seattle. This exciting showdown is a rematch
from 2018, long before either man signed to the largest promotion in the world. In case you
were wondering, Hernandez outlasted Allen in their first fight en route to an Unanimous
Decision victory and the LFA middleweight title.
It goes without saying that both men have evolved ten fold since the first time they tangled.
Our Ryan Jarrell caught up with Allen to get his thoughts on their first fight and what he
expects to transpire when the two men step inside the octagon in late February.
According to the Kill Cliff fighter, he was not in the right place mentally when they initially met.
“I am a totally different guy from the first time we fought. I think I was very immature in the first
fight mentally. I think I hurt him in the first ten seconds and we got in some scrambles and I just
did not want to be there. I was just ready to go home and I just didn’t want to get finished and
we went five rounds. It’s not going to be that way this fight, I am coming to knock him out”.
The goal for every fighter with elite aspirations is to become a UFC champion. Allen was on the
door step of a potential title fight when he was matched with top contender Nassourdine
Imavov in his most recent fight. Although he started strong in the first round, Allen looked tired
as the fight progressed, ultimately losing a decision to the home town fighter. Brendan was
very outspoken about his displeasure with the additional testing the French commission made
him endure. “I stayed out there for three or four hours, could not really do the proper hydration,
definitely couldn’t refuel, couldn’t rest. He was up in his room sleeping probably while I was
getting urine tests, two different blood tests, all these stupid things. Ultimately, hindsight is
20/20 and my body was not 100% going in anyway, and I just don’t know how to pull from a
fight. Once I sign (the contract) I have to be there. If I can walk, I have to go make that money. I
feel like if I am the best in the world like I think I am, then I should be able to beat anyone,
anywhere and anytime”.
Brendan has put the loss to Imavov behind him and looks to make one more run at the
middleweight title before moving up to light heavyweight. “I feel like I was super close to the
goal at middleweight, I feel like I can do it again but this time I don’t need eight wins in a row. A
solid three wins and I am right there if not there, so, that’s the goal. Go out there and finish
Fluffy, finish someone top 5, and then maybe one more. I think the performances and the
opponents say a lot”.
So how will this highly anticipated rematch actually play out? Brendan is expecting a similar
style from this previous foe, but a very different outcome.“I expect the same fluffy, I think he’s
the same guy he just chains it together better. He does the same things, looks for the same
moves he just chains it together better. I don’t think he’s anything technically great that I have
to prepare for. I just think his cardio is very good and that is what he relies on to make people
tank. The camp has been a lot of cardio, a lot of push, and hard positions and that’s the focus
for the next three weeks”.
According to BetOnline, Allen is a +230 underdog, while Hernandez is a -270 favorite ahead of
this fight. Let us know what you think goes down in this important middleweight clash as both
men jockey for a better ranked position in this crowded division.