Las Vegas, NV — Through over 30 fights, including amateur and professional contests, Brendan Allen had never taken a short-notice fight. That changed with UFC Vegas 47, where Allen stepped in on just a few day’s notice against Sam Alvey.
The feeling, said Allen after picking up a submission win over veteran “Smile’n” Sam, was “very different, but man, it feels kind of good not having all the emotions run through the week, through the camp, the injuries.” Yet while it’s a different feeling, he continued, “I know those things help lead to the greatness: the sacrifice, the hurt, the hunger. So obviously I’ve got to go back to it, but great week. Everyone knows, come out here and get a win, it’s a great week.”
Allen would later tell Cageside Press during his post-fight press scrum that taking a fight on short notice was something that had always intrigued him. Same with 205lbs, where the fight was moved due to the short-notice nature of the match-up. “I always wanted to see how it felt, not having to cut, if the energy was still the same, if my movement was still the same— just all those variables that kind of come into question cutting weight.”
That said, Allen appears to have ruled out a permanent move to light heavyweight for the time being.
While Alvey had his moments during the bout, Allen told reporters that there was nothing in the fight that surprised him.
“Not really. I knew what he was going to throw, I just had to get that timing,” he explained. “I haven’t really been doing anything to be honest, my management didn’t want me to take the fight because of it, but I had some other things going on. We knew what he was going to come with, he’s a true vet, true tough guy, nothing but respect. I’ve been watching him since I was 17, 18 years old.”
Allen also disputed that he was rocked during the fight. “Nah. I truly feel in my heart, if I see it, I’ll take it, no matter how hard of a puncher you are, no matter how good you are, I feel I can take it.” It’s the ones you don’t see that push you, added Allen. “I’ve been there for that too. I’m just happy that I got to go out there against a guy like Sam, a true vet.”
After rocking Alvey at the end of the first round, Allen came out very focused, very measured in the second. That was the result of his corner’s advice, and knowing ahead of time that cardio could be a factor.
“Going into the fight, I knew I just had to mix it up, but I had to be careful not to blow my load and go too balls to the wall, because I honestly didn’t know where my cardio was 100%,” said Allen. “I knew I wasn’t from a fight camp. I’d run a little bit, worked out a little bit, but ultimately they told me to be patient, step back, pick your shots, and just good D, use my footwork to circle, stay in front of him.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 47 post-fight press scrum with Brendan Allen above. More coverage from the event can be found below.
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Nick Maximov
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Sean Strickland
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Brendan Allen
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Bryan Battle
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Julian Erosa
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Hakeem Dawodu
