UFC Fight Night 204's Arnold Allen sees Dan Hooker opportunity as avenue to 'top-five talk'

LONDON – His upcoming bout isn’t a title fight or even a main event, but featherweight contender Arnold Allen thinks the stakes are high at UFC Fight Night 204.

In the co-main event Saturday, Allen (17-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC) takes on Dan Hooker (21-11 MMA, 11-7 UFC). If he wins, Allen will advance to 9-0 in the promotion, a rare feat he thinks will propel him into elite status.

“Top-five talk,” Allen told reporters at Wednesday’s media day when asked what’s on the other side of this fight. “With a win here definitely, over a big name, a main event slot (should be next). (I’ll) get in that title eliminator picture. That’s the plan. … It’s the one that’s going to put my name out there. It’s going to solidify my position. It’s the one.”

As things stand, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is booked to defend April 9 against “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung at UFC 273. Former champion Max Holloway is in the on-deck circle for a crack at the title, while fellow top contenders Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez are rumored to be in the works for an upcoming matchup.

The only other two fighters in front of Allen in the UFC rankings are Calvin Kattar and Josh Emmett. Neither are currently booked.

UFC Fight Night 204 takes place Saturday at 02 Arena and streams on ESPN+. Check out Allen’s full UFC Fight Night 204 pre-fight news conference in the video above.