With 20 of his 23 professional wins by knockout, Silva brings the heat every time he steps into the Octagon. Allen is expecting that and he’s looking to use “Blindado’s” aggression against him.
“He’s going to try and knock my block off. He’s going to try to put me to sleep,” Allen said of Silva. “There’s more emphasis on how aggressive he is compared to other guys, but every guy is coming to put you to sleep. Every guy is coming to try and finish you. So, it’s nothing I haven’t seen before.
“I should get him out of there or beat him 30-27. That’s kind of what’s in my head.”
A statement win over Silva could help set Allen up for a big fight in the latter half of 2023. Although Allen isn’t too fond of mapping out what’s next, he can’t help but get excited at the prospect of matching up with some of the middleweight division’s top contenders.
If he could have his pick, he would love to scrap with either Jared Cannonier or Dricus Du Plessis.
“For me, it’s finish this guy; the focus is all on Bruno, but get the job done by any means necessary,” Allen said. “Then look to fight a Cannonier because he’s looking for that title shot, too. They want new blood. I’m kind of that new blood, per se, even though I got a lot of fights. [A fight with Cannonier] also puts title implications on the fight, and if that don’t come through, then I just want to fight Dricus.”
It’s safe to say that this showdown with Silva is a major moment in Allen’s career. The fights and opportunities he wants are just on the other side of an impressive performance versus Silva.
All he has to do is go out there and take care of business.
