UFC Fighter Claims Attack in Montreal Over Language Barrier
A British mixed martial arts fighter has reported being assaulted in Montreal, Canada, apparently due to his inability to speak French.
Arnold Allen, a UFC featherweight, shared this unexpected news on Tuesday while discussing the upcoming UFC 321 event.
“I got beaten up on the street because I didn’t use French,” Allen mentioned on his YouTube channel. “Well, I jumped because I couldn’t speak French.”
He pointed to the bruises on his face, including prominent welts under each eye, noting, “That’s what the bruises are.”
In a reassuring tone, he told his viewers, “Don’t worry.”
The 31-year-old didn’t provide further details about the incident, quickly changing the subject.
Allen is currently training with Firas Zahavi at TriStar Gym in Montreal, though he didn’t elaborate on the purpose of his visit, other than to say he’s “training for something.”
With a professional record of 20 wins and 3 losses, Allen is ranked in the top 10 of the featherweight division but hasn’t fought since his victory over Giga Chikadze on July 7, 2024, in Manchester, England.
His prolonged absence from the Octagon has made him one of the less visible active fighters in the UFC. In fact, he fought only twice in 2022, which is unusual for him given his decade-long career.
He secured victories in both those matches, including a first-round knockout against Dan Hooker on March 19, and a TKO against then-No. 5 ranked Calvin Kakker on October 29 in Las Vegas.
Allen expressed that taking the fight against Kakker was a strategic move to position himself in the rankings. “It’s a chance to play against the person I want to play against. He’s ranked No. 5 in the world,” he stated. “The only reason I applied for this fight was because he was above me.”
Interestingly, Allen has had previous legal troubles, having received a five-month suspended prison sentence related to a bar altercation in Ipswich, England. Reports indicate he pleaded guilty to public brawling after assaulting a bar owner while intoxicated and attempting to defend his girlfriend.
