Arnold Allen was supposed to be in Montreal quietly training for future fights and staying focused on the Octagon. Instead, the British featherweight found himself in an unexpected and frightening situation that resulted in significant bruising on his face and raised concerns among fans. What should have been a routine trip turned into an unexpected encounter on the streets, one that had nothing to do with sparring or a cage fight.

The 27-year-old, who has been out of action for more than a year since defeating Giga Chikadze, revealed that he was assaulted by multiple individuals while in Montreal. ‘Almighty’ has faced some of the strongest opponents in the featherweight division, with his only two UFC losses being against Movsar Evloev and former champion Max Holloway, yet this kind of confrontation was entirely unexpected.

Language barrier beatdown? Arnold Allen details getting “beat up in the street” in Montreal

It was a moment that contrasted sharply with the disciplined, controlled environment of his usual training camps. “I’m in Montreal currently, training for stuff, and I got beat up in the street because I wasn’t using French,” Allen told his 35,000 YouTube subscribers, referring directly to the injuries.

“I got jumped because I didn’t speak French. That’s what the bruises are all about; don’t worry about it,” he added. The event highlights a worrying trend in Canada, where police-reported hate crimes have more than doubled from 2019 to 2024. Many of these acts involve ethnicity, race, or cultural identity, and incidents triggered by language or cultural disparities, such as Allen’s, are becoming more widely documented.

Despite the unnerving event, ‘Almighty’ instantly changed the subject to UFC 321, keeping a professional demeanor in the face of adversity. He discussed the upcoming heavyweight battle between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane in Abu Dhabi, emphasizing the excitement surrounding his fellow British fighters.

Well, Arnold Allen’s response surely proves some insane resilience and determination, as he continues to train, create content for his fans, and prepare for his next UFC run, unaffected by the difficulties he encountered on the streets of Montreal. And seeing this drive, fans surely would be eager to find out when ‘Almighty’ will make his much-awaited return to the Octagon. So, is there a date yet?

‘Almighty’ Allen reveals plans for next fight

Even as Arnold Allen heals from the unexpected attack in Montreal, he remains focused on the bigger picture: returning to the Octagon stronger than ever. While no official date has been announced, Allen’s desire to return is clear, showing that nothing, not even an off-cage setback, can derail his ambitions.

Allen told DAZN News about the delay in his comeback. “I don’t know yet. I tore something in my shoulder. I’ve just started rehab, so hopefully within the next few weeks, I’ll be back to sparring and then looking at dates to fight,” he revealed. The British featherweight, who made headlines with a win over Giga Chikadze, is clearly intent on fully recovering before committing to a fight.

Interestingly, Allen hinted at a possible transition to lightweight, stating that his current training and rehab have naturally added a bit of size. But that doesn’t mean he has forgotten his January 2024 loss to Movsar Evloev and has openly voiced eagerness in a rematch. “Yeah, I would. I would love it. Ideally, in a perfect world, he wins the title, and I get a rematch, and I beat him for the title. That would be nice. I think I won the first fight,” Allen said.

He further emphasized his plans with a bold statement: “I would retire right now if I didn’t believe I could be champion. There’s no point in being in the sport if you don’t believe you can be the best. I know we’re prizefighters, but I want to be world champion.” Well, it seems like ‘Almighty’ is all hyped up for a comeback. So now, it would be interesting to see when, and against whom, he makes the much-awaited return. Who do you think his next opponent will be? Let us know in the comments.