- 2 years ago
Brendan Allen on Paul Craig UFC middleweight fight
Brendan Allen (22-5, fighting out of Delray Beach, Fla. by way of Covington, La.) intends to prove he’s a top contender when he faces Craig
o No. 10 ranked UFC middleweight
o 13 wins via submission, five wins by knockout
o Currently on a five fight win streak
Brendan Allen (22-5, fighting out of Delray Beach, Fla. by way of Covington, La.) intends to prove he’s a top contender when he faces Craig
o No. 10 ranked UFC middleweight
o 13 wins via submission, five wins by knockout
o Currently on a five fight win streak
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SportsTranscript
00:00 [ Background noise ]
00:26 >> Brandon.
00:27 >> What's up, buddy?
00:28 >> How are you?
00:29 >> I'm good.
00:30 How are you?
00:31 >> I'm good, bro.
00:32 I guess, how are you feeling and your daughter's there with you?
00:36 >> Are we good?
00:38 I think we're good.
00:39 I think we're good.
00:43 We're doing good.
00:43 Thank you.
00:44 >> I mean, you know, fight week, how is it having your daughter with you?
00:48 >> It's pretty, it's pretty cool, man.
00:51 It's great to have her here.
00:52 She's been around fighting her whole life.
00:53 Literally, when she was born, the next week we were in Milwaukee training for a fight.
00:57 So this is nothing new to her as far as the fight itself.
01:01 This behind the scenes is new to her.
01:03 And she's having a good time.
01:06 As you can see, she's having a good time.
01:08 So, yeah, she's having a good time.
01:10 We're having fun getting it done.
01:12 And we're going to keep doing that.
01:16 >> Second main event, first one with your face on the poster.
01:19 How does that feel?
01:20 >> The poster's pretty dope.
01:23 I was happy it wasn't a plane one.
01:24 I dodged a bullet on the one that was supposed to be my main event with Jack.
01:29 That was a terrible poster.
01:31 So it's cool to have a cool poster.
01:34 And yeah, man, it's a cool experience.
01:37 But again, nothing, none of this means nothing to me if I don't get a win.
01:41 I'm just that kind of guy.
01:42 I'm super competitive.
01:43 And I don't, all this literally means nothing to me if I don't finish with a win on Saturday.
01:50 >> You've had a bunch of fights in the UFC.
01:52 How does it feel to know that the UFC is finally starting to push you a little bit
01:57 to give you a main event against another UFC veteran that has some push?
02:05 >> I mean, it's cool, man.
02:08 Stop.
02:09 Stop.
02:09 Stop.
02:10 I'm tired.
02:10 All right, hold on.
02:13 I got a hand.
02:13 It's cool, man.
02:15 But I think everyone knows why this is the main event.
02:19 It's not for him.
02:20 He's just a good spot filler, I guess.
02:23 Yeah, he's a good spot filler and he has a okay following.
02:30 Like, I don't have a good following.
02:32 And so, but I can fight.
02:35 I can fight.
02:36 And I think they realize that I will be champion eventually.
02:41 I'm 27.
02:42 I still got plenty of time to go.
02:44 So I think they realize I will be a champion and we're just taking the proper steps toward that.
02:47 >> I think the Hargore fans have already known, but do you feel like this fight and this main event is your coming out party to the broader UFC audience?
02:55 >> Uh...
02:57 [laughs]
02:59 No.
03:01 [laughs]
03:03 [laughs]
03:05 [laughs]
03:07 >> Uh, yeah, I definitely feel that way.
03:09 I definitely think, at least I hope so.
03:12 But to be honest, I don't worry about any of that.
03:14 I'm going to go out there and I'm going to be, I'm going to try to be Brendan Allen.
03:17 And whatever happens, happens.
03:18 I'm going to let the cards fall where they fall.
03:20 I don't care if you like me, hate me, whatever.
03:22 It makes no difference to me.
03:24 I get paid the same either way.
03:25 I still go home to my kids and I still do what I want to do.
03:28 I still have the friends that I have.
03:30 My life doesn't change, so I don't really care.
03:34 I know nowadays fighting's about politics as well.
03:40 And how you get there to each their own.
03:43 I'm just here to fight.
03:45 I'm here to fight and see what happens.
03:48 And again, I let the cards fall where they fall.
03:50 I don't really care what people think of me.
03:52 They have no effect on my life whatsoever.
03:54 So, yeah, I don't really worry about it.
03:58 >> What do you think of Paul Cray as an opponent?
04:00 Like, what did you think when his name came across your desk?
04:04 >> I'm going to beat him up.
04:06 I think he's a good name.
04:07 He's beat some really good guys, obviously.
04:09 How those wins came, that's a different story.
04:12 He still beat them nonetheless.
04:14 And I think a lot of really good guys sleep on him.
04:19 And even they still are beating him up, they just get caught.
04:22 So I'm expecting to see the best Paul Craig we've ever seen.
04:26 I expect him to be sharp, ready to go.
04:31 I think he's going to try to bring the fight to me.
04:33 And it's up to me to take that confidence away
04:36 and to start chipping away at that confidence
04:38 and give him everything that he doesn't want.
04:43 >> Obviously, you both are really good grapplers.
04:46 Your stand-up has come leaps and bounds.
04:49 Do you want to go to the ground with him,
04:51 or are you looking to knock this guy out?
04:54 >> I'm definitely looking to knock him out.
04:57 100% I'm looking to knock him out.
04:59 Obviously, that's the road less traveled, or the easier road to travel, in my eyes.
05:03 Obviously, again, I'm expecting him to come out here
05:05 and be better than he's ever been before.
05:07 But I'm not scared at all to go to the ground with any man on this planet,
05:12 especially at 185.
05:15 I know how good I am, and I know what I'm capable of
05:19 and where my assets lie.
05:21 And I think the only thing about it is I'm going to do it on my terms.
05:25 I'm not on his terms.
05:26 On Saturday night, I'm on my terms,
05:28 and that's how I'm coming in approach to the fight.
05:31 I'm going to be on my terms and not his.
05:33 So when I want to go to the ground is when I will go to the ground.
05:35 But unless I knock him out quick,
05:38 it's going to end up there at some point for sure.
05:41 >> There was some confusion about you fighting Roman Dolidze.
05:46 Was that a fight that was offered to you?
05:48 >> Yeah, I was supposed to-- oh, they offered Roman.
05:51 At the time, we were already waiting for Drikus--
05:53 don't ruin those--
05:54 we were already waiting for Drikus and Rob to fight,
05:57 and I was instructed to stick by that decision
06:01 and wait to see how that fight played out
06:03 because if Drikus lost, that was a realistic fight,
06:05 and he was number five at the time.
06:07 By the time the fight happened, and obviously Drikus won,
06:12 I tried to go back and, like, let's take that one,
06:14 but he had already signed to fight, I think, Derek at that point.
06:17 So, yeah, it was offered, and I waited.
06:21 I gambled. I gambled, and I lost the gamble.
06:24 That's just how it happens.
06:25 >> Do you regret your decision, or--
06:28 it doesn't matter because you still got a main event against Paul Craig.
06:32 >> I always want the tougher guy,
06:33 so I regret not taking it in that aspect,
06:36 but I also-- what if it would have followed through
06:39 and I would have got that Drikus fight,
06:40 you know what I'm saying?
06:41 Then I couldn't be.
06:42 So, it happens for a reason.
06:44 Everything happens for a reason.
06:45 It is what it is.
06:46 If it's meant to be, we're still going to fight
06:48 at some point down the road anyway,
06:49 and that's how I feel, man.
06:52 I'm not really stuck on it, like,
06:53 shoulda, woulda, coulda this time,
06:55 but everything's all right.
06:56 Life is good, and I'm focused on Paul
06:59 and going out there and getting the job done on Saturday night.
07:01 >> And finally, since your last fight,
07:03 your old pal Sean Strickland has won the title.
07:05 I just want your thoughts on Sean winning the title.
07:08 >> I think it was a doable feat, and obviously he did it,
07:11 and I'm happy for the guy.
07:13 He's definitely been around a long time in the UFC,
07:16 and he's fought a lot of great guys and good guys,
07:19 and I think he has the ability to still be champion
07:23 by the time I get there next year,
07:24 so I'm hoping that's what happens,
07:27 and I'm ready for a number two.
07:30 >> Is that a tease where you think he's gonna beat Drickus
07:33 in January?
07:34 >> Yeah, I definitely do.
07:35 But it's hard to count Drickus out.
07:37 He's the luckiest dude I've ever seen in my whole life.
07:39 He should play the lottery.
07:41 Swear to God.
07:42 >> Thanks, bro.
07:43 >> Brendan over here.
07:46 >> What's up, bro?
07:47 >> So we saw Venom debut new fight kits in September,
07:50 and now that you have your daughter on stage with you,
07:51 I mean, you mentioned a while ago
07:52 that you want to wear purple shorts because of her.
07:54 Have you tried to talk to them about that lately?
07:58 >> I mean, I asked for it, but obviously my requests
08:00 aren't making it much past that.
08:03 They're just requests.
08:05 I don't know.
08:06 Hopefully it comes at some point, but yeah.
08:10 Yeah, nothing more than that.
08:13 >> And obviously full focus on Paul Craig,
08:16 but when you see the rest of the guys in this 185 division,
08:19 any other names stick out to you?
08:22 >> Honestly, at this point, I really don't know.
08:25 Obviously, like I said, as long as I win on Saturday,
08:28 I'm looking for a number one contender fight,
08:30 and I don't know who that is.
08:31 I think Whitaker and Cannonier are scheduled to fight again,
08:34 or I saw Whitaker was supposed to fight somebody
08:36 or it was talked about.
08:37 I don't know.
08:39 Cannonier was supposed to fight and then got hurt.
08:41 So I don't know where everything lies,
08:43 to be honest, right now.
08:44 I haven't really put too much emphasis on it.
08:46 Obviously, I'm just looking for whatever gets me
08:48 to that belt next.
08:49 So whoever the UFC says that is is who I'm going to fight,
08:52 and I just got to get through Saturday.
08:56 >> I want to ask you, I mean, there was a pretty big fight
08:58 with the middleweight division and Abu Dhabi with Hamza
09:01 and Usman both fighting it.
09:02 What did you make of that performance from both guys?
09:05 >> It wasn't a middleweight fight.
09:06 They weighed in at 85, but they're both 170s.
09:09 I don't know how you rank it.
09:10 I don't know if anyone here is on the panel,
09:12 but if you do, I don't like you.
09:13 So I'm just going to be honest.
09:15 If you are, are you on the panel?
09:16 >> Maybe.
09:17 >> I don't like you then.
09:19 >> Yeah, it's bullshit.
09:22 Like, this guy hasn't beat an 85er.
09:25 He hasn't beat an 85er, especially a ranked 85er.
09:28 And now he beat the number one 170 guy.
09:31 Cool, congratulations.
09:33 I think everyone can agree a five-round fight,
09:35 Kamaru wins, and that was off the couch.
09:38 Keep him at 70 and rank him number one.
09:42 Like, okay, do that.
09:43 But this is a different thing.
09:45 But I don't know, man.
09:47 That's not my call.
09:48 That's out of my pay grade.
09:51 It's out of my lane.
09:53 You asked the question, I answered it.
09:54 But normally I try to just stay in my lane and do what I need to do.
09:58 And as long as they leave me alone, I'm all right.
10:02 It's when they don't leave me alone, we'll cross that bridge when they come to it.
10:05 >> You know, I wanted to ask about that just because I feel like you're not the only one.
10:07 I feel like other, like, 85ers that have been around kind of took that not so well.
10:11 I mean, having a guy, like you said, come up from 70 and, you know, get that fight
10:15 and get a ranking immediately.
10:16 >> It's bullshit.
10:17 The rankings are absolutely political bullshit.
10:21 It's people going off of what?
10:24 It's politics.
10:25 Because it's not off of skill.
10:26 If we're going off of pure skill, there's tons of guys that shouldn't be in.
10:28 How do we have guys that haven't fought in two years in the rankings, three years?
10:32 Like, how is that a thing?
10:34 It shouldn't even be close.
10:35 You have to be -- there should be regulation -- or not even regulations, but, like, guidelines.
10:41 You have to fight at least this many times, at least once a year.
10:44 If you don't, you get pulled.
10:46 Like, Jack, he hasn't fought in, what, a year, year and a half, whatever?
10:50 All right, buddy, got to go.
10:51 Paulo Costa, hey, got to go.
10:53 Like, I don't care what your excuse is for not fighting, but -- especially if it's more than a year.
10:58 More than a year is ridiculous.
10:59 But, yeah, man, these guys are inactive.
11:02 They ain't really fighting nobodies.
11:04 I don't know.
11:05 It's whatever.
11:06 But I just stay in my lane and do what I need to do.
11:08 And as long as everyone leaves me alone, I'm good.
11:10 I just -- I'm good.
11:11 Just leave me alone, and that's how I'll keep it.
11:13 >> Awesome.
11:14 Thank you for your time and good luck.
11:15 >> Thank you, brother.
11:16 Thank you.
11:17 >> I just have -- I just have one for your daughter.
11:21 Can she tell me, is your daddy going to win his fight, yes or no?
11:25 >> Is daddy going to win or no?
11:27 Is daddy going to win yet?
11:28 Say yes.
11:29 >> Yes.
11:30 >> Thank you.
11:32 >> No, bro, if you're on that ranking panel, don't even ask that question.
11:36 Don't ask that question.
11:38 >> It's a fun one.
11:39 >> Are you on that panel?
11:41 >> Yes.
11:42 >> Oh, you're off.
11:43 You're off.
11:44 That panel's shit, bro.
11:45 I'm sorry.
11:50 >> Just the psychology, please.
11:52 I've seen Tito Trinidad walk out with his son on his shoulders.
11:55 Canel Alvarez has his daughter when he does media.
11:58 What's -- does the -- your children, do they kind of reset you, kind of just disconnect you from, like --
12:04 I'm a dad right now.
12:06 I'll do the questions.
12:07 I'll do the media stuff.
12:08 I'll do the pictures.
12:09 I'll do the promos.
12:10 But let me remember what matters.
12:13 I mean, I'll keep her away when -- after I arrive just because I'll start changing just the person that I am.
12:24 But other than that, outside of that, my goal is to keep my fight -- I mean, my mind as far away from the fight as possible.
12:30 I don't want to think about it whatsoever.
12:32 So I have her.
12:34 I have my boys with me.
12:36 And they -- we do a great job at keeping my mind away from the fight.
12:43 It's when I keep my mind on the fight that I'll start having too much anxiety or I'll start moving around too much, getting anxious.
12:48 And, yeah, it's just to keep my mind away from the fight.
12:52 The more I don't think of the fight, the better I do.
12:55 >> And we saw you walk in with some mean guys with some body bags.
12:57 Like how awesome is it to surround yourself with people who just have that same goal, reach the top ASAP, let's get it.
13:04 >> Yeah, man, me and Joe met like a year or so ago.
13:08 And he has the same outlooks that I do.
13:10 We share a lot of similar views.
13:12 He's young.
13:13 He's hungry.
13:14 I'm young.
13:15 I'm hungry.
13:16 I think we bring different things to the table to where we balance each other out and can help lift each other up.
13:20 And obviously I'm just a little bit ahead of him in the career, but he's doing great.
13:25 Like look at what he's doing.
13:27 So, yeah, I'm happy to have him and his energy and his knowledge here.
13:31 And we just look to be champions.
13:35 We both look to be champions.
13:37 So hopefully I can go out there and reach a champion, defend it a couple times, and hopefully I can just pass it off to him when it will be about his time.
13:44 >> Awesome.
13:45 Once your champion rankings meet.
13:47 >> Yeah, exactly.
13:48 >> Good luck on Saturday, you guys.
13:49 >> Thank you.
13:50 >> [Making monkey noises]
13:54 >> Say bye.
13:55 Say thank you.
13:56 Say thank you.
13:58 You got to go.
13:59 Say thank you.
14:00 >> [Making monkey noises]
14:02 >> Thank you.
14:03 >> [Making monkey noises]
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