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Twenty-two year old Arnold Allen will step into the UFC Octagon for the second time on February 27th when he takes on Yaotzin Meza at UFC London.

He made his UFC debut in whirlwind circumstances back in June last year when he was called up to fight Alan Omer on just a week's notice at UFC Berlin.

Incredibly, Allen went on to win the fight in the third round and in doing so he announced himself to UFC fans all around the world.

Allen recalled this incredible experience to Mirror Fighting earlier this week.

"It was pretty hectic. I took the fight on the Saturday or Sunday night, I forget, but I had to rush around to get all my medicals and it was touch and go as to whether I was going to get to fight," revealed Allen.

"It was pretty stressful. I had to drive up to Manchester to get my brain scanned, then back down to London to get my eyes done, it was hectic.

(Image: FightStorePro)

"Once I had my eyes done I then had to get to Heathrow to fly to Berlin and they said if I didn't get there in time I wouldn't be allowed to fight. Fortunately, it all worked out."

For his second UFC fight, Allen has had much more time to prepare and he used the bonus money that he won from his fight in Berlin to finance his new training at Tristar in Montreal, Canada.

Allen said that working with the likes of head coach Firas Zhabi and experienced trainers like Eric O'Keefe has helped improve his skills no end.

"It's been really good being at Tristar, really refreshing learning from some of the best minds in the sport. I'm always learning there, always learning new stuff," said Allen.

"Working with different people and rolling with different guys is great, but it's been a humbling experience out here.

"I've been sparring a bit with Chad Laprise and I've done a few rounds with Olivier Aubin-Mercier. Every week is great because it's always different people."

His opponent in four weeks time will be the highly experienced, 34-year-old Yaotzin Meza who has had over thirty fights in his professional career.

(Image: FightStorePro)

Allen is well aware of the experience advantage his opponent will have over him and is expecting a tough night.

"His main thing is his experience," he added.

"He comes from a good team and I'm sure they are going to have a good game plan. I'm sure he will be a smart fighter with the level of experience he's got."

Whilst he is aware he will be facing a tricky opponent, Allen is looking forward to fighting in front of his home fans in London and relishing the experience of competing inside the O2 Arena.

"It was always one of my goals fighting at the O2 in the UFC, it's like a dream come true and I just can't wait to get in there."

Allen won't have long as it's only four short weeks until the UFC embark on the nation's capital with a full fight card headlined by Michael Bisping taking on the legendary Anderson Silva.