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Arnold Allen has playfully claimed he would even be willing to trade leather with his old man if a title were up for grabs.

'Almighty' is hoping to make up for lost time when he makes his highly-anticipated return to the octagon this evening. The Suffolk scrapper has not fought since defeating Giga Chikadze on points back in July 2024. Allen - who turned 32 on fight week - has been thrown straight into the deep end, set to take on Jean Silva.

Silva, an energetic, barking-obsessed Brazilian, has emerged as one of the division's top talents in Allen's absence and is on some sort of redemption mission having suffered an agonising knockout defeat to Diego Lopes in his last octagon appearance.

Allen, though, knows a big win in Sin City will be put his name back in contention for a crack at Alexander Volkanovski's coveted gold prize. Most notably, 'Almighty' competes in the same division as fellow countryman Lerone Murphy. Murphy was seemingly in line to fight for the belt next after his stunning knockout over Aaron Pico, but was brutally snubbed by the UFC brass.

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Given how close both men are to a title fight, there could be a scenario where, one day, they end up meeting for UFC gold. Regarding a potential fight, Allen offered a rather unique response during an exclusive chat with Mirror Fighting: "Title fights… I will fight my dad if it’s a title fight," he said.

A joke, of course. However, be careful what you wish for, Allen. Strength clearly runs in the family as his dad, Pacer, is a former strongman and MMA fighter. Also, 'Almighty's' brother was crowned Europe's strongest man in his weight class last year.

It just shows how eager Allen is to get back to winning ways and competing regularly again. The Brit suffered a shoulder subluxation that left the joint separated, and dealt with it in his fight with Mosvar Evloev. But after the Chikadze clash, he simply needed some time away.

It seems likely that a showdown between Evloev and Murphy is next, and it's a fight Allen may have one eye on post-UFC 324. "I think that’s a good fight. Him (Murphy) versus Evloev. With all the questions and who is the number one contender, that would answer it. If he goes out there and starches Evloev, there you go, no questions, he is… give him the title shot. Both are very good. Either Evloev wins a close decision against him or Lerone knocks him out so it would be a great fight."

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With the division starting to see some action in these coming weeks, Allen is excited to get back to work and stake a claim in one of the UFC's most talented divisions. "The division is one of the best. I think it is one of the best talent divisions out there. You have got featherweight, lightweight. You want to see talent, you want to see skill, it’s around that kind of size," he said.

"Obviously bantamweight as well. The division is good. You have got Lerone… he took the opportunity against Aaron Pico. Got a nice knockout, really beautiful. With the risk, I deserves the reward I believe. He went out there, took a gamble on like 10 days’ notice and he got the knockout win in impressive fashion. It was supposed to be Evloev fighting there. I feel like Evloev on a sporting basis should have already had that title shot, but entertainment and maybe activity and maybe the fights and all these things… I do not know what he is like behind the scenes. Maybe he is a pain in the arse, I do not know.

"It seems like he is not the most liked. Lerone is probably more clear, but then you would have to argue that Pico was not tested in the UFC and that Pico was not ranked… he had not fought in the UFC, he has losses outside of the UFC. Obviously very good, very talented. I know people that have trained with him, so it’s a big scalp. I get why they have made the Diego Lopes fight (rematch with Volkanovski at UFC 325). Mosvar is the clear contender, but I kind of understand why they have not given it to him."

In a perfect world, Allen would like three fights in total this year - which could include a crack at the gold title. Ultimately, though, he would would love to run it back with Evloev and level the series. "Three fights would be nice. Beat Jean Silva, get a number one contender fight. S***, if Mosvar wins a title down the line… call for that rematch. Get a win here, I do not see why not. I know there is a load of guys shouting for it, I do not think there is a clear claim other than Mosvar, and I do not really think he’s getting a title shot anytime soon."

Fans can watch Arnold Allen in action against Jean Silva at UFC 324 on TNT Sports Box Office from 2am on Sunday