Arnold Allen training with Leon Edwards ahead of highly-anticipated Dan Hooker fight

Arnold Allen has been training with Leon Edwards ahead of his fight against Dan Hooker at UFC London on March 19.

Allen, 28, will welcome the New Zealander to the UK next month in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 204 at The O2 Arena in southeast London.

The UFC’s No.7-ranked featherweight normally conducts his training camps at Tristar Gym in Montreal, Canada.

But this time he has been forced to train closer to home due to circumstances beyond his control.

Instead he has spent time training at Team Renegade BJJ in Birmingham and BKK Fighters Colchester in Essex, a 30 minute drive away from his home in Trimley St Martin.

Asked about the change of scenery in an exclusive interview with GIVEMESPORT, Allen said: “Because of the restrictions over there it’s not been feasible to do a camp over there.

“It’s nice being home and train at home, you always see your family and friends, it gives you that extra bit of motivation, sort of reminds you why you’re doing it.

“It’s great to get a new look in with those guys up at Renegade. They’ve got some real top guys up there, some real top talent.

“Obviously Jai Herbert’s there, he might be on the card, and working with Leon Edwards is great.

“He’s fighting for the title next, he’s one of the best fighters in the UK, so it’s great to get knowledge in from people like him."

Fighting out of Suffolk in East Anglia, Allen is also a student of Firas Zahabi, who is one of the most respected coaches in mixed martial arts.

Zahabi previously coached the likes of Rory MacDonald and Georges St-Pierre.  

When questioned about his relationship with the Canadian, the 28-year-old said: “I am still working closely with Firas, he’s going to be in my corner, he’s giving advice and all that stuff, so