JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Brendan Allen beat Karl Roberson with a first-round submission Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 261 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Take a look inside the fight with Allen, who got back in the win column and has won eight of his past nine.
Allen on the fight’s key moment
Apr 24, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Karl Roberson (Red Gloves) fights Brendan Allen (Blue Gloves) during UFC 261 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
“I held Karl so highly the whole camp. I told everyone I expected him to be better than (Israel Adesanya). I expect that because I want him at his best. I expect him to be at his best. I know how good I am, my team knows how good I am, and I wanted to show that.
“I feel OK. I haven’t watched it yet, but I’m surprised the straight ankle happened that close. I thought we were about to go to the second round. I told them all week, ‘I hope this is a quick, one-punch drop kind of thing.’ I’m ready for three rounds, but I just want to bang and go home.”
Allen on the motivation from his daughter
Apr 24, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Brendan Allen (Blue Gloves) reacts after defeating Karl Roberson (Red Gloves) fights during UFC 261 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
“I had a lot of nerves backstage, just today, period. I’m always like, ‘Man, is this going to be my last one?’ I miss seeing my kid grow up. I’m away from her – I miss her so much. Every time I Facetime her, there’s always something new that she’s doing. She’s saying something, she’s doing something. That’s my biggest goal in life – be there for her and watch her grow up. I don’t want to be away from her, so that’s constantly in my head when the nerves get real bad.”