Report: UFC Prospect Arnold Allen Gets Suspended Sentence for Christmas Party Brawl

Arnold Allen appears to have avoided jail time for his involvement in a Christmas party brawl in which the UFC featherweight prospect was described as “running amok.”

According to a report from the Ipswich Star, the incident occurred “when a number of parties — including one for Specsavers’ staff and another with people dressed as Oompa Loompas — took place at All Manor of Events in Henley, near Ipswich, on the night of Dec. 23 and 24.”

Allen, who was reportedly intoxicated, initially stepped in to protect his girlfriend, who was involved in an altercation with another woman. “After that you went wild,” Recorder Richard Christie QC told Allen, who reportedly was “windmilling” his left arm while his right arm was around his girlfriend.

Andrew Hayward-Farmer, the owner of All Manor of Events, reportedly attempted to break up the fight and was punched by Allen as he tried to remove the fighter’s girlfriend from the fray. Allen then kicked Hayward-Farmer’s legs out from under him as he attempted to close a gate and delivered “at least two punches to the owner.” Additionally, Allen allegedly assaulted six women as he flailed his arm during the melee.

The 23-year-old Englishman was sentenced to five months in prison for the incident, but that term was suspended for 12 months. Allen was also fined £3,250 (about $4,200) in compensation to his victims, ordered to perform 150 hours of community service and given a one-month home curfew.

“Part of your training is self-control and knowing when not to exert more force than is necessary, and that’s plainly something you have done on this occasion,” the judge told Allen. “Your whole career has been [put] on a knife-edge as a result of this.”

Allen, who trains part time at Tristar Gym in Canada, could face travel restrictions as a result of the conviction. Richard Conley, Allen’s lawyer, claimed that the fighter didn’t handle alcohol well that night because he usually does not drink during his training.

Allen has compiled a 3-0 record in the Octagon thus far, including a split-decision triumph over Makwan Amirkhani in his most recent outing at UFC Fight Night 107 on March 18. He is 12-1 over the course of a career that also includes a six-bout stint in Cage Warriors Fighting Championship.