TLDR
- Arnold Allen appeared to cast a spell on Jean Silva with strange hand gestures during their UFC 324 weigh-in face-off
- The unusual interaction followed Silva’s trademark barking routine at the weigh-ins
- Allen is returning from a year and a half layoff since his July 2024 win over Giga Chikadze
- Silva is looking to bounce back from a close loss to Diego Lopes at Noche UFC in September
- The featherweight bout will open the main card of UFC 324 with Allen at 20-3 and Silva at 16-3
Sources: Bloody Elbow | Sherdog | MMA Junkie
Arnold Allen turned heads at the UFC 324 weigh-ins by appearing to cast a spell on his opponent Jean Silva during their final face-off. The British featherweight made strange hand gestures and whispered toward the Brazilian fighter in an unusual display of pre-fight mind games.
The bizarre interaction happened after Silva performed his customary barking routine on the scale. The two fighters then went nose-to-nose, where Allen began his theatrical performance that reminded some observers of comedy sketches from the British show Little Britain.
UFC commentator Michael Bisping was among those who noted the magical theatrics during the weigh-in ceremony. The exchange captured attention as a contrast between Allen’s typically mild-mannered personality and Silva’s more aggressive approach.
Fight Background and Recent Activity
Allen will be returning to the octagon for the first time since July 2024 when he defeated Giga Chikadze. The 20-3 fighter has struggled with consistent activity throughout his UFC career.
After making his debut in 2015, Allen only fought eight times over six years. He increased his activity from 2022 to 2024, competing five times during that stretch, but has now been out for another year and a half.
Silva enters the fight with a 16-3 record and is looking to bounce back from a loss. In the same month Allen beat Chikadze in July 2024, Silva stopped Drew Dober with a finish.
While Allen was sidelined, Silva scored two massive finishes that earned him a main event spot against Diego Lopes at Noche UFC in September. Lopes won the wild fight that could have gone either way, with Silva coming close to potentially earning a title shot.
Fighting Credentials
Allen has proven himself against top competition despite his record. He gave Max Holloway a difficult fight, and many observers believe he defeated Movsar Evloev in their contested matchup.
The featherweight bout will kick off the main card of UFC 324. Silva responded to Allen’s spell-casting attempt with his signature barking, adding to the eccentricity of their confrontation.
The three-round fight between the two contenders takes place with Allen at 20-3 and Silva at 16-3. Both fighters have finishing ability, with Silva known for his power and speed while Allen has demonstrated durability against elite competition.
The unusual face-off has generated buzz heading into their scheduled bout. Allen’s hypnotic hand movements and whispers marked a departure from typical pre-fight interactions between the mild-mannered Brit and the abrasive Brazilian.
Fans and media have compared the theatrical display to various comedy routines. The weigh-in spectacle added another layer to the build-up for their featherweight clash on the UFC 324 main card.
