BY Darren Handschuh/Contributor
To meet Ryan Allen, one would never suspect under the mild-mannered exterior roars the heart of a fighter.
There is no canvass of tattoos covering his body, his nose is not deformed from taking too many blows and he is far too quick to smile, but make no mistake, behind his easy going nature is a true competitor.
Allen, who earned the nickname Grizz because of his raw power, made his amateur fighting debut last year, scoring a TKO victory in a matter of seconds. His second fight was stopped in the second round where he recorded another TKO win.
Allen will now step into the cage for the third time when he meets Micah Bakerfield for the Battlefield Fight League’s 185-pound amateur title Saturday, Feb. 11 at Wesbild Centre in Vernon.
Bakerfield is the reigning BFL amateur champion and he brings a wrestling pedigree to the cage, but Allen is no stranger to fighting on the ground holding a purple belt with Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under blackbelts Mario Deveault and Dave Rothwell.
The title tilt marks Allen’s middleweight debut as he drops down to 185 pounds from the 205-pound class.
Allen said he got into mixed martial arts for the competition, and he feels the best competition in BFL is in the 185-pound division.
“I want the harder fights,” said Allen. “He (Brakefield) is already established as the amateur champion.”
Allen feels good about the weight cut, and has been working hard on his cardio. A purple belt with Gracie Barra Vernon Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Allen feels his ground game is stronger than Brakefield who comes from a strong wrestling background.
But if Brakefield wants to stand and trade blows, Allen is ready for that as well having spent time with a boxing coach to improve his already solid stand up game.
Deveault said he is not concerned about Brakefield’s wrestling background.
“If he wants to go to the ground, good luck with that,” said Deveault. “If he wants to stand with Ryan, well, good luck with that as well.
“After this fight, Micah may want to re-evaluate his MMA career. That’s how confident I am in Ryan.”
During a pre-fight interview, Brakefield proclaimed Allen will be stepping up in his level of competition and Deveault agrees – sort of.
“Yes Micah this is a step up for Ryan, but Ryan is a step up for him as well,” said Deveault.