Brendan Allen warns Israel Adesanya that it's never easy to return from a long layoff: 'Guys are evolving so fast'

Brendan Allen suggests Israel Adesanya could struggle in his return if he takes too much time off.

Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) announced that he’ll be taking a hiatus after losing his middleweight title to Sean Strickland this past September at UFC 293.

“The Stylebender” didn’t reveal how much time off he’s planning on taking, but rising contender Allen (23-5 MMA, 11-2 UFC) warns him that it may not bode well for him when he’s back.

“Good for him, but it’s never easy to come back after a long layoff,” Allen told ESPN. “Things just evolve so fast. The guys get better. The top changes with these guys that are evolving so fast and that are young and hungry.

“He’s really going to have to come back a whole new guy, depending on how long he stays out. He’ll have to come back a whole new guy to even compete at the top. It’s just crazy how fast everything evolves and how good guys get in such short periods of time.”

Winner of his past six in a row, Allen called for a No. 1 contender fight after submitting Paul Craig in the UFC Fight Night 232 headliner. He sees two opponents as logical options to get him there.

“I think next for me is Robert Whittaker or Jared Cannonier,” Allen said. “I think those are the two names that make sense. I think winning over them, even finishing over them, gets me a title shot. That’s what we need. We need new guys, new blood.

“All these guys up there have fought for the belt or fought each other. We need somebody new. I’m that new guy. I’m that young guy. I bring something different to the table with my style, my age, my resume – just everything is a lot different. I think I’m the guy to shake up everything. I think those two names are realistic for me.”