UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Costa Preview

UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Costa, also known as UFC Vegas 117, takes place this Saturday, 16 May 2026, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main event features a compelling featherweight matchup between No. 7-ranked Arnold Allen and rising Brazilian contender Melquizael Costa, who arrives on a six-fight winning streak.

Main Event Stakes

Arnold Allen enters as the more established name, bringing elite-level experience and ranking pressure into the matchup. Melquizael Costa, though, has momentum on his side and has earned this opportunity by putting together an impressive run of six straight wins.

That contrast is what makes the main event interesting. Allen has the ranking, the experience, and the stronger résumé, while Costa brings confidence, consistency, and the chance to break through on a bigger stage.

Card Depth

The event is scheduled for 13 bouts, although a few late changes have altered the lineup. Short-notice replacements are in place for Modestas Bukauskas vs. Christian Edwards and Tommy Gantt vs. Artur Minev, while the welterweight bout between Nicolas Dalby and Jeremiah Wells was cancelled.

Even with those adjustments, the card still offers a solid mix of matchups across several divisions. Khaos Williams vs. Nikolay Veretennikov, Ketlen Vieira vs. Jacqueline Cavalcanti, and Cody Brundage vs. Andre Petroski all add recognizable names and useful depth.

Notable Fights

One of the more interesting matchups on the card is Dooho Choi vs. Daniel Santos at featherweight. Choi remains a well-known name to longtime UFC fans, and this fight gives the card another bout with real finishing potential.

Modestas Bukauskas against Christian Edwards also stands out, even with the short-notice change. At light heavyweight, that fight could produce a strong pace and a dramatic ending if either man finds momentum early.

What To Watch

The main event is the clear selling point, but this card has enough depth to stay relevant beyond the headliner. Allen needs to keep the fight in his range and use his experience wisely, while Costa will likely look to keep the pressure high and turn it into a breakout moment.

If the short-notice replacements hold up and the featured bouts deliver, UFC Vegas 117 could end up being one of those cards that performs better than the initial name value suggests. The headliner has the ingredients for a real test, and that alone gives the event a strong hook heading into Saturday night.