T-Mobile Arena — Las Vegas, Nevada
A high‑stakes featherweight showdown headlines UFC 117 as rising Brazilian contender Melquizael Costa steps into the biggest fight of his career against perennial top‑5 British powerhouse Arnold Allen. With title implications on the line and both men entering with something to prove, this matchup promises elite technique, pace, and tactical depth.
VENUE & EVENT DETAILS
Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Main Card Start: 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT
Costa vs. Allen Walkouts: Approximately 12:00 AM ET / 9:00 PM PT
Cage Size: 30‑foot Octagon
Altitude: Sea level
INJURY REPORT & CAMP NOTES
Melquizael Costa
- No reported injuries
- Full camp at Chute Boxe Diego Lima
- Focus on defensive wrestling and counter‑striking
- Coaches emphasize footwork and avoiding Allen’s pocket blitzes
Arnold Allen
- Recovered from minor hand soreness from previous bout
- Full camp at Tristar + UK affiliates
- Emphasis on pressure footwork, level‑change feints, and 5‑round conditioning
- Added more southpaw‑specific sparring to prepare for Costa’s stance switches
Both fighters enter healthy and fully prepared for a 25‑minute war.
RECENT FORM & MOMENTUM
Melquizael Costa — Last 5 Fights
- Record: 4–1
- Wins: 2 decisions, 1 KO, 1 submission
- Loss: 1 decision
- Trend: Rapid improvement, strong striking fundamentals, better takedown defense
Arnold Allen — Last 5 Fights
- Record: 3–2
- Wins: 2 decisions, 1 KO
- Losses: 2 decisions (both to top‑tier opponents)
- Trend: Still elite, but needs a statement win to reassert title contention
FIGHTER MATCHUP BREAKDOWN
Striking
- Costa: Long, technical, sharp counters, dangerous kicks
- Allen: Explosive bursts, powerful left hand, excellent combinations Edge: Allen (power), Costa (range & precision)
Grappling
- Costa: Solid defensive grappling, good scrambles
- Allen: Strong offensive wrestling, excellent top control Edge: Allen
Cardio
- Costa: Good 3‑round engine, untested in 5 rounds
- Allen: Proven 5‑round cardio, high pace Edge: Allen
Fight IQ
- Costa: Improving, but sometimes backs up in straight lines
- Allen: One of the smartest tacticians in the division Edge: Allen
FIGHT HISTORY & CONTEXT
Melquizael Costa
- Breakout performances in 2024–2026
- Known for clean striking and composure
- This is his first UFC main event
- A win would launch him into the top‑10 instantly
Arnold Allen
- Former title challenger
- Wins over Calvin Kattar, Dan Hooker, Sodiq Yusuff
- Still considered one of the most complete featherweights
- A win keeps him in the title picture; a loss is a major setback
First meeting between the two fighters.
BETTING TRENDS
Melquizael Costa Trends
- 4–1 in last 5
- 3–0 when out‑landing opponents by 20+ significant strikes
- 0–2 when taken down 3+ times
- Strong early, but untested in championship rounds
Arnold Allen Trends
- 7–2 in last 9
- 5–0 in fights where he lands 2+ takedowns
- 4–1 in 5‑round fights
- Historically strong in Rounds 4–5
Matchup Trends
- Allen’s pressure historically troubles long‑range strikers
- Costa’s best chance is early counter‑striking
- Allen’s durability and cardio give him late‑fight advantages
FIGHT ODDS
Melquizael Costa + 175
Arnold Allen ` – 210
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 15, 2026
