UFC Vegas 117 Arnold Allen vs Melquizael Costa Main Card Preview, Odds, Watch Info & FAQ
Written by: Tristan Vieira
Last Update: Fri May 15, 2026, 2:52 pm ET
Read Time: 8 minutes
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Saturday night will be very exciting for MMA fans capped off with an impressive 13 fight card at UFC Vegas 117. The card features 13 high level match ups, including 2 high level featherweight bouts headlined in the Main & Co Main events.
Arnold Allen will look to defend his ranking and get back in the win column. He will take on the red hot prospect Melquizael Costa who has been on an incredible streak over the past year.
The match up is sure to shake up the rankings, much like the Co – Main event. Daniel Santos will look to continue his winning streak when he takes on the Korean prospect Doo Ho Choi.
The winner will certainly be propelled to bigger fights in the top 10 of featherweight. Saturday night will be an action packed night for MMA fans, but no promoter does a fight card quite like the UFC.
Without further a due lets get right into a preview of the main card at UFC Vegas 117!
All odds presented by our Partner at LuckyRebel as of 5/15/2026 1:22 p.M
Check out the odds for the entire card at the best online sportsbooks available in the U.S.
Main Event: Arnold Allen vs Melquizael Costa Preview – Featherweight
Highly Anticipated Featherweight Main Event
The Main Event of UFC Vegas features top Featherweight contenders. Arnold Allen will look to get back in the win column when he takes on the red hot Melquizael Costa.
Contrary to his opponent, Costa is on a very impressive streak as of late. The winner of 6 straight fights, Costa has proven he belongs in the top of the division.
Earning his spot by way of a short notice opportunity against Thiago Moises. Costa lost that debut opportunity and did not have the best start to his UFC run going 2-2 in his first 4 bouts.
At the start of 2025 something started to click for the prospect. Costa went on to win 4 straight bouts in 2025 over top competition, including finishes in 2.
In January of this year Costa took on his toughest test to date and passed with flying colors. The prospect dismantled Dan Ige in under a round, becoming the first fighter to finish Ige by KO.
An impressive feat when considering the legendary resume of Ige. The finish also earned him his second performance bonus in just 4 fights, positioning him for a run at the belt.
Tomorrow will be the biggest step up in competition in Costas young career. Arnold Allen will look to derail the prospect and put himself back in the win column.
Unfortunately Allen has found himself fighting murderers row in his last 4 bouts. In that run he has gone 1-3 including back to back losses.
It may be easy to assume Allen is on the decline when judging his record at face value. It must be mentioned the losses came at the hands to former champion Max Holloway, current title challenger Movsar Evloev, and #1 contender Jean Silva.
All came by masterclass type performances in which Allen fought well but was not able to overcome. Costa will finally be a step down in competition for Allen, which is impressive considering the level of prospect Costa actually is.
Allen is a massive body for the division but will be at a height disadvantage here. The British star often relies on his tight striking defense and heavy hands to will his way to victory.
Through his career Allen has often struggled with calf kicks due to his boxing style. Allen is often heavy on his lead leg as he uses it to plant when throwing big punches.
A versatile striker like Costa could present real issues striking. Though Costa's only weakness could be an easy path to victory for Allen, his chin.
It has been almost 4 years since Allen's last TKO victory and with his back against the wall I expect him to go out swinging here. This match up is sure to be fireworks and a great way to cap off a fantastic card of fights!
Arnold Allen vs Melquizael Costa Odds:
- Moneyline: Arnold Allen (-122) vs Melquizael Costa (+102)
- Round Total: 4.5 Total Rounds – Over (-140) / Under (+120)
- Most Likely Method Of Victory: Arnold Allen By Points (+145)
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Co – Main Event: Doo Ho Choi vs Daniel Santos Preview – Featherweight
Santos Looks To Continue His Impressive Run Against Doo Ho Choi
The Co – Main Event is a very exciting match up of top Featherweight contenders. Doo Ho Choi will make his long awaited return against Daniel Santos tomorrow night.
MMA fans have not seen Choi in action for over 2 years now. A strange lay off at 35 years old when considering the 4 year break Choi was forced to take due to military service in Korea.
Choi joined the UFC at the young age of 24 years old and quickly made a statement on the scene. In his first 3 bouts under the banner he ripped off 3 straight victories all coming by way of KO.
Unfortunately he soon plateaued once the match ups became increasingly harder. Choi went on to lose 3 straight fights, despite fighting some of the best of the best.
Including a hall of fame worth war with Cub Swanson which was just the first step in the decline. The final loss before military service was a war with Charles Jourdain where he was knocked out in round 2.
Since returning in 2023, Choi is actually undefeated and riding the momentum of back to back KO victories. A match up with Daniel Santos will by far be the biggest test Choi has faced since his return.
Daniel Santos has been on a tear in his UFC run despite having his fair share of issues. His biggest Opponent since joining the UFC has not been a real fighter, it has been the scale.
Santos has 7 cancelled bouts in his young career. Some due to injury but most due to weight cut issues, including forcing a catch weight in his last bout with Joo Sang Yoo.
Despite having weight issues at both Bantamweight, the prospect has now found himself with the same issues after moving up to featherweight.
The weight issues play no part in his skill set though, as he has proven to be rather dominant thus far. The Brazilian is currently riding a 4 fight win streak, finishing 2 of those bouts.
Santos is coming off the biggest win of his career when he dismantled another Korean prospect Joo Sang Yoo. A great team provides him the best support as he trains with Diego Lima at Chute Box in Brazil.
The high level gym sports some of the biggest MMA names in the world, giving Santos great looks in training. Santos is incredibly durable often eating damage to inflict much more later on in the fight.
The prospect does have a grappling presence often able to use his weight and bully his opponents. Santos often relies on his striking though, with big power and slick counter boxing.
There is no doubt Santos will have the cardio edge here as Choi often slows down later in fights. I believe this is an important factor in the match up, if Choi slows down late that is when Santos can take control of the fight.
Doo Ho Choi vs Daniel Santos Odds:
- Moneyline: Doo Ho Choi (+145) vs Daniel Santos (-170)
- Round Total: 2.5 Total Rounds – Over (-105) / Under (-115)
- Most Likely Method Of Victory: Daniel Santos By KO/TKO (+225)
Malcom Wellmaker vs Juan Diaz Odds – Bantamweight
- Moneyline: Malcom Wellmaker (-250) vs Juan Diaz (+210)
- Round Total: 2.5 Total Rounds – Over (+105) / Under (-125)
- Most Likely Method Of Victory: Malcom Wellmaker By KO/TKO (+125)
Modestas Bukauskas vs Christian Edwards Odds – Light Heavyweight
- Moneyline: Modestas Bukauskas (-310) vs Christian Edwards (+260)
- Round Total: 2.5 Total Rounds – Over (-105) / Under (-115)
- Most Likely Method Of Victory: Modestas Bukauskas By KO/TKO (+175)
Timmy Cuamba vs Bernardo Sopaj Odds – Bantamweight
- Moneyline: Timmy Cuamba (+110) vs Bernardo Sopaj (-130)
- Round Total: 2.5 Total Rounds – Over (-250) / Under (+207)
- Most Likely Method Of Victory: Bernardo Sopaj By Points (+155)
UFC Vegas 117 Schedule & FAQ
When is UFC Vegas 117?
- UFC Vegas 117 will take place Saturday, May 17th, 2026.
Where is UFC Vegas 117?
- UFC Vegas 117 will go down live at the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
What time does UFC Vegas 117 start?
- UFC Vegas 117 Preliminary Card start time: 5 p.m. ET
- UFC Vegas 117 Main Card start time: 8 p.m. ET
How to Watch UFC Vegas 117?
- UFC Vegas 117 Preliminary Card Coverage: Paramount+
- UFC Vegas 117 Main Card Coverage: Paramount+
How to Bet on UFC Vegas 117?
- Most international and domestic sportsbooks will carry odds for a fight card of this caliber, but check out our best online sportsbooks here to see what Betting News recommends for a great UFC betting experience.
Tristan Vieira is a Massachusetts native, that proudly represents the title town of Boston. Avidly watching MMA,NFL,and MLB growing up he was naturally drawn to gambling on those leagues, now he has garnered over 8 years of experience. With a passion to share his knowledge, he enjoys meticulously studying the current betting market and never without his tin foil hat near by or any hestitation to take a plus money bet!
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