Following another exciting instalment of UFC Fight Night, Arnold Allen showcased his class after a clinical unanimous decision victory over Melquizael Costa at the Meta Apex arena on Sunday morning.
Keeping his spot 😤@ArnoldBFA earns the hard-fought UD victory to walk out of #UFCVegas117 victorious!
— UFC (@ufc) May 17, 2026
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Allen fought positively from the first buzzer as Costa battled under his intensity during the early exchanges of the first round. After mounting pressure, a strong left saw Costa drop to the canvas while Allen searched for a guillotine choke. With Costa scrambling, the Brazilian took Allen’s back moments before the round ended.
The fight slowed down in the second round, mostly with Allen applying pressure using stiff jabs and low kicks. Allen managed to find a decent range on his opponent, and his calf kicks troubled him throughout the round.
It was in the third round that Allen once again cranked up the volume and found success with strong hooks and leg kicks. Allen then landed a powerful right hand that saw Costa lose his balance en route to eating nasty punches on the ground before the two fighters got back up with 30 seconds to go.
While Allen continued his pressure in the fourth, the Englishman secured yet another takedown, albeit briefly. However, Costa landed early in the fifth round before leaving his opposite number stunned momentarily. In response, Allen managed to secure another takedown in what was a remarkable recovery before he unleashed a series of punches on the ground soon before the final buzzer.
Speaking after the five-round fight, Allen spoke of his frustration at heading toward a decision given past experiences with fight judges, while he hopes for a future rematch with Movsar Evloev.
“F–k these decisions, man,” Allen said.
“I’ve been f–-ed in the ass so many times with these decisions, and I’m sick of it. I thought I was getting f–-ed again right there. But f–k, I’ve got some rematches. Movsar, win that title, I want your ass back, boy!”
Arnold Allen is one-of-a-kind 😂
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) May 17, 2026
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In the Co-main event, Dooho Choi recorded his third straight victory with a second-round stoppage over Daniel Santos. Choi left his opponent hurt with a crippling shot to the body before the referee stopped the fight.
Elsewhere, Juan Diaz put the UFC Bantamweight division on notice with a submission victory over Malcom Wellmaker in the second round.
Making his debut, Diaz looked comfortable in the Octagon, particularly in the second round, where he found success through grappling before securing a rear-naked choke on Wellmaker.
UFC Fight Night Main Card results:
Main Event: Arnold Allen defeated Melquizael Costa by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)
DooHo Choi defeated Daniel Santos by TKO (strikes) at 4:29 of Round 2
Juan Diaz defeated Malcolm Wellmaker by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:08 of Round 2
Modestas Bukauskas defeated Christian Edwards by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Benardo Sopaj defeated Timmy Cuamba by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:25 of Round 2
Khaos Williams defeated Nikolay Veretennikov by TKO (strikes) at 3:31 of Round 1