MMA action shifts back to the Meta APEX as the featherweight match-up between Arnold Allen and Melquizael Costa headlines the UFC Vegas 117 card on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Despite riding a six-fight win streak, Costa heads into the fight as the betting underdog with +110 UFC odds, while Allen, who dropped his most recent bout, will be the -135 betting favorite.
UFC Vegas 117: Allen vs. Costa Fight Odds
- Arnold Allen: -135
- Melquizael Costa: +110
UFC Vegas 117: Allen vs. Costa: Tale of the Tape
| Arnold Allen | Melquizael Costa | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 32 | 29 |
| Height | 5’8” | 5’10” |
| Reach | 70 inches | 71 inches |
| Leg Reach | 39 inches | 40.5 inches |
| Record | 20-4 | 26-7 |
| Fighting Style | MMA | MMA |
| Finishing Rate | 55% | 65% |
UFC Vegas 117: Allen vs. Costa: Prediction
My prediction is a decision win for Costa over Allen, as he’s the more active fighter and throws more volume of strikes, particularly his signature kicks. These kicks will be Costa’s main weapon in inflicting significant damage on Allen.
Allen’s high guard stance makes his body vulnerable to kicks, which is why I think Costa will take advantage of that by throwing body kicks and front kicks down the middle, so that Allen lowers his guard.
Once Costa forces Allen to lower his guard to protect his body, he can start headhunting with punches and head kicks up top. But the toughness and proven granite chin of Allen will allow him to survive for five rounds and see the judges’ scorecards.
Arnold Allen’s Recent Fight Results
Allen is a highly touted prospect when he was signed by the UFC in 2015. However, he has only won two of his last five fights. His victories were over Calvin Kattar and Giga Chikadze, while his losses were courtesy of Max Holloway, Movsar Evloev, and Jean Silva.
Melquizael Costa’s Recent Fight Results
Costa was a former Predador titleholder before he was signed by the UFC in 2023. He’s currently on a six fight win streak with triumphs over Shayilan Nuerdanbieke, Andre Fili, Christian Rodriguez, Julian Erosa, Morgan Charriere, and Dan Ige.
UFC Vegas 117: Allen vs. Costa Fight Card
- Arnold Allen vs. Melquizael Costa, featherweight main event fight
- Dooho Choi vs. Daniel Santos, featherweight fight
- Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Juan Diaz, bantamweight fight
- Modestas Bukauskas vs. Christian Edwards, light heavyweight fight
- Timmy Cuamba vs. Benardo Sopaj, bantamweight fight
- Nikolay Veretennikov vs. Khaos Williams, welterweight fight
- Tuco Tokkos vs. Ivan Erslan, light heavyweight fight
- Thomas Gantt vs. Artur Minev, lightweight fight
- Ketlen Vieira vs. Jacqueline Cavalcanti, women’s bantamweight fight
- Cody Brundage vs. Andre Petroski, middleweight fight
- Alice Ardelean vs. Polyana Viana, women’s strawweight fight
- Daniel Barez vs. Luis Gurule, flyweight fight
- Shauna Bannon vs. Nicolle Caliari, women’s strawweight fight
UFC Betting at the Online Sportsbook
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