In the shadow of Netflix’s Rousey vs. Carano card, a rare spot for the UFC to find itself in these days, UFC Vegas 117 unfolded at the Meta Apex on Saturday, with featherweights Arnold Allen and Mequizael Costa headlining.
Allen, a longtime British contender at 145lbs, was in a bit of a rough spell, 1-3 in his last four. Costa, is his first main event assignment for the promotion, had won six straight and was looking like a star of the future.
The pair clinched up about a minute in after a solid left hand connected for Allen. That left spun Costa around, though he climbed back up, only to be taken down. Allen was then all over him, as the pair did a bit of hand fighting while the Brit draped himself over Costa’s back.
Costa, however, was not out of it. He’d reverse and get on top, taking the back himself and getting one hook in. Allen attemted to climb back up only to put himself in a worse spt, though he’d escape that and make it back to his feet.
Allen would reverse one last time, and they’d head to the second, with Costa firing kicks early. Costa’s calf kicks would begin to have an impact, but Allen ripped a few of his own back. Costa would go to his back later in the round, but Allen declined to engage with him there.
Round three started active, the pair going back-and-forth on the feet again, Costa finding more success with his kicks, Allen answering. He’d find success with his hands about two minutes in, but while Costa had to bail for a moment, he came back with his own left hand seconds later. Again, however, Allen was able to connect to the side of the head and Costa tried to escape out the side. With just under two minutes to go, Allen got the fight down in a scramble, but Costa was busy off his back. Still, Allen was able to fire an elbow over the top, then get to work, first from guard then side control. Costa moved to his knees, but Allen had the back, draping himself over Costa and firing punches. Costa rolled, ending up on his back with Allen on top for a moment, before the Brit backed off and motioned for Costa to get up.
That led to a spinning attack by Costa, and a big left by Allen.
Round four saw Costa trying to press the action. Allen’s left hand remained a very dangerous weapon, but Costa, through bloodied, had a spring back in his step. They went to the fence, and Allen got a bodylock in; seconds later they were on the mat, over half the round still on the clock. Not where Costa wanted to be. Allen would get over a minute on top before he backed off, again allowing Costa, who was busy off his back, to his feet. The pair traded high kicks, and Allen added a push kick to the body, a punch trailing it. Two came back Allen’s way before Costa added a knee. And a spinning attack.
The action picked up early in round five, Costa coming out hot and connecting one more than one occasion. Allen clinched up at center, however, and landed an easy takedown. That left Costa in need of getting up quickly, and he did make his way to the fence. Allen tried to drag him away from it, but Costa regained his feet, Allen still holding on to a bodylock. Back down they went moments later. Costa did make it back up. And again, it was right back down. Costa appeared to have tired, and was expending a lot of energy getting back up off each and every takedown. Allen would try to step over Costa’s guard, but wound up settling back into it. Either way, there wasn’t much time left, and the fight was slipping away from Costa. When he did get back up, Allen was on his back.
Arnold Allen would control Melky Costa right to the final bell, earning a unanimous decision to return to the win column in the UFC Vegas 117 main event.
Official Result: Arnold Allen def. Melquizael Costa by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)
