Whether star power, or brand recognition, matters more might be the question answered on Saturday. Netflix has Ronda Rousey, Nate Diaz, Francis Ngannou, and rising stars like Phumi Nkuta and Salahdine Parnasse. The UFC has Arnold Allen vs. Melquizel Costa, Doo-Ho Choi, and Malcolm Wellmaker.

The ratings edge clearly favors Netflix based on the sheer number of subscribers and names involved – but UFC Vegas 117 could still punch up in weight.

Weigh-ins for the Las Vegas-based card, set for the Meta Apex, take place Friday morning starting at 12PM ET, 9AM PT. Results can be found below.

UFC Vegas 117: Allen vs. Costa Weigh-In Results

Main card

Featherweight: Arnold Allen (145.5) vs. Melquizael Costa (145.5)
Featherweight: Choi Doo-ho (146) vs. Daniel Santos (145)
Bantamweight: Malcolm Wellmaker (135.5) vs. Juan Díaz (135.5)
Catchweight (215lb): Modestas Bukauskas (213.5) vs. Christian Edwards (214.5)
Bantamweight: Timothy Cuamba (136) vs. Bernardo Sopaj (136)
Welterweight: Nikolay Veretennikov (170.5) vs. Khaos Williams (170.5)

Preliminary card

Light Heavyweight: Tuco Tokkos (205.5) vs. Ivan Erslan (205.5)
Lightweight: Thomas Gantt (156) vs. Artur Minev (155)
Women’s Bantamweight: Ketlen Vieira (136) vs. Jacqueline Cavalcanti (135.5)
Middleweight: Cody Brundage (185.5) vs. Andre Petroski (185.5)
Women’s Strawweight: Alice Ardelean (116) vs. Polyana Viana (115.5)
Flyweight: Daniel Barez (125.5) vs. Luis Gurule (125.5)
Women’s Strawweight: Shauna Bannon (115.5) vs. Nicolle Caliari (115.5)

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Dwarfing the UFC Vegas 117 Fight Night card that same night, the event sees one of the UFC’s biggest stars of the 2010s, Ronda Rousey, return for one last fight against women’s MMA pioneer Gina Carano.

Also on the star-studded card, Mike Perry and Nate Diaz throw down, while MMA’s lineal heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou takes on former PFL and UFC fighter Philipe Lines.

While there have and will be complaints about the time Rousey and Carano have been away from the sport, since 2016 and 2009 respectively, there are plenty of bright spots on the card. One is Salahdine Parnasse, the former KSW double champ, considered one of the best featherweights outside the UFC. Another is undefeated flyweight Phumi Nkuta, who steps in to replace ex-UFC star Muhammad Mokaev on short notice opposite former ONE champ Adriano Moraes.

With Netflix being in more homes than any other streamer, MVP’s first foray into MMA is almost certain to be big. How big will likely dictate what, if any, future cards they put on, but they’ve at least pulled out all the stops for their debut.

Ahead of the event, tune in for the pre-fight press conference above, starting on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 9:30PM ET, 6:30PM PT.

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Few predicted Ethyn Ewing would get the win over Wellmaker (10-1) last November at UFC 322, but he’s since become something of a prospect killer. As for Wellmaker, it’s been six months since that fight, something he has attempted to use to his advantage.

While the media didn’t turn out in Las Vegas this week thanks to the Rousey vs. Carano card on Netflix, Wellmaker still answered questions on Wednesday ahead of the bout.

On the extra time off after his last fight

“It was tough, because last year I competed really frequently, and I was itching to get back in there. I was calling my manager, asking about this date, asking about that date. And after I realized it was going to be a little bit longer, I took advantage of that time. I settled down, I talked to my coaches and we focused on technical improvements. Sharpening the mind instead of going super hard and breaking down the body as if I’m preparing for a fight. So the time turned out ot be very developmental for me.”

What has the last 12 to 15 months been like?

“It’s been crazy because it’s not been like the last 30 years of my life. I became an actual full time athlete, I fought frequently on the biggest stages, I made a ton of money, still am compared to what I was. And I got to be active, I got to be relevant, I got to rub shoulders with so many big names and to really get a taste of what it’s like to really embrace this new role that I have in my job. And then when things slowed down, believe it or not it still looks so different than it used to. I’m still full time training, I’m super committed to my teammates as well, helping them in their camps. I’ve got a couple young guys that I’m helping develop, and I’m spending a lot of time as an athlete studying film. I’m spending a lot of time doing slow technical jiu-jitsu, slow technical boxing. So even then with the past six months compared to the six months before that, it was still something I’ve never experienced and it’s been a blessing. I love it.”

Using the Ewing loss in a positive way

“Moving past it was very difficult and to be honest, I never fully moved past it because I was able to use it in a positive way. For the first couple weeks, to be honest with you it was hard. I was avoiding it, I didn’t want to watch the fight, I didn’t want to talk about the fight. But once I got over the initial blow, that hard spot, I was able to break it down, I was able to have conversations with my coaches. I was able to see the silver lining, and I was able to use it as fuel to the fire. Even the resulting criticism from most of the internet or fanbase, it was more or less warranted, but better than anything it drove me to push myself to new limits. Not just physically, but as far as my technical skills, as far as my mentality, my psychology. I feel like a completely different fighter because of that loss, and it’s going to be amazing this Saturday. I can’t wait.”

The full UFC Vegas 117 media session with Malcolm Wellmaker can be found above.

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Santos (13-2) hasn’t lost a fight since his UFC debut. The featherweight has won four straight, the last two against Korean fighters.

In a bare-bones media session on Wednesday, the result of this weekend’s Rousey vs. Carano card on Netflix, Santos exclaimed that he’s here to dominate the featherweight division.

On fighting Doo-Ho Choi at UFC Vegas 117

“Feeling great, third Korean in a row. I think that they’re similar styles. Obviously Choi is a different name, talking about somebody who’s had a lot of experience in the UFC, and also somebody who had a great fight against Cub Swanson. There’s some familiarity with their game, and I’m ready to put on a great show on Saturday.”

What he learned from his first bout in the UFC, a loss to Julio Arce

“I think it was the anxiety of the first fight in the UFC. Every time you step in for the first time, into that octagon, there’s a lot that goes into it. You’re anxious, there’s a lot of adrenaline as well. So with more time in the octagon, just being there and being familiar with being in the octagon, I think the anxiety goes away and you feel different about the way you fight.”

On making a bigger impact in a co-main event fight

“That’s why I worked hard for so many years to actually be in that position. That’s what we wanted to do, those are the opportunities we wanted, we wanted to just progress and go up the rankings, and ascend as much as possible and be up there. And that’s what I want to show. I want to show people I’m a tough athlete, I’m a tough opponent, somebody who’s ready for it, that has evolved and that is going to be a champion. I want to be in this position. I want to show dominance throughout my fights, and I came to dominate, I came to dominate this division, all the way to being a champion. That’s what I want.”

The full UFC Vegas 117 media session with Daniel Santos can be found above.

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Brazil’s Costa has won six straight fights, and is coming into the Fight Night card at the Meta Apex off a finish of the always durable Dan Ige.

In a media session for UFC cameras this week, Costa gave his reaction to booking his first main event and more.

Reaction to main event offer

“My manager called me, ‘hey Melky, you’re like on vacation. Hunter [Campbell, UFC Chief Business Officer] called me right now, main event, you versus Arnold Allen. You like?’

‘Oh, it’s good. I love it. Let’s go.'”

On seeing his face on the event poster

“Incredible.”

Thoughts on Arnold Allen

“This is perfect for me. Arnold Allen has great fighting, great striking with great grappling. And he has been in the UFC a long time, but this is my moment. Sorry Allen, but I’m going to knock you out.”

How he sees the UFC Vegas 117 main event playing out

“I think it’s going to be an electrifying fight, a lot of crazy striking in the beginning. I think he’s going to try to take me down, because even strikers, when they feel my punches they decide to grapple. I can submit him in the first round too, but I think it’s going to be a knockout in the second.”

Plans for 2026

“This year, I’ll have at least three fights. One for the ranking, one to get in the mix for the belt, and one for the belt.”

The full UFC Vegas 117 media session with Melquizel Costa can be found above.

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With the MMA world focused on Netflix’s Rousey vs. Carano card, Allen (20-4) had a little sitdown in front of UFC cameras, munching on breakfast, microphone stuffed in his shirt, wry sense of humor on full display.

He also had a little advice. “We’re all going to die some day, so live every day like it’s the last.”

On the lack of star power in the UFC

“People talk about now, ‘oh there’s a lack of star power in the UFC.’ I’m probably like top three superstars in the UFC. Who’ve you got, [Alex] Pereira, Ilia [Topuria], me? We’re probably the three big names when you think superstar. So headlining, obviously, again obviously. Life’s good man. The only thing that’s different is I’m making a lot more money. Got more of a team here, there’s more people. Going to the Trump hotels, get a suite sometimes. I bought a hat, USA let’s go. Things are good.”

Getting a quick turnaround for a change

“That’s the dream, to be active and fight. I have people messaging me thinking that I don’t like fighting. ‘Is it true you don’t like to fight?’ I’m literally in the UFC, I f*cking love fighting. If I’m not fighting, it’s because I literally cannot.”

Lessons learned from his Jean Silva loss

“Maybe I had too much fun, but I felt great in there, I felt like I dis enough. I felt too good, honestly I felt too good. I was like ‘f*ck this is sick, I feel great.’ Maybe that, yeah. Dunno, maybe don’t have as much fun.”

Thoughts on Melky Costa

“He’s fantastic man. Brilliant. He has a big record, a lot of fights, Muay Thai fights. Hard to know with Brazilians, because a lot of them have fought a lot of nobodies, so their records are very big. You know, people have gone over there and fought a lot of- Darren Till was one, he was over there, he was like 14-0. Maybe he did. But loads of guys are over there building their records up. But now he [Costa] seems to be getting better every fight. He’s fighting live fights, real fights, tough opponents and taking them out. He looks fantastic. So yeah he’s a great opponent.”

The full UFC Vegas 117 media session with Arnold Allen can be found above.

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Featherweight Choi (16-4-1) is paired up with Daniel Santos, who has a couple of wins over other Korean talents, leading to an unofficial nickname: “The Korean Killer.”

That’s a title Choi addressed during this week’s media day in Las Vegas, though with most outlets focusing on Netflix’s Rousey vs. Carano card, it amounted to something of a Q&A in front of UFC cameras.

On his time on the sidelines

“For the two years, I recovered health-wise, I recovered perfectly. And I had a lot of chances to improve my new strategies, so I’m ready to show that this year.”

On opponent Daniel Santos

“I had one match with him previously [a cancelled bout in 2025], and I was expecting a lot of him, and I saw his fights with other Korean fighters as well. So I’m ready to fight with him, and I’m excited for it.”

What the gameplan is at UFC Vegas 117

“As a gameplan, I expect a lot of strikes and striking strategy between the two [fighters], including me. I always think that all the fights will be my last, so that’s how I expect the fights will be.”

The most experienced Korean in UFC faces The Korean Killer

“I have a lot of responsibility in the title [most experienced Korean UFC fighter], and I know that Daniel Santos has won two fights over two Korean fighters. He’s also known as the ‘Korean Killer.’ So what I want to show in this fight is that I want to erase that title and show him who is [victorious].”

The full UFC Vegas 117 media session with Doo-Ho Choi can be found above.

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“I’m very happy with my performance, for this victory. I was sure we would win,” Ochoa told reporters including Cageside Press at his post-fight scrum.

“Even more I’m very happy to be able to dedicate this win to my father, my team, and my entire family.”

Ochoa (9-2) put together a striking masterpiece against Carpenter who badly wanted the takedown, but wasn’t able to secure anything. Ochoa knew he was well-prepared for this fight.

“I’m happy with everything that I did in there. I wasn’t surprised by anything that happened in there. In fact, I thought I was going to get the knockout,” he said.

“But we went the 15 minutes and I was prepared for that as well.”

Following the bout Ochoa used his post-fight interview to propose to the mother of his child back in Brazil. Word traveled fast and he got his answer in the locker room.

“It’s obvious that she said yes,” he said with a smile.

“She was just waiting for me to ask.”

Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Jose Ochoa above.

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During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani show this week, Rousey, who headlines the debut of MMA on Netflix this Saturday opposite fellow women’s fighting legend Gina Carano, shed some light on Campbell’s reaction to the fight.

Rousey vs. Carano was originally in the works with the UFC, prior to the promotion shifting to Paramount+ at the start of 2026. With that move, Pay-Per-View in the U.S. went away, as did Pay-Per-View dollars, the bonus money written into the contracts of top stars that saw them paid above and beyond their purse if events performed well.

Ronda Rousey had been offered what she has called the best deal of career by Dana White for the Carano fight, but with the change in broadcaster, the deal was off the table. That has left Rousey being critical of the promotion she once called home, and though she has been civil with White, she did not hold back on Campbell, admitting that her issue with him is personal.

“With Hunter it was personal, because he was just a f*cking asshole about it,” Rousey said of the deal that ultimately did not happen with the UFC. “He was just being such a chauvinist prick, and he was being so dismissive. Just trying to get me and Gina to value ourselves less from the get-go, and acting like this isn’t the greatest thing that’s fallen into his lap since he’s been there.”

For one, Campbell was critical of the pair’s age. Rousey is 39, Carano is 44.

“He was like, ‘Oh, you guys are just so much older, and I just don’t know how it’s going to do.’ Like, who the f*ck is this guy? But then Dana mentioned, because he wanted me and Gina to fight for the 145 title, because it was vacant, as a way to retire the belt.”

“And then Hunter was like, ‘Yeah, then we can get rid of that division.’ And just the way that he spoke of it, and how dismissive he was, and the disdain that he had for the fighters at that weight. And I’m like ‘motherf*cker, my husband is 6’7. My girls are not going to be 135. This is what you think? Women that are heavier than 135 pounds can’t offer you anything? That they’re worthless? That they’re worth scoffing at?’ It just really rubbed me the wrong way. That like this f*cking guy is the person that’s going to be shepherding the company that I helped build? It really, really rubbed me the wrong way.”

Rousey also got her mom’s take on the issue. AnnMaria De Mars, Rousey’s mother, was part of the California State Athletic Commission when Dana White’s PowerSlap was campaigning to be sanctioned.

Rousey’s mom suggested Campbell would sell tickets to Christians being fed to lions back in the day. During hearings on PowerSlap, De Mars recalled Campbell saying that “A lot of these guys would just be doing meth in a trailer park if it wasn’t for this.”

White wished her well and told her to go make her money; he and Rousey appear to remain on good terms. As for Campbell, “he’s a dick,” Rousey finished.

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The fight didn’t exactly go to plan.

“The plan was never to step back. Not a step backwards, that was the plan. Basically after the first round, we had to do something different,” the Russian fighter told media outlets including Cageside Press backstage at the Prudential Center following Saturday’s event. Kopylov’s striking coach told him between rounds to switch from single strikes to combinations. “That seemed to have worked, because we definitely dropped him. We weren’t able to finish him up, but at least we know combination punching worked for our game plan.”

When Kopylov dropped Tulio for the first time, Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier were critical of Kopylov’s decision to clinch up, rather than hunt for the finish.

“That one, my corner told me after the fight that if I had just let him go, I wouldn’t have finished him,” noted Kopylov in response.

However, at the end of the round, “the strength was kind of running out, the eye was kind of closing, the blood was in the way. So I wanted to make sure I didn’t overextend myself and not finish the fight that way.”

Roman Kopylov came away with a unanimous decision instead, snapped a two-fight skid in the process.

Watch the full UFC 328 post-fight press conference with Roman Kopylov above.

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