UFC Vegas 117: Allen vs Costa – Full Card Analysis

UFC Vegas 117: Allen vs Costa – 5.16.2026 – Fight Predictions and Analysis

Welcome to our collaborative coverage of UFC Vegas 117: Allen vs Costa. Tonight there are a lot of great fights but the UFC is back at Meta APEX in Las Vegas. Be sure to check out our full reasoning for every pick as our records will not reflect confidence in each selection. We will be picking every fight, but likely only recommend betting on a select few. 

Current Record

• Anthony: 132-57-3 (Last Year 331-183-3, 64%)
• Nick: 125-64-3 (Last Year 326-188-3, 63%)

*Fight odds were last updated from bet365 on 5-15-2026 at 9pm EST

Preliminary Card- Starts 5:00pm EST

Nicolle Caliari -280 vs Shauna Bannon +220

• Anthony: The card today begins with strawweights Nicolle Caliari and Shauna Bannon. This will be a low-level scrap to start action but it is a clash between a striker and a grappler. Bannon finds a lot of success utilizing her boxing and karate at range. Her best weapon is the lead leg which Bannon throws very often like it is a jab. It is also going to be a problem for Bannon if Caliari can time takedowns by catching those kicks. Caliari is a purple belt in jiu jitsu and decorated in terms of her grappling before transitioning to mixed martial arts. She thrives fighting here at 115 pounds where it is easier for her to control opponents that cannot muscle out of submission attempts. Bannon herself is comfortable when we’ve seen her fights hit the ground but I do not think she can hang out in the guard of Caliari. We are going to see the Brazilian get a chance at several submission attempts here. Bannon may score here with her offensive striking but I am expecting Caliari to control a majority of this bout. I am not going to bet on Caliari as the favorite because this will be very close if she does not score a submission win. Nicolle Caliari by Decision
• Nick: Nicolle Caliari is well-rounded with an 8-3 professional record. Five of those wins have come via KO and four via submission. Caliari has faced a solid level of regional competition; having fought in LFA, Invicta, and Pancrase. She’sv 0-2 in the UFC coming into this match-up, but she’s faced a quality level of opponent having fallen to Carli Judice and Ernesta Kareckaite. Shauna Bannon is 7-2 professionally, with four of her last five wins coming by decision. Bannon is athletic, but fairly raw in her abilities. She can be predictable both on the feet and in grappling exchanges. Additionally, most of her wins have come against a questionable level of competition. It does seem she’s improving, but at 32-years old it seems she could be hitting a plateau in terms of her career trajectory. This is a low level match-up which makes this a volatile fight to call, but I do see Caliari as the rightful favorite. Bannon fights on narrow margins, and Caliara seems like she’s still making improvements. I see Caliari winning this one on the mat. Nicolle Caliari by Round Two Submission

Luis Gurule -150 vs Daniel Barez +125

• Anthony: Next is a fight at flyweight between Luis Gurule and Daniel Barez. This will be a close fight likely decided by the judges today. Odds have remained close throughout the week for this fight but now Gurule is the clear betting favorite. I do not want to put any money on this fighter who has lost three in a row. He has a style at flyweight that I do not appreciate, walking forward and chasing opponents with his hands. Barez uses a stiff jab and better striking fundamentals to score consistently compared to Gurule. Despite only having 64” reach Gurule stalks his opponents and throws a lot of overhand attacks. Barez does not move very quickly but I hope he can avoid these big shots today. Barez also figures to have the advantage if this fight does hit the mat. Gurule will be eating body shots throughout this fight and I think any attempts to initiate the grappling here will be sloppy. Barez also has 80 percent takedown defense. Neither fighter has been trustworthy in terms of their cardio to fight hard for fifteen minutes. Barez is my pick to win in this fight but I could also see him fading away and selling in the final round. It is a low-level matchup and bettors should look elsewhere rather than investing. Daniel Barez by Decision
• Nick: Daniel Barez is 17-7 professionally. He is relatively well rounded, with seven professional wins coming via KO and six coming via submission. He’s quick in and out of breaks, he has a solid understanding of footwork, and his ability to mix in his grappling keeps his opponents guessing in striking exchanges. He has effective takedown entries both in open space and up against the cage, but he does seem to struggle at times in keeping his opponents grounded. Luis Gurule is 32 years old and 10-3 professionally, with five of those wins coming by way of knockout. Primarily a striker, Gurule is quick in and out of breaks with surprising power for his frame. He’s coming off three consecutive losses and he’s now 0-3 under the UFC banner after entering the promotion undefeated. This is another low level and volatile match-up, but I slightly prefer the Barez side. His age and durability are somewhat of a concern, but I expect he can push the pace here and land the bigger shots. Both of these fighters have cardio issues, but Gurule’s do seem to be more glaring. Daniel Barez by Round Three KO

Alice Ardelean -200 vs Polyana Viana +160

• Anthony: Next is a women’s strawweight fight between Polyna Viana and Arlice Ardelean. Viana has now lost three straight bouts appearing as the underdog in each. Her last victory was against Jinh Yu Frey in a matchup back in 2022. Ardelean is the rightful favorite in this fight but I am certainly not rushing to the window and betting on her. Ardelean has won back to back appearances but she has not been beating any quality competition. Viana should not be taken lightly at strawweight. Ardelean does well bullying opponents with her striking and walking through the punches that she is eating in return. There are not a lot of women in this weight class with fight-ending power so Ardelean’s style works, boxing fundamentally and wearing down opponents with her strikes. Viana will be facing an opponent here that can pick her apart on the feet. Viana needs to shoot and threaten with submissions here if she is going to win. I do think that there is a threat of Viana snatching an early armbar here facing another 34 year old. This is a good matchup for the Brazilian if she is ever going to win another fight. Her strength throughout grappling positions cannot be underestimated at strawweight. Ardelean will hopefully stack her and nullify the early threat of any finish. I am expecting Ardelean will cruise to a knockout or decision victory. Alice Ardelean by Decision
• Nick: Alice Ardelean is 11-7 professionally, and 2-2 under the UFC banner, coming off a decision win over Montserrat Conejo Ruiz. Ardelean had faced a mostly mediocre level of regional competition before she made it to the UFC, with the one exception being a loss to Weili Zhang in which she was submitted with relative ease. Ardelean is relatively well-rounded, but she’s somewhat unathletic for a strawweight. She has decent fundamentals, but she’s slow and predictable in her movements. Polyana Viana has outstanding BJJ, but she’s had trouble closing distance and getting her opponents to the mat. She strikes aggressively and she puts out a lot of volume, but she’s far from technical on the feet. She enters this match-up on a three-fight losing streak, and there is a good chance she’ll be fighting to hold her roster spot in this match-up. This one could go either way and there is no denying Ardelean will have the striking advantage. That being said, I do see value in Viana as an underdog. She’s been taking on a much higher level of opponent, and if she can get this fight to the mat she should be able to find a finish. Two of Ardelean’s five professional losses have come via submission. Polyana Viana by Round One Submission

Andre Petroski -200 vs Cody Brundage +160

• Anthony: This is a fight at middleweight between Andre Petroski and Cody Brundage. I do not want to watch or bet on this matchup. Brundage is making his fifth appearance here in a calendar year despite no victories. He continues to get opportunities to perform against opponents and never has very compelling wins. This is actually a fight where Brundage faces somebody as mediocre as him but I still would not want to take my chances on him as only a +160 underdog. Brundage struggles to win in any method other than early victory by lucky knockout. Petroski seems chinny and the type that could get caught by Brundage’ early flurries but he also has size and dominant wrestling that should secure him this fight. Petroski has lost in two straight appearances and he desperately needs this victory against one of the roster’s worst athletes. Averaging more than one takedown landed per round in his career, Petroski will get after the takedowns in this matchup and spend round two and three in control of Brundage. Petroski does not have much power in his hands but he could find a finish against Brundage here by grappling. I do expect that Brundage will defend the initial shot here before eventually laying on his back and losing this fight without much resistance. Andre Petroski by Decision
• Nick: Andre Petroski is a decorated collegiate level wrestler who mostly leans on his powerful grappling to overwhelm and discourage his opponents. He has shown KO power on the regional scene, but he telegraphs his strikes, which means in most matchups he’s best suited to lean on his grappling ability. He is 7-4 since joining the UFC, coming off an ugly KO loss to Cam Rowston. Cody Brundage has a powerful wrestling base and he does a good job pouring damage on his opponents if he can find himself in top position. He can be dangerous on the feet, but he telegraphs most of his strikes and recently it seems his cardio has become a major weakness. He is 11-9-1 professionally, but he’s been wildly inconsistent since he made his UFC debut. He enters this fight off three consecutive losses, and he is another fighter that is likely fighting to hold his roster position on this card. These are two of the worst fighters in the division, but I see Petroski as the slightly better of the two. While I don’t like the price, I expect he can secure the takedowns he needs to edge this one out on the scorecards. Andre Petroski by Decision

Jacqueline Cavalcanti -175 vs Ketlen Vieira +140

• Anthony: Next is a women’s bantamweight matchup between Jacqueline Cavalcanti and Ketlen Vieira. Cavalcanti is the rightful favorite in this spot and one of the bets that I am looking forward to placing this weekend. The 28 year old has done well scoring five straight victories since debuting in the promotion. Cavalcanti has still not won in the UFC by finish but this is going to be an opportunity for her to showcase her full skillset today. Vieira is a staple of this division but now a bit over the hill at this stage of her career. The Brazilian is extremely dependent on the takedown in order to win this fight. Cavalcanti has shown 88 percent takedown defense which is excellent. Throughout this fight Cavalcanti will be landing a consistent offensive on the feet. She does well putting together combinations and hitting opponents with everything as she moves forward, mixing in elbows and kicks. I expect her to punish Vieira here in clinch positions as she attempts to grapple. Cavalcanti also averages 5.65 significant strikes landed per minute. That high output and consistent volume will be enough to shut down all of Vieira’s offense here today. I am expecting this to be a dominant victory for Cavalcanti sweeping the scorecards. She will win this fight even if she does spend a full round taken down and controlled. Jacqueline Cavalcanti by Decision 
• Nick: Jacqueline Cavalcanti is 10-1 professionally, with three of those nine wins coming via KO. She’s an aggressive striker who does a good job closing distance. While she has found a lot of success on the feet, it seems she’s already a better grappler than a majority of the division. Cavalcanti is 5-0 in the UFC, coming off a solid decision win over Mayra Bueno Silva. At 28 years-old, she continues to show improvement every time we see her fight. Ketlen Vieira is a blackbelt in both BJJ and Judo. She has strong takedown and submission ability, but she seems entirely content to fight at striking range or up against the cage. Most of her success in the UFC has come against inferior grapplers, and in spite of some recent success, there is no denying the fact she’s entering the back half of her career. Vieira is inconsistent, but I do see value in her here as an underdog. Cavalcani will be outlanding her in terms of volume, but I see Vieira pulling away if she can take this fight to the mat. Ketlen Vieira by Decision

Thomas Gantt -210 vs Artur Minev +170

• Anthony: Here is a matchup at lightweight between Thomas Gantt and Artur Minev. This is the UFC debut for Gantt who is still undefeated 11-0. He is facing Minev here on short notice after being scheduled to make his debut against Trey Ogden. Minev is also an undefeated fighter but far less experienced at 7-0. He has not been fighting long professionally and the opponents that he has beaten are very low quality. Gantt is not very experienced in terms of mixed martial arts but he is a former All-American wrestler and ACC champion at North Carolina State. He is a dynamic grappler that utilizes his strength and wrestling to win in every one of his bouts. Minev is a stout fighter for this division but I do not think he will have any success defending these takedown attempts. This pace and wrestling pressure will eventually cause Minev to fold here and allow Gantt to cede control in top position. Minev has also been rocked in fights before and I do not think he boasts great durability. The short notice draw should not give Gantt any issues here as he makes this anticipated first appearance. I expect to see this fight go at least two rounds but a finish could materialize. Thomas Gant by Round Three Submission
• Nick: Thomas Gantt will be making his UFC debut here, coming off an impressive submission win over Adam Livingston on Contender Series. Gantt is 11-0 professionally, and 33 years old. While there is no denying the fact he’s getting a late break into the promotion given his age, Gantt has an extensive resume as a competitive wrestler. Gantt was an NCAA Division I All-American in 2016. He won the ACC Championship that year at 157 lbs and he was more recently a 2019 USA World Cup Bronze medalist. His striking continues to improve and he does have KO power, but there is no denying his greatest strength in MMA is certainly his powerful wrestling base. Arctic Miniev will be making his UFC debut here, taking this fight on short notice as a late replacement for the injured Trey Ogden. Miniev is 7-0 professionally, with four wins coming via KO and two coming via submission. He’s been taking on a decent level of regional opponent having primarily fought for Fury FC, but there is no denying this match-up represents a considerable step up for him here in terms of level of competition. Miniev fights at a fast pace, forcing his opponents to fight off their back foot. He has KO power, but it’s tough to gauge his true level as he’s still very raw in his abilities. His grappling ability is decent, but there’s a good chance he struggles to keep this particular fight on the feet. Gantt is the rightful favorite here. He’s a tremendous grappler and Minev will have issues as he’ll be outsized here and is taking this fight on short notice. Thomas Gantt by Round One Submission

Ivan Erslan -185 vs Tuco Tokkos +150

• Anthony: Next is a matchup at light heavyweight between Tuco Tokkos and Ivan Erslan. This is an extremely volatile matchup to predict but a rather simple bout as far as handicapping. Tokkos has showcased some quality grappling in previous fights such as in his submission win against Junior Tafa last summer. He is a durable fighter that can normally absorb damage well and push a pace against his opponents. Tokkos is certainly live to take over in this fight and submit Erslan with a choke in round two or three. However, Erslan is rightfully the betting favorite because of his great power and instincts to finish. Erslan has 11 professional wins all coming inside of one round. He is a light heavyweight that cannot be taken lightly during striking exchanges. Tokkos has utilized very rudimentary boxing and poor defense to get him this far. I am expecting to see him touched up early in this fight against Erslan. The reach advantage for Tokkos’ will once again go unused here as he loses most exchanges on the feet. Bettors interested in risking their money on Tokkos will need him to score takedowns in order to have any chance. Ivan Erslan by Round One KO
• Nick: Ivan Erslan has spent most of his career fighting for a highly-regarded regional promotion via KSW in Poland. Erslan is an explosive striker with true KO power. He’s extremely aggressive, which can be concerning at times as he’s more than willing to sacrifice defense for offense. He enters this match-up on a three-fight losing streak, but he’s in a more favorable stylistic match-up this time around. Tuco Tokkos broke into the UFC as a late notice replacement for Antonio Trócoli against Oumar Sy. He fell via submission in that promotional debut fight back in May, and at 35-years old there’s no denying he’s getting a late start to his career with the promotion. He is 1-2 in the UFC, coming off a win over Junior Tafa via submission. Tafa was finding early success in that match-up, but Tokkos did a quality job surviving and then taking the fight to the mat where he is certainly at his most comfortable. Tokkos will have a grappling advantage here, but it’s not significant enough to justify playing him as an underdog. Erslan is the much better striker, he’s more durable, and I expect he can keep this fight standing long enough to secure his first UFC win. Ivan Erslan by Round Two KO

Khaos Williams -130 vs Nikolay Veretennikov +110

• Anthony: The featured prelim is a fight at welterweight between Khaos Williams and Nikolay Veretennikov. This is a very close matchup and the odds have been moving back and forth. Both fighters look to take a step forward here after improving their grappling throughout training camp. Williams has spent recent weeks in the room training with Justin Gaethje and Kamaru Usman. It is important that Williams continues to drill takedown defense because he is so strong with his hands. Veretennikov has also been going hard with Khamzat Chimaev and Baisangur Susurkaev in preparation for this fight. He has shown to be dominant in terms of his top control and ground and pound when able to capitalize taking down opponents. Veretennikov certainly has a clear edge in wrestling as I handicap this fight. I also think there is upside with what Veretennikov can do with his striking. Opponents do not like to get hit by Veretennikov and his power can be just as mean as Williams’ in this division. I think the fight will likely be won by the fighter willing to wear more strikes and fight hard in the latter rounds. Both athletes are capable of winning via finish and I do think playing the under in this fight could cash easily. Props on no distance are near even money and more value than picking one side. Veretennikov will throw more volume and likely win if this does end up going to the scorecards. Nikolay Veretennikov by Decision
• Nick: Khaos Williams has grown a reputation as a knockout artist, but he’s coming off back-to-back professional losses for the first time in his career.  He’s a technical striker both offensively and defensively, but he can be overly conservative at times as he waits for fights to come to him. He has decent wrestling credentials, but it’s rare we see him try to lean on that part of his game.  Nikolav Veretennikov enters this fight with a 14-7 professional record at 36 years old. At his best, Veretennikov does a good job fighting at range and he carries surprising power even when he’s backing away from his opponents. He’s dangerous everywhere, but primarily a striker with nine of his thirteen professional wins coming via KO. His defensive grappling represents a major hole in his game, but he’s a decent match-up stylistically here against another fighter who prefers to strike. This is a tough fight to call as each of these fighters are wildly inconsistent. I slightly prefer the Williams side as we’ve seen him look better when he’s at his peak. Khaos Williams by Decision

Main Card- Starts 8:00pm EST

Benardo Sopaj -150 vs Timmy Cuamba +125

• Anthony: The main card begins with this fight at bantamweight between Benardo Sopaj and Timmy Cuamba. On Friday, Cuamba was the last fighter to the scales but he did successfully make weight. It does surprise me that Cuamba is able to make this weight class after debuting in the promotion as a lightweight. I am expecting size to be a huge factor in this bout as he matches up against Sopaj. Cuamba’s length and great boxing give him a clear edge here when this fight is on the feet. Both athletes here have a negative striking differential but Cuamba is a patient striker with great technique and ability to counter very well. Cuamba also utilizes weapons like the flying knee which could land here as Sopaj shoots for the legs. We will see Sopaj scraping together a few takedowns in this matchup in order to limit Cuamba’s offense and forcing him to fight back to the feet. Sopaj could really tire out Cuamba if he can successfully convert a few early takedowns. Cuamba’s jab and the strikes he lands as Sopaj shoots in will be what ultimately decides this matchup. I think Sopaj is the rightful favorite in this spot but Cuamba is an underdog that I can risk betting at the price. I am predicting that he will look a weight class bigger than Sopaj when the cage door locks, leading to dominance throughout striking exchanges. Timmy Cuamba by Decision
• Nick: Benardo Sopaj is only 25-years old and 12-3 professionally. He fights out of a solid camp via Allstars Training Center in Sweden, but he really hasn’t been tested extensively against top level competition. He gave a decent showing of himself in his UFC debut against a tough out in  Vinicius Oliveira on short notice. However, after winning that fight early he started to fade until he was brutally KO’d with a flying knee in the third round. He most recently secured a solid decision win over Ricky Turcois, but he has been out of action since that fight which took place back in January of 2025. Timothy Cuamba is 10-3 professionally and 27-years old. He fights well at range and he has solid durability and cardio. He’s coming off a solid decision win over Chang Ho Lee, but he’s just 2-2 in the UFC and could be described as inconsistent. Cuamba is willing to exchange in a fire fight, which doesn’t always play to his favor. Also, it’s true he pushes a serious pace in his fights but he does seem to slow down in the back half of his third rounds. This is one of the tougher fights on the card to call, but I prefer the Sopaj side as I expect he can mix in the takedowns he needs to win rounds. Benardo Sopaj by Decision

Modestas Bukauskas -330 vs Christian Edwards +250

• Anthony: Next is a fight between Modestas Bukauskas and Christian Edwards. This is a short notice matchup made after Bukauskas was originally scheduled to face Rodolfo Bellato here this weekend. Edwards is stepping in here on very short notice and getting allotted an extra ten pounds to do so. This fighter has formerly competed in Bellator but Edwards has not accrued any real quality wins. Edwards has lost when facing his best competition while none of his victories display much in terms of technical skill. He is an athlete that attempts to strike against opponents using his size to an advantage. Bukauskas is the much better kickboxer. He has great footwork compared to Edwards and he does much better stringing together punches in combination. The speed and size of Bukauskas really negates a lot of Edwards’ best weapons. Bukauskas will switch stances here while Edwards works exclusively as a southpaw. It is tough to rely on Bukauskas as a betting favorite since he does tend to fade as fights go on. He relies on early momentum and confidence to really take over. At 32 years old, he can continue to improve and develop as an athlete but overall it does appear his ceiling is limited. I am confidently picking Bukauskas here on a card that lacks quality betting opportunities. I am expecting him to win via knockout. Modestas Bukauskas by Round Two KO
• Nick: Modestas Bukauskas is 6’3 with a 78-inch reach. He fights even longer than that, as he keeps a wide stance both striking and defending against takedowns. His greatest strength is his powerful striking, but he seems to leave his hands down which leaves him vulnerable against other powerful punchers. His grappling continues to improve, and he is certainly a fighter who has been consistently improving his skills as he is still young for the division at just 32 years old. Christian Edwards will be making his UFC debut here, taking this fight on short notice as a replacement for Rodolfo Bellato. He is 27 years old and 8-4 professionally. He’s taken on a decent level of pre-UFC competition having mostly fought for Bellator, but he’s a kill-or-be-killed style striker who is more than willing to take damage in exchanges to land his own. Bukauskas is somewhat volatile so he’s tough to have full confidence in, but Edwards is overly hittable in exchanges. Taking this fight on short notice, I expect the underdog to struggle in this one. Modestas Bukauskas by Round One KO

Malcolm Wellmaker -280 vs Juan Diaz +220

• Anthony: This should be a good matchup at bantamweight between Juan Diaz and Malcolm Wellmaker. Last fall at UFC 322 we saw Wellmaker upset as a -500 favorite, losing in a short notice fight against the debuting Ethyn Ewing. I am expecting to see Wellmaker bounce back from that one defeat, learning lessons about his defense and not underestimating opponents. This may no longer be a prospect that will fight for a title, but Wellmaker does have serious power at bantamweight and more UFC wins ahead of him. This is a matchup between two alumni of Dana White’s Contender Series. Wellmaker is going to continue to thrive when he is able to keep opponents at kickboxing range. Diaz is a worthy adversary in this matchup and a brawler that should bring out the best of Wellmaker again. He has never been stopped before and boasts a very good chin. Diaz can mix in wrestling here a bit too, training with a great team at Entram Gym. This will likely be another high-output fight that tests both men’s cardio and durability. Wellmaker should do better in this bout setting up that lethal right hook. Diaz being so scrappy and pressuring forward will allow Wellmaker to time that counter. It would not surprise me to see Diaz lead early here on the numbers but I think Wellmaker will eventually score a knockdown and walkoff knockout. Malcolm Wellmaker by Round One KO
• Nick: Malcolm Wellmaker is 31 years-old, and he enters this fight with a 10-1 professional record. He is coming off the first loss of his professional career, which came via decision to a heavy underdog in Ethyn Ewing back at UFC 322. He’s getting a late break into the promotion, but he spent the early part of his career very active on the amateur circuit so he really is more experienced than his record might suggest. He’s relatively well rounded, but his greatest strength is certainly his striking ability at range. He is quick in and out of breaks, and he can land power shots from a variety of unconventional angles. Juan Diaz will be making his UFC debut here with a 15-1-1 professional record at 27 years old.  He’s coming off an impressive KO win over Won II Kwon on Contender Series, and two of his last three wins have come via finish. Diaz is relatively well rounded, but certainly prefers to stand and trade on the feet. He’s a pressure style high volume striker who does a good job stringing together creative combinations. As effective as he is offensively, his aggressive style does open up windows for his opponents to find him with counters or take him down. The line feels wide here as Diaz certainly has the skill to hang on the roster, but I do expect Wellmaker can find a finish at some point. Diaz is willing to strike, and Wellmaker should be able to time the counter he needs to score another flashy knockout. Malcolm Wellmaker by Round Two KO

Daniel Santos -150 vs Doo Ho Choi +125

• Anthony: The co-main event is a featherweight fight between Doo Ho Choi and Daniel Santos. These fighters are most comfortable when striking but also known to shoot for the occasional takedown. It will be interesting to see if either does pursue the grappling here in this showcase bout. Willycat Santos is a bit of a wildcard, always fighting with high aggression and a very reckless approach. He trains with the team of Chute Boxe Diego Lima. Santos is normally most dangerous in round one where he moves forward and throws very hard. His muay thai attacks cause damage when they land but Santos is also very irresponsible in terms of his striking defense. Choi is a technically skilled fighter that can capitalize and counter Santos when he does see wide openings. Santos also hits much harder than Choi and needs to be respected throughout all of those exchanges. He will have the confidence to stop Choi here after beating Joo Sang Yoo in his last fight. This is actually this third straight matchup for Santos facing an athlete from South Korea. I respect Choi as a veteran of this promotion but overall his body of work does not impress me. Choi has won in back to back appearances but when facing lackluster competition. Santos can take this step up tonight and prove that he belongs inside of the rankings. He should win rounds here as the favorite, rocking Choi and landing the much bigger attacks. Daniel Santos by Round Two KO
• Nick: Daniel Santos is extremely aggressive on the feet. He throws a wide range of spinning attacks and he’s not afraid to rush in to pressure his opponents. He is 13-2 professionally, with six wins coming via KO and two via submission. He can be inconsistent at times, but he enters this fight on an impressive three fight win streak. He continues to show considerable improvements in his grappling ability, but it certainly seems he’s most content to stand and trade on the feet.  Do Hoo Choi was once a highly regarded prospect, but his time away in the Korean military slowed down the momentum of his ascension as a fighter. Choi is a powerful and athletic striker, coming off back-to-back KO wins over Nate Landwehr and Bill Algeo. He’s a powerful striker with decent footwork and fundamentals, but he can be hittable in extended exchanges. While he prefers to strike, he does have enough offensive wrestling ability to take fights to the ground if he needs to. This should be a fun and competitive match-up for however long it lasts. I slightly prefer the Choi side as he’s proven his level against a higher level of opponent. Doo Ho Choi by Decision

Arnold Allen -130 vs Melquizael Costa +110

• Anthony: The main event is a fight at featherweight between Arnold Allen and Melquizael Costa. This should be a great battle between athletes in their prime and the best offering of combat sports on television this evening. Allen is pretty desperate for a victory here to stay inside of the division top ten. Costa is building into a legitimate contender as he stacks victories in this division. He has a unique look and growing highlight reel that could end up earning him a title shot soon. Costa won via head kick against Morgan Charriere and then finished Dan Ige with a spinning kick just two months ago. He has been extremely active on this six fight winning streak and I think that he can continue to carry that momentum into this bout. It is another fight where Costa will be able to open up with his kicks against a fighter that is looking to engage him at boxing range. Allen has much better footwork and technical skill here but Costa is dynamic and more capable of finding a finish. Allen has never been knocked down before but he has been hurt numerous times to the head. I would be less surprised to see him finished by a choke here rather than KOd clean facing Costa. Allen has the footwork and defensive skills to stay out of harm’s way. Costa is going to need big moments in order to win and perhaps he is even dependent on the finish. Allen has proven experience fighting for five rounds and Costa does not. The Brazilian could find himself here in the deep waters of rounds four and five against Costa getting picked apart with very little left in the gas tank. Allen is somebody bettors should look to attack in the live markets here after a few rounds. These odds have already closed significantly and I would almost prefer to pick Allen as the plus money underdog. I bet on Costa early this week at +150 odds and feel that he is going to capitalize here in his first main event. Melquizael Costa by Round Three KO
• Nick: Arnold Allen is a talented striker who does an excellent job keeping pressure on his opponents. Most of his fights are won on the feet, but he’s shown a well-rounded overall game. He is 20-4 professionally, coming off a hard fought decision loss to Jean Silva. He’s extremely durable and has excellent cardio, which are strengths he’s likely going to need to lean on in this match-up. Melquizael Costa is an aggressive striker that fights at a very fast pace, but he does leave a lot of openings to be countered. His takedown defense is suspect at best, but he can be dangerous in scrambles and he generally does a decent job working his way back to his feet once he’s grounded. He is 26-7 professionally, coming off six impressive wins and carrying a lot of momentum into this match-up. It seems all facets of his game are improving at a rapid pace, and he’s currently one of the most active fighters on the entire roster. Costa will land more volume and he’s the more potent finisher here. That being said, Allen has been taking on a much higher level of opponent. I expect Costa to look good early, but as this fight wears on I expect Allen can show he’s a level above here. Arnold Allen by Decision

-Nick Marro

Twitter: @NickMarroDFS

-Anthony Marro

Twitter: @AnthonyMarro_

Photo: UFC.com