UFC

Arnold Allen tops Melquizael Costa in main event at UFC Fight Night

By LockerRoom Team June 5, 2026

Arnold Allen returned to the win column with a unanimous-decision victory over Melquizael Costa in the main event of UFC Fight Night on May 17 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

The featherweight contenders delivered a fast-paced five-round battle that featured striking exchanges, grappling scrambles and momentum swings throughout. Allen scored an early knockdown before taking the fight to the canvas, while Costa responded with strong grappling sequences and effective kicking attacks. As the fight progressed, Allen's experience and control proved decisive, allowing him to dictate much of the action during the championship rounds.

All three judges scored the contest in Allen's favor, awarding him the victory by scores of 50-45, 50-45 and 49-46.

In the co-main event, UFC Hall of Famer Doo Ho Choi earned a second-round stoppage victory over Daniel Santos in an all-action featherweight contest.

Santos mixed striking with takedown attempts and body attacks early, but Choi found his rhythm in the second round. The South Korean veteran repeatedly landed his jab before dropping Santos with a liver shot and following up for the finish at 4:29 of Round 2.

The bout earned Fight of the Night honors.

Performance of the Night bonuses went to Juan Diaz and Alice Ardelean. Additional finish bonuses were awarded to Benardo Sopaj, Khaos Williams, Tommy Gantt, Cody Brundage and Nicolle Caliari.

UFC Fight Night Results

Main Event

  • Arnold Allen def. Melquizael Costa via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)

Co-Main Event

  • Doo Ho Choi def. Daniel Santos via TKO (strikes) at 4:29 of Round 2

Main Card

  • Juan Diaz def. Malcolm Wellmaker via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:08 of Round 2
  • Modestas Bukauskas def. Christian Edwards via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Benardo Sopaj def. Timmy Cuamba via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:25 of Round 2
  • Khaos Williams def. Nikolay Veretennikov via TKO (strikes) at 3:31 of Round 1

Preliminary Card

  • Ivan Erslan def. Tuco Tokkos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Tommy Gantt def. Artur Minev via TKO (strikes) at 2:51 of Round 2
  • Ketlen Vieira def. Jacqueline Cavalcanti via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Cody Brundage def. Andre Petroski via TKO (strikes) at 0:44 of Round 2
  • Alice Ardelean def. Polyana Viana via verbal submission (capsule lock) at 4:36 of Round 2
  • Luis Gurule def. Daniel Barez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Nicolle Caliari def. Shauna Bannon via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:08 of Round 3

Bonus Winners

Fight of the Night

  • Doo Ho Choi vs. Daniel Santos

Performance of the Night

  • Juan Diaz
  • Alice Ardelean

Finish Bonuses

  • Benardo Sopaj
  • Khaos Williams
  • Tommy Gantt
  • Cody Brundage
  • Nicolle Caliari