Arnold Allen takes on Melquizael Costa in the main event of UFC Fight Night on May 16 at Meta APEX in Las Vegas. This featherweight clash pits the ranked British striker Allen against the surging Brazilian Costa, both seeking momentum in a competitive division. A victory could propel the winner toward top-10 contention amid recent shakeups. The card underscores UFC's packed schedule post-UFC 328. Fans anticipate a stand-up war given both fighters' styles.
According to reports that have yet to be officially confirmed, Arnold "Almighty" Allen is set to face Melquizael "Melk Cauthy" Costa in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card scheduled for May 16 at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
Allen, the 32-year-old English featherweight out of Tristar Gym, enters the bout ranked fifth in the division and carrying a professional record of 21-4-0. The southpaw stands five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach and lands 3.52 significant strikes per minute at 43 percent accuracy, complementing his striking with 1.24 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Costa, the 29-year-old Brazilian competing out of Chute Boxe Joao Emilio, brings a 26-8-0 record into the fight. The southpaw stands two inches taller than Allen at five-foot-ten, with a 71-inch reach, and produces a notably high volume of 4.29 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy. He also averages 1.53 takedowns and 0.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes, suggesting a more multidimensional offensive game.
Why it matters
- Allen's No. 5 featherweight ranking means a loss could push him further from title contention, while a win keeps him firmly in the picture
- Costa holds no current divisional ranking per the AgentMMA database, making this a potential breakout opportunity for the Brazilian
- Both fighters are southpaws who generate high striking output, setting up a potentially action-heavy main event
- The result will carry added weight given recent shakeups in a featherweight division that remains wide open below the championship level
