While much of the combat sports spotlight Saturday night focused on the MVP MMA Netflix card headlined by Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, the UFC quietly delivered a full night of action at UFC Vegas 117 inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The event streamed on Paramount+ and featured a featherweight main event between Arnold Allen and Melquizael Costa.
By the end of the night, the card produced multiple stoppages, submission finishes, and one of Allen’s strongest performances in recent years.
Arnold Allen controls Melquizael Costa in main event
Allen defeated Costa by unanimous decision in the five-round headliner with scorecards of 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46.
The British featherweight controlled much of the fight with his jab, pressure, takedowns, and top control. Allen scored a knockdown early in the fight and repeatedly neutralized Costa’s dangerous kicking game and scrambling ability.
Costa found success with calf kicks and combinations during parts of the fourth and fifth rounds, but Allen stayed composed and continued mixing in takedowns and ground control to secure the decision.
The victory helped Allen rebound after recent losses against elite featherweight competition.
Doo Ho Choi stops Daniel Santos in action fight
Doo Ho Choi earned a second-round TKO victory over Daniel Santos after surviving a fast-paced opening round.
Santos pressured aggressively early with combinations, wheel kicks, and body attacks, but Choi gradually took over with cleaner boxing, body work, and takedown defense. As Santos slowed down in Round 2, Choi began landing repeated jabs and combinations before finishing the fight with heavy body shots late in the round.
Juan Diaz submits Malcolm Wellmaker
Juan Diaz defeated Malcolm Wellmaker by rear-naked choke in Round 2 after weathering an active first round from Wellmaker.
Wellmaker opened with flashy kicks and movement, but Diaz pressured forward throughout the fight and eventually hurt Wellmaker late in Round 1. In the second round, Diaz mixed in takedowns, clinch control, and back takes before locking in the submission near the end of the round.
Khaos Williams scores another knockout
Khaos Williams delivered another violent finish, stopping Nikolay Veretennikov by first-round TKO.
Williams landed heavy shots throughout the round before finally wobbling Veretennikov with a right hand and swarming him against the cage until the referee stepped in.
Bernardo Sopaj and Cody Brundage earn finishes
Bernardo Sopaj defeated Timmy Cuamba via rear-naked choke in Round 2 after dropping Cuamba with punches and following up with ground attacks.
Meanwhile, Cody Brundage earned a comeback TKO victory over Andre Petroski in Round 2 after landing a powerful left hook and finishing with ground-and-pound.
Other notable UFC Vegas 117 results
Additional winners from the card included:
- Ketlen Vieira def. Jacqueline Cavalcanti via unanimous decision
- Tommy Gantt def. Artur Minev via TKO
- Alice Ardelean def. Polyana Viana via verbal submission
- Luis Gurule def. Daniel Barez via unanimous decision
- Nicolle Caliari def. Shauna Bannon via arm-triangle submission
Despite competing against a heavily promoted Netflix MMA card on the same night, UFC Vegas 117 still delivered a busy night of finishes and strong performances across multiple divisions.
