UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Costa Results – Featherweight Contenders Clash in Las Vegas

The Octagon returned to the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, May 16, 2026, for an action-packed edition of UFC Fight Night. The event was headlined by a high-stakes featherweight showdown between No. 7 ranked contender Arnold Allen and the surging No. 12 ranked Melquizael Costa. With both fighters looking to solidify their positions in the division, the card delivered significant momentum shifts and clinical finishes.

Main Event: Allen vs. Costa – A Pivotal Featherweight Matchup

The headlining bout featured a fascinating contrast in momentum. Arnold Allen, known as “Almighty,” entered the cage looking to reclaim his spot at the top of the featherweight division. Allen has faced recent challenges, securing only one victory in his last four outings, with his last major win coming against Giga Chikadze in July 2024.

Facing him was the Brazilian standout Melquizael Costa. Costa entered the contest on a dominant six-fight winning streak, including four stoppages, making him one of the most dangerous rising forces in the 145-pound division. The matchup served as a critical litmus test for both athletes as they vie for title contention.

Main Card Highlights and Matchups

The main card featured a diverse array of matchups across multiple weight classes, showcasing both established veterans and rising prospects:

• Welterweight Clash: Nikolay Veretennikov (14-7) took on Khaos Williams (15-5) in a highly anticipated welterweight battle.
• Bantamweight Prospect Collision: Timmy Cuamba (10-3) squared off against Benardo Sopaj (12-3), pitting two highly regarded prospects against one another.
• Light Heavyweight Action: Modestas Bukauskas (19-7) looked to return to the win column against UFC newcomer Christian Edwards (8-4).
• Bantamweight Rebound: Knockout artist Malcolm Wellmaker (10-1) aimed to bounce back from his first professional loss against Dana White’s Contender Series graduate, Juan Diaz (15-1-1).
• Co-Main Event: “The Korean Superboy” Dooho Choi (16-4-1) faced Daniel Santos in a featured co-main event bout.

Preliminary Results: Caliari Secures Dominant Submission

The preliminary card provided early excitement, highlighted by a clinical performance in the women’s divisions. Nicolle Caliari delivered a standout performance, securing a victory over Shauna Bannon. Caliari utilized an arm-triangle choke to force the submission at the 3:08 mark of the third round.

Key Takeaways from UFC Fight Night

• Costa’s Momentum: Melquizael Costa continues to build a formidable reputation with his consistent ability to finish fights.
• Allen’s Resurgence: The featherweight landscape remains volatile as top contenders like Arnold Allen fight to regain their previous momentum.
• Rising Talent: The emergence of fighters like Juan Diaz and Christian Edwards highlights the deep talent pool currently entering the UFC ranks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Costa take place?

The event was held at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Who headlined the May 16, 2026, UFC event?

The main event featured a featherweight bout between Arnold Allen and Melquizael Costa.

How did Nicolle Caliari win her fight?

Nicolle Caliari defeated Shauna Bannon via submission (arm-triangle choke) in the third round.