SoccerRecap
Notts County book place at Wembley after holding off Chesterfield
Notts County secures League Two play-off final spot after 0-0 draw with Chesterfield
Sky Sports1 min read
MMAPreview
UFC Fight Night -- Arnold Allen vs. Melquizael Costa: Predictions, fight card, odds and expert picks
TL;DR
Arnold Allen defends his top 10 featherweight ranking against Melquizael Costa at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. Allen aims to rebound from a recent slump, having won only once in his last four fights.
Key points
- Arnold Allen defends his top 10 featherweight ranking
- Melquizael Costa aims to break through as a contender
- UFC Fight Night takes place in Las Vegas
- Allen has one win in his last four fights
- Costa is looking to prove himself against a veteran
Mentioned in this story
Las Vegas
Arnold AllenMelquizael CostaUFC Fight Night
Getty Images
Another UFC veteran defends his spot in the pecking order this Saturday. Arnold Allen looks to protect his top 10 featherweight ranking against Melquizael Costa at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas.
UFC Fight Nights have largely served as proving grounds for rising contenders this year. The next generation has had mixed success. For every Lone'er Kavanagh and Kevin Vallejos that rose to the occasion, there's a Youssef Zalal or Chris Duncan who fell short. This week, Costa looks to break through against a divisional stalwart.
Allen (20-4) was predicted to be a major player in the featherweight division. He was undefeated in his first 10 UFC fights, beating names like Gilbert Melendez and Dan Hooker. Activity and injuries were his biggest obstacles. It seems those layoffs finally caught up to him. He enters Saturday's main event with one win in his last four appearances. His approach to fixing it isn't nuanced. He fights Costa with the stubbornness of someone repairing a TV by banging their fist against it.
Sign up for Paramount+ and watchUFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Costalive for no additional fee -- every UFC numbered event and UFC Fight Night is included with your subscription! Plans start as low as $8.99/month or $89.99/year!
"I'm pissed off. I need to get things right," Allen told CBS Sports. "The decisions are out of my control. I feel like I'm better. I had some ring rust, a lay off and was coming off an injury.
"I don't really think about it because I beat Movsar. The Jean Silva fight, I feel like I won. I'm 1-3, but I feel like it's 3-1. The only one where I feel like I really lost was to Max Holloway."
[UFC Fight Night: How Melquizael Costa turned his childhood shame into his MMA identity
Shakiel Mahjouri
Q&A
What is the fight card for UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Costa?
The fight card includes Arnold Allen vs. Melquizael Costa as the main event, along with several other matchups featuring rising contenders.
What are the odds for Arnold Allen vs. Melquizael Costa?
The odds for the fight will vary, but they typically reflect Allen's experience and ranking against Costa's potential as a challenger.
Why is Arnold Allen's fight against Melquizael Costa important?
This fight is crucial for Allen to maintain his top 10 ranking in the featherweight division and for Costa to establish himself as a serious contender.
What has been Arnold Allen's recent performance in the UFC?
Arnold Allen has struggled recently, winning only once in his last four fights after a strong start to his UFC career.
