The UFC featherweight division is currently the most competitive in combat sports, boasting world-class talent from top to bottom. On Saturday night, Arnold Allen, ranked seventh, demonstrated the significant difference between simply being ranked and truly competing at the highest level in the 145-pound division.
Allen has previously faced top contenders like Movsar Evloev, giving him one of his toughest fights. He has also gone toe-to-toe with Jean Silva and challenged former champion Max Holloway to a thrilling, close bout. These past performances solidify Allen as a proven elite fighter, and no opponent finds an easy victory against him.
This past weekend, Allen reaffirmed his elite status by defeating a resurgent Melquizael Costa in the main event of UFC Vegas 117. While Costa fought admirably and didn’t disgrace himself, Allen proved superior in all aspects, securing a victory that went the distance.
Allen’s seventh-place ranking in such a stacked division highlights the depth of the featherweight class in 2026. He is undoubtedly a significant player in this “shark tank,” even if he’s not the most vocal. A future matchup against Diego Lopes would be a guaranteed exciting fight. However, considering Lopes’ upcoming fight and current rankings, potential opponents for Allen include Aljamain Sterling or Yair Rodriguez.
Sterling, having recently defeated Brian Ortega and Youssef Zalal, likely deserves a higher-ranked opponent, making him a less probable candidate. However, a bout between Allen and Rodriguez would be an electrifying main event, potentially held in Mexico or the UK.
MVP looked like a Strikeforce reboot, and I’m fine with that
Netflix’s inaugural major MMA event, held at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, brought a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of the early 2000s Strikeforce promotion, particularly with its hexagonal cage and overall production. This event indeed felt like a modern Strikeforce revival, which is a positive development.
The commentary, featuring Mauro Ranallo and Kenny Florian, was well-executed. The Netflix presentation was generally good, though improvements in event pacing, specifically reducing the need for on-screen countdowns, would be beneficial.
The future plans for MVP’s MMA ventures are highly anticipated. Amidst a busy combat sports schedule, this event was a welcome addition. While not a direct competitor to the UFC, MVP has a clear opportunity to enhance the MMA landscape, and increased opportunities for fighters to compete, showcase their skills, and earn a living are always a positive step.
