UFC Vegas 117 Staff Picks: Featherweight Contenders Clash In Thrilling Main Event
Check out which main card fighters MMASucka staff are picking to win at UFC Vegas 117
The Meta Apex at UFC Vegas 117 becomes the battleground for two of the best featherweight combatants in the world, as the seasoned Arnold Allen comes to blows with the heavy-handed Melquizael Costa. The 145-lbers also occupy the co-main event slot, with UFC Hall of Famer Choi Doo-ho taking on the streaking Daniel Santos.
UFC Vegas 117 Main Event
Earning the distinction as one of the top strikers in the division, Allen has accomplished much in the fabled Octagon, including taking Max Holloway the full 25-minute distance. Making his return to Las Vegas after almost four years, “Almighty” is set to defend his position in the featherweight top ten against another ascending Brazilian contender.
After moving up to featherweight in 2023, Costa has enjoyed a wealth of success inside the cage, currently holding a seven-bout winning streak. Proving he is among the hardest-hitting fighters on the whole UFC roster with highlight-reel knockouts of Morgan Charrière and Dan Ige, “The Dalmatian” has demonstrated the ability to crack even the most durable of chins.
UFC Vegas 117 Co-Main Event
After being away from action for three years, Choi has set his sights on becoming an elite in the 145-lb class. Since returning to competition in 2023, “The Korean Superboy” has logged two fantastic knockout wins in a row, setting the Hall of Famer up for a monumental co-main event showcase.
Coming up short in his UFC debut back in 2022, Santos has recorded four wins in a row. Winning two contests back-to-back after jumping up to featherweight last year, “Willycat” is quickly becoming a prospect to watch out for in the weight category.
More Bouts On the UFC Vegas 117 Main Card
Rounding out the main card, Malcolm Wellmaker battles Juan Díaz. Then, Modestas Bukauskas tangles with the debuting Christian Edwards. Also, Timothy Cuamba locks horns with Bernardo Sopaj. Finally, Nikolay Veretennikov and Khaos Williams kick off the main card festivities.
UFC Vegas 117 Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
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UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
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PFL picks from main cards for both pay-per-views and regular events.
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ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
Staff picks in 2025 were won by Hank Strandberg with a record of 216-119.
Find our UFC Vegas 117 picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after ONE: The Inner Cirle (May 15)
1. Hank Strandberg: 69-35
2. Frazer Krohn: 63-46
3. Drew Zuhosky: 53-54
4. Andrew Benjamin: 15-11
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Khaos Williams -112 vs. Nikolay Veretennikov +108- WELTERWEIGHT
| Staff Member | Pick |
| Hank Strandberg | Williams by Unanimous Decision |
| Drew Zuhosky | Williams by Unanimous Decision |
| Frazer Krohn | Williams by Unanimous Decision |
| Andrew Benjamin | Williams by Unanimous Decision |
| Staff Picking Williams: 4 | Staff Picking Veretennikov: 0 |
Bernardo Sopaj -130 vs. Timothy Cuamba +110- BANTAMWEIGHT
| Staff Member | Pick |
| Hank Strandberg | Sopaj by Unanimous Decision |
| Drew Zuhosky | Cuamba by Unanimous Decision |
| Frazer Krohn | Cuamba by Unanimous Decision |
| Andrew Benjamin | Cuamba by Unanimous Decision |
| Staff Picking Sopaj: 1 | Staff Picking Cuamba: 3 |
Modestas Bukauskas -310 vs. Christian Edwards +260- LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
| Staff Member | Pick |
| Hank Strandberg | Bukauskas by First-Round Knockout |
| Drew Zuhosky | Edwards by First-Round Knockout |
| Frazer Krohn | Bukauskas by Second-Round Knockout |
| Andrew Benjamin | Edwards by Unanimous Decision |
| Staff Picking Bukauskas: 2 | Staff Picking Edwards: 2 |
Malcolm Wellmaker -250 vs. Juan Diaz +210- BANTAMWEIGHT
| Staff Member | Pick |
| Hank Strandberg | Wellmaker by Unanimous Decision |
| Drew Zuhosky | Wellmaker by First-Round Submission |
| Frazer Krohn | Wellmaker by Second-Round Knockout |
| Andrew Benjamin | Diaz by Unanimous Decision |
| Staff Picking Wellmaker: 3 | Staff Picking Diaz: 1 |
Daniel Santos -170 vs. Doo Ho Choi +145- FEATHERWEIGHT
| Staff Member | Pick |
| Hank Strandberg | Santos by Unanimous Decision |
| Drew Zuhosky | Choi by Unanimous Decision |
| Frazer Krohn | Choi by Unanimous Decision |
| Andrew Benjamin | Santos by Unanimous Decision |
| Staff Picking Choi: 2 | Staff Picking Santos: 2 |
Arnold Allen -122 vs. Melquizael Costa +102 FEATHERWEIGHT
| Staff Member | Pick |
| Hank Strandberg | Allen by Unanimous Decision |
| Drew Zuhosky | Costa by Unanimous Decision |
| Frazer Krohn | Costa by Unanimous Decision |
| Andrew Benjamin | Allen by Unanimous Decision |
| Staff Picking Allen: 2 | Staff Picking Costa: 2 |
