Arnold Allen will look to regain some momentum on May 16. |
Getty/UFC
Though the
UFC will be holding a card on the same day as
Most Valuable Promotions’ MMA debut on Neftlix, it wouldn’t be
accurate to call it counterprogramming by the Las Vegas-based
organization.
That’s the perspective of Arnold
Allen, who will headline
UFC Fight Night 276 against Melquizael
Costa in a featherweight bout at the UFC Apex on May 16 in Las
Vegas.
“The fact it’s me and Melky headlining against them, I don’t think
the UFC is really trying to compete,” Allen said on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “Not to put me and
Melky down, but let’s be real. Star power, like, they ain’t trying
to compete.”
The
MVP card is headlined by a women’s featherweight clash between
Ronda
Rousey and Gina Carano, a matchup Rousey is touting as the
biggest female fight ever. The event also includes Francis
Ngannou’s return, as he takes on Philipe
Lins in the heavyweight co-main event, while fan favorites
Nate
Diaz and Mike Perry
will lock horns in another featured contest.
The Height of MMA
Allen vs. Costa, meanwhile, is an intriguing featherweight pairing,
but it isn’t likely to attract the casual fan. Allen won his first
10 Octagon appearances but is looking to regain momentum after
losing three of his last four bouts against top-tier competition
such as Movsar
Evloev, Max
Holloway and Jean Silva.
Costa, with a six-fight winning streak, enters the bout in the role
of up-and-comer. A victory over Silva would likely propel the
Brazilian into serious contention at 145 pounds.
“I know what fight I’d rather watch,” Allen said. “..I don’t go to
talk s–t, but let’s be real. This is two guys in our primes. The
height of MMA.
“It’s at the META Apex. That that kind of blows, but like the fight
itself is sick.”