UFC Vegas 117: 2 newcomers step in last minute to save bouts on Allen vs. Costa fight card

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 07: A general view of the Octagon during the UFC Fight Night event at Meta APEX on February 07, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) UFC Vegas 117 has undergone some changes. Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed a pair of shakeups for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night card at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas.

With Rodolfo Bellato out, Bellator veteran Christian Edwards steps in to face Modestas Bukauskas at the event in a 215-pound catchweight contest. Additionally, with Trey Ogden suffering an injury, Tommy Gantt remains on the card against another promotional newcomer in Artur Miniev. Heavy first reported the changes in both bouts.

The card moves forward with 13 bouts, headlined by a pivotal featherweight matchup between Arnold Allen and Melquizael Costa. Edwards brings an 8-4 pro record into his octagon debut. After winning his first four pro bouts under the Bellator banner, Edwards would drop three straight.

Since then, “Pain” is 3-1, including a victory over UFC veteran Jake Collier. He faces Bukauskas, who looks to get back in the win column after having his four-fight win streak snapped via finish to Nikita Krylov at UFC 324 in January. Miniev gets his chance on the big show with a 7-0 record, finishing six of his opponents along the way.