Melquizael Costa
Brazil
Routed in first UFC main event
Costa lost to Arnold Allen via unanimous decision (45-50, 45-50, 46-49) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Fresh off becoming the first man to ever stop Dan Ige, Costa, who entered on a six-fight winning streak, got his first UFC main event here against Allen and it didn't go great. In fact, outside of a handful of moments in the first couple rounds, Costa wasn't he least bit competitive. He did reasonably well on the feet, but he also allowed Allen to land all seven of his takedown attempts, good for 9:28 worth of control time. In other words, Costa never had a chance of winning a decision. Now, Allen is a very good opponent, but there's still a half dozen or so featherweights ranked above him. If Costa is being routed on the scorecards against Arnold, it doesn't bode well for his chance of cracking that upper tier at 145 pounds at any point in the future.
Fresh off becoming the first man to ever stop Dan Ige, Costa, who entered on a six-fight winning streak, got his first UFC main event here against Allen and it didn't go great. In fact, outside of a handful of moments in the first couple rounds, Costa wasn't he least bit competitive. He did reasonably well on the feet, but he also allowed Allen to land all seven of his takedown attempts, good for 9:28 worth of control time. In other words, Costa never had a chance of winning a decision. Now, Allen is a very good opponent, but there's still a half dozen or so featherweights ranked above him. If Costa is being routed on the scorecards against Arnold, it doesn't bode well for his chance of cracking that upper tier at 145 pounds at any point in the future.
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Next fight on tap
Costa will fight Arnold Allen at UFC Fight Night 276 on May 16 in Las Vegas, Nolan King of MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Costa has the wind at his back as he prepares for Allen, having won his last six fights and finishing his last two opponents with brutal head kicks. "Almighty" was a mainstay at the top of the division before tearing his labrum in 2024, so a convincing win here could sweep Costa right into title contention.
Costa has the wind at his back as he prepares for Allen, having won his last six fights and finishing his last two opponents with brutal head kicks. "Almighty" was a mainstay at the top of the division before tearing his labrum in 2024, so a convincing win here could sweep Costa right into title contention.
First man to stop Dan Ige
Costa defeated Dan Ige via TKO (strikes) at 4:56 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Houston.
ANALYSIS
When we last saw Costa in December, he was destroying Morgan Charriere with a head kick which was a late Knockout of the Year contender. Apparently once wasn't enough, so he went back to the well here, becoming the first man to ever finish Ige following a spinning kick to the face and some follow-up blows. Even more remarkable is the fact this could have happened a handful of minutes earlier because Costa crushed Ige with a front kick to the face which the latter somehow ate without issue in the early going. In any case, Costa will walk away with a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts here. A winner of six straight, including four via stoppage, dating back to June 2024, Costa is closing in on title-implicating fights in a loaded featherweight division.
When we last saw Costa in December, he was destroying Morgan Charriere with a head kick which was a late Knockout of the Year contender. Apparently once wasn't enough, so he went back to the well here, becoming the first man to ever finish Ige following a spinning kick to the face and some follow-up blows. Even more remarkable is the fact this could have happened a handful of minutes earlier because Costa crushed Ige with a front kick to the face which the latter somehow ate without issue in the early going. In any case, Costa will walk away with a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts here. A winner of six straight, including four via stoppage, dating back to June 2024, Costa is closing in on title-implicating fights in a loaded featherweight division.
Ige up next
Costa will fight Dan Ige at UFC Houston on Feb. 21, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Currently riding a five-fight winning streak that dates back to June 2024, Costa will have a chance to extend his run to six victories in a bout against an opponent who has dropped three of his last four.
Currently riding a five-fight winning streak that dates back to June 2024, Costa will have a chance to extend his run to six victories in a bout against an opponent who has dropped three of his last four.
Late Knockout of Year contender
Costa defeated Morgan Charriere via KO (head kick) at 1:14 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
With just four fights remaining in the calendar year 2025, Costa has submitted his entry for Knockout of the Year. Without a KO victory in his UFC career and without a knockout win of any kind dating back to November 2022, Costa destroyed Charriere with a head kick which finished his opponent on the spot. He very easily could have fired off a massive follow-up shot since referee Eric McMahon was out of position calling for the stoppage, but Costa showed remarkable restraint. The 30-year-old Brazilian improves to 4-0 in 2025 and is now riding a five-fight winning streak dating back to June 2024.
With just four fights remaining in the calendar year 2025, Costa has submitted his entry for Knockout of the Year. Without a KO victory in his UFC career and without a knockout win of any kind dating back to November 2022, Costa destroyed Charriere with a head kick which finished his opponent on the spot. He very easily could have fired off a massive follow-up shot since referee Eric McMahon was out of position calling for the stoppage, but Costa showed remarkable restraint. The 30-year-old Brazilian improves to 4-0 in 2025 and is now riding a five-fight winning streak dating back to June 2024.
Scheduled against Charriere
Costa is scheduled to compete against Morgan Charriere in a featherweight fight at UFC Vegas 112 on Dec. 13, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
UFC Vegas 112 will be Costa's fourth chance to go 4-0. He began the year blazing through Andre Fili (submission via guillotine choke), Christian Rodriguez (unanimous decision) and Julian Erosa (unanimous decision) in an 85-day span. Thereafter, Costa took much time to heal and regroup, which may serve him well as he prepares for Charriere.
UFC Vegas 112 will be Costa's fourth chance to go 4-0. He began the year blazing through Andre Fili (submission via guillotine choke), Christian Rodriguez (unanimous decision) and Julian Erosa (unanimous decision) in an 85-day span. Thereafter, Costa took much time to heal and regroup, which may serve him well as he prepares for Charriere.