Career Averages - Melquizael Costa
Career Averages - Austin Lingo
Melquizael Costa
Austin Lingo
Melquizael Costa - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 1 | 98 of 152 | 64% | 156 of 222 | 7 of 7 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 9:28 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 100 of 254 | 39% | 118 of 280 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:45 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 1 | 9 of 9 | 100% | 18 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:44 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 10 of 14 | 71% | 19 of 25 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:45 | |
| 2 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 23 of 38 | 60% | 28 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 26 of 78 | 33% | 28 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 32 of 52 | 61% | 44 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:22 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 30 of 71 | 42% | 30 of 72 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 23 of 36 | 63% | 26 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:43 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 23 of 63 | 36% | 24 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 11 of 17 | 64% | 40 of 51 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:03 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 17 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 98 of 152 | 64% | 81 of 134 | 6 of 7 | 11 of 11 | 79 of 131 | 0 of 2 | 19 of 19 |
| Melquizael Costa | 100 of 254 | 39% | 47 of 173 | 20 of 42 | 33 of 39 | 97 of 249 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 9 of 9 | 100% | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 |
| Melquizael Costa | 10 of 14 | 71% | 5 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | |
| 2 | Arnold Allen | 23 of 38 | 60% | 16 of 31 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 23 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 26 of 78 | 33% | 8 of 49 | 5 of 14 | 13 of 15 | 26 of 78 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Arnold Allen | 32 of 52 | 61% | 27 of 47 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 25 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 7 |
| Melquizael Costa | 30 of 71 | 42% | 14 of 49 | 7 of 13 | 9 of 9 | 30 of 71 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Arnold Allen | 23 of 36 | 63% | 20 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 23 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 23 of 63 | 36% | 10 of 41 | 4 of 11 | 9 of 11 | 23 of 63 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Arnold Allen | 11 of 17 | 64% | 10 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 7 of 7 |
| Melquizael Costa | 11 of 28 | 39% | 10 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 11 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
Angelo picks Arnold Allen, believing he is cleaner, faster, and more experienced. He is not worried about Costa's grappling and thinks Allen will control the striking. He notes Costa has random power but sees no reason Allen is chinny. He expects Allen to be a step ahead.
Big Brady picks Arnold Allen despite not being a fan, citing the five-round distance as key. He expects Costa to fade in later rounds, as seen in his previous fights. He predicts a decision win for Allen, noting that if it were three rounds, he might pick Costa.
Cody leans toward Arnold Allen due to his experience in five-round fights and higher level of competition, despite a 1-3 record in his last four. He notes Allen's ability to win rounds against elite fighters like Max Holloway and Movsar Evloev, and expects his cardio to be an advantage as the fight progresses. However, he is hesitant to bet the current -155 line and prefers to play Allen in the live market if he loses early rounds. He acknowledges Melquizael Costa's recent knockout power and higher volume, but worries about Costa's cardio in a five-round fight.
Costa is more technical and dynamic on the feet, but may fade in later rounds. Allen is tough, durable, and has good cardio. If Costa's gas tank holds, he wins; if not, Allen takes over. Lean Allen but not betting.
Lucrative James picks Arnold Allen to win, citing Allen's superior five-round experience, size, and ability to close distance against kickers like Costa. He believes Costa's recent knockout streak is not repeatable and that Allen's losses to elite fighters (Max Holloway, Movsar Evloev, Jean Silva) were competitive. He also notes Allen's grappling advantage and the small cage benefiting Allen's pressure style.
The host picks Arnold Allen but is hesitant due to the chalky odds. He expects Allen to land more significant damage, but acknowledges Costa's volume and aggression could cause issues. He believes Allen's veteran savvy and five-round experience will lead to a decision win.
The host leans with the veteran Allen due to his experience and ability to potentially exploit Costa's aggressive style, especially in a five-round fight. However, he is not confident enough to bet Allen at -180, as he has never been high on Allen. He predicts Allen wins by decision and might consider the over.
Paul is not passionate about the main event but leans toward Melquizael Costa if forced to make a play. He notes that Costa has been on a good run and that Arnold Allen has never been knocked down in the UFC, but Costa seems to be putting it together. He is not confident enough to bet pre-fight and will focus on live markets instead.
The host leans towards Max Holloway because the fight is five rounds, which favors Holloway's cardio and experience. He notes that Arnold Allen tends to break his hand and slow down in later rounds, as seen in the Sadiq Yusuf fight. He believes Allen will win the first two rounds but fade, allowing Holloway to potentially finish in rounds 4 or 5. He also mentions Holloway's durability and volume punching.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Ige | 0 | 7 of 11 | 63% | 12 of 16 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:31 |
| Melquizael Costa | 1 | 19 of 40 | 47% | 26 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dan Ige | 0 | 7 of 11 | 63% | 12 of 16 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:31 |
| Melquizael Costa | 1 | 19 of 40 | 47% | 26 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Ige | 7 of 11 | 63% | 2 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 19 of 40 | 47% | 9 of 26 | 7 of 9 | 3 of 5 | 13 of 29 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dan Ige | 7 of 11 | 63% | 2 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 19 of 40 | 47% | 9 of 26 | 7 of 9 | 3 of 5 | 13 of 29 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 6 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Jacob Montalvo is the referee. Ige takes the center, kicks the leg and then lands a takedown. Costa is right back up as Ige presses him into the cage. Ige with a shoulder strike from the clinch. Costa is able to toss Ige to the canvas and then lands a knee to the body as his foe stands. They’re battling it out in the clinch, and Costa drives a couple knees to the midsection. Costa with another knee and then he shoves Ige away. Costa goes high with a kick, but Ige has his guard up .Another high kick from Costa is blocked. Costa follows yet another head kick with a front kick down the middle. Another front kick has hurt Ige, but he keeps his wits to survive a follow-up barrage from his foe. Costa steps in with an elbow, then lands a knee as he slides out of range. Ige forces the clinch, but Costa knees and separates. Costa follows a side kick to the body with a left hand. A leg kick lands on Ige. Costa backs up to the fence but leaps in with a knee.
With time winding down, Costa drops Ige with a beautiful spinning back kick to the jaw. Ige covers up on the canvas, and Costa unloads with about seven to eight standing-to-ground punches before Montalvo steps in to wave off the fight.
Costa has his sixth straight UFC win and in the process becomes the first person to finish Ige in 30 professional fights.
The Official Result
Melquizael Costa def. Dan Ige via TKO (Spinning Back Kick and Punches) R1 4:56
Angelo picks Melquizael Costa, citing his speed, busy style, and well-rounded skills. He respects Dan Ige's toughness and experience but believes Costa is the rising star. He also suggests a plus 3.5 bet on Ige as a potential prop, noting Ige often wins rounds even in losses.
Big Brady picks Melquizael Costa to defeat Dan Ige, citing Costa's hot streak and superior minute-winning. He notes Costa has more tools on the feet, including kicks, and that Ige is hittable and tends to lose decisions. He is concerned about Ige's last performance against Pitbull, where he did nothing. He predicts Costa will win by decision, picking him apart with volume. He mentions the line moved from -120 to -185, indicating public money on Costa.
Cody likes Ige at plus money, citing his recent performances against top competition (Diego Lopez, Lerone Murphy, Patricio Pitbull) where he won rounds. He thinks Costa's wrestling isn't proven and that Ige's cardio and power in later rounds give him an edge. He expects a decision win for Ige.
Connor picks Ige but with caution, noting that Costa is an opportunistic fighter who has been winning but often in messy ways. He points out that Costa tends to fade in the third round and that Ige is durable and a good counter puncher. He also notes that Ige has been impossible to finish and that Costa's lack of process could be exploited by Ige's experience.
The host favors Costa stylistically due to his size, length, and technical striking, but considers the odds too steep to bet. He notes both fighters are weak on the ground, and Ige has one-shot knockout power, making Costa a risky bet at -224. He passes on betting either side.
James picks Dan Ige as the betting side, believing Ige has better pocket boxing and power, and that Costa's cardio and durability are questionable. He notes that Ige has faced much tougher competition and that Costa's recent wins are over lesser opponents. James expects Ige to get a knockout, possibly in the later rounds as Costa fades.
Costa is on a five-fight winning streak with good activity and a kicking game that should trouble Ige. Ige is a veteran boxer but has struggled against high-volume strikers. Costa's range and kicks should keep Ige at bay, and he should land the more significant strikes. Ige could have success if he crashes the pocket, but Costa should win a decision.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Ige's ability to win rounds against elite fighters. He points out that Costa has slowed down in later rounds and that Ige's takedown defense has improved. He thinks the fight goes to decision and Ige's experience gives him the edge.
The MMA Guru picks Dan Ige by TKO, feeling that Ige's composure and power will catch Costa. He notes that Costa sometimes throws lazy kicks and can be caught on the back foot. He believes Ige is the highest-level opponent Costa has faced and can time him for a KO.
Zane also picks Ige with the same caution, agreeing that Costa's success is partly smoke and mirrors. He notes that Costa is not a process-driven fighter and that opponents who are resilient tend to do better against him as the fight goes on. He believes Ige's counter-punching and durability will be key, but acknowledges Costa could win if he lands a big shot early.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melquizael Costa | 1 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Morgan Charrière | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melquizael Costa | 1 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Morgan Charrière | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melquizael Costa | 4 of 9 | 44% | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Morgan Charrière | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melquizael Costa | 4 of 9 | 44% | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Morgan Charrière | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Costa (-110); Charriere (-110)
Round 1
Finally settling on a suitable—and spectacular—nickname, Costa (24-7, 5-2 UFC) now goes by “The Dalmatian” rather than some version of his name or a riff on some inside joke no one gets. He faces an equally dramatic traveler, Charriere (21-11-1, 3-2 UFC), who used to go by the nickname of “Luffy” in honor of the main character from anime series “One Piece.” There will be no Gum Gum attacks in the cage as long as referee Eric McMahon is in charge. The featherweights race towards one another, not bothering to touch gloves as Costa moves right to the center of the cage.
Costa pitches out a low kick and then one to the liver, the latter landing loudly. Charriere kicks him back, resulting in a back-and-forth kick-off. Costa aims a push kick to the knee of his foe, and he splits the guard with a jab.
Out of nowhere, “The Dalmatian” drops down and hurls a missile of a high kick, who falls to the floor off-balance. Before he hits the deck, his foot wraps just around the guard enough to completely separate Charriere from his senses. Even with Charriere blocking it, the sheer impact was enough to completely neutralize him.
Charriere collapses to his back, limbs seemingly stricken by rigor mortis, his eyes wide open but no one is home. Costa scoots back up to his feet and is about to drop down a punctuating blow, but he peels off seeing that his work here is done. After a very brief celebratory hoot, Costa drops to his knees in the center of the cage respectfully as he waits for Charriere to recover. Thankfully, Charriere sits up and is able to return to his feet before long, but he needs to be assisted out of the cage with someone having their arm around him. It is an emotional moment for the pink and blue-haired featherweight who may have just earned the biggest win of his career in ultra-violent fashion.
The Official Result
Melquizael Costa def. Morgan Charriere R1 1:14 via KO (Head Kick)
Cody picks Costa, citing his well-rounded game, durability, and ability to mix striking with takedowns. He notes Charrière's low volume and tendency to wait, while Costa is more active and willing to push the pace. He expects Costa to win a decision.
Lucrative James leans toward Morgan Charrière, citing his ability to dictate where the fight takes place and his power advantage. However, he admits it's a 50/50 fight and not confident, noting Charrière's inconsistent fight IQ and Costa's kicking and grappling skills. He projects even odds at -110 each.
Paul also picks Costa, emphasizing his blend of skills and recent submission streak. He thinks Charrière is skilled but often does not do enough, while Costa's forward pressure and grappling will secure the win. He suggests Costa by decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julian Erosa | 0 | 69 of 173 | 39% | 85 of 202 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 0 | 0 | 3:34 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 102 of 204 | 50% | 128 of 236 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 0:23 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Julian Erosa | 0 | 10 of 26 | 38% | 10 of 27 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 32 of 75 | 42% | 32 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 | |
| 2 | Julian Erosa | 0 | 23 of 54 | 42% | 30 of 62 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:56 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 33 of 55 | 60% | 47 of 70 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 3 | Julian Erosa | 0 | 36 of 93 | 38% | 45 of 113 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:02 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 37 of 74 | 50% | 49 of 91 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julian Erosa | 69 of 173 | 39% | 42 of 140 | 18 of 24 | 9 of 9 | 55 of 150 | 13 of 21 | 1 of 2 |
| Melquizael Costa | 102 of 204 | 50% | 67 of 160 | 16 of 22 | 19 of 22 | 99 of 196 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Julian Erosa | 10 of 26 | 38% | 5 of 19 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Melquizael Costa | 32 of 75 | 42% | 14 of 52 | 7 of 10 | 11 of 13 | 32 of 73 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Julian Erosa | 23 of 54 | 42% | 11 of 40 | 8 of 10 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 43 | 8 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 33 of 55 | 60% | 25 of 46 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 31 of 53 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Julian Erosa | 36 of 93 | 38% | 26 of 81 | 9 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 31 of 83 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 37 of 74 | 50% | 28 of 62 | 6 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 36 of 70 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Costa (-192), Erosa (+160)
Round 1
Although much can be said about the state of UFC matchmaking as of late, the promotion knew exactly what it was doing when it matched Erosa (31-11, 9-7 UFC) against Costa (23-7, 4-2 UFC). It chose violence. The featherweights will go for broke under the watchful eye of referee Herb Dean, and they get right to it after embracing the formality of bumping fists. Costa prods with the ball of his foot, looking for low kicks as Erosa walks him down. Costa keeps working on the front leg as Erosa gives him one back, and Erosa grabs his foe’s foot and lifts it up. Costa bounces off the fence to get his limb back, and he whiffs on two hooks. Costa scores a body kick as he stays on the outside, and after pitching a leg kick, he trips on the edge of the cage but does not fall over. Erosa lets him get up and continues to trade kicks with him, and Costa mixes things up with a surprise Superman punch. Costa follows it with a booming head kick that rocks “Juicy J,” who backs off to the fence but is still dangerous as a coiled snake. Costa walks forward to throw bombs, and Erosa snipes him with a mean right hand that makes him think twice. Erosa gets his legs back beneath him and blocks a head kick, walking Costa down but taking three punches on the chin to do so. Erosa fakes a spin and lunges forward with an elbow, slipping and falling over. Costa lets him up so he can leap at him with a knee, and he chains punches into a body kick as Erosa is now the one retreating. Costa parries a few punches and lets fly a left hand, and his second effort reaches his man. Costa wraps a head kick around the guard and Erosa shrugs it off, nailing Costa with a right hand over the top. Erosa jumps at his foe to attack, and Costa times a spinning back kick that pounds into the cup. Erosa grumbles and adjusts his groin supporter before waving Dean off. Costa lets his foe’s fists and feet whiz past him so he can deliver a hard body kick, and Erosa fakes his way in to take the fight down. Erosa whips Costa all the way around to take him down, and he slashes down with an elbow as soon as he gets to side control. Costa is warned for having his toes in the cage, and Erosa drops down a few punches and leans back to watch an upkick buzz past him at the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Round 2
Costa’s left foot is leaking blood as the second round begins, but he shrugs it off and touches gloves with his opponent. Erosa gets right into attack mode, firing off a head kick and a right hand but getting countered with a left and a body kick. Costa belts “Juicy J” with a left hand, and Erosa bites down on his mouthpiece to unload a power punch. Costa shakes Erosa up with a one-two, and Erosa again has to recover before coming forward. The punches of Costa make Erosa pursue a takedown, and Costa defends with a guillotine choke and stands back up to re-secure it. Erosa holds on and leverages Costa back down, but he in submission danger again. Costa lets go before burning his arms out, and he stands up. Erosa leans on from behind, his left eye swelling up fast. Costa defends a takedown effort and keeps his balance, stomping Erosa’s foot and receiving an elbow in the face for his effort. As Erosa is leaning heavily on his man, Costa sweeps his leg and puts him down for a second. Erosa climbs back up and walks through a one-two. Costa reaches the Washington native at the end of a left hand, and Erosa fires back with a vengeance. They reach one another with long punches, and instead of clinching, Erosa pushes off and shrugs at him. Costa lines up a solid crescent kick that hits the target, and Erosa goes for broke with punches and kicks to any target he can find. Erosa pokes Costa in the eye, and Costa tells them he is fine and keeps going. Erosa thanks him by drilling a spinning back kick in his ribs, and Costa laughs it off and throws hammers. Erosa staggers Costa with a pair of hooks, and a grinning Costa swings back with bad intentions and rocks Erosa. Erosa spins through to hit Costa in the face with his foot, and he knocks Costa across the cage with a left hand right before the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erosa
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Round 3
While Erosa does touch gloves, he is a man on a mission. Walking Costa down immediately, he swings his way into a clinch. Erosa leans on the Brazilian to slow him down, getting off the occasional knee until Costa trips him and sets him down. Erosa responds by nailing Costa with an upkick and working his way to his feet, where he backs “Melk” off and dislodges his mouthpiece with a right hand. He follows with another right hand to lead into a clinch, and Costa backs off with a left hook. The two clash heads after Erosa lands an uppercut, and “Juicy J” pours it on while swinging wildly. Costa’s head movement keeps him relatively safe, and he blasts Erosa in the jaw with four punches in a combination. Erosa’s movement leads him to banging into the fence, but he is quick to shake it off and uppercut Costa in the chops. Erosa continues staying in Costa’s face, with punches that lead to an elbow as Costa is backing off but smiling. Erosa lines up punches in bunches, and his elbows are not accurate. They proceed to brawl it out with little regard to defense or cardio, and even though Costa is fatigued, he is still loading up with everything he has. Thankfully for those watching this carnage, Erosa is doing just the same, as they proceed to hammer one another in the jaw again and again. Costa trips Erosa up to get a second to breathe, and he backs off to avoid an upkick and let Erosa stand. Erosa marches ever forward, swinging recklessly while Costa is giving it back when he can. Costa takes several punches square on the jaw and offers up a knee, and Erosa spins with a back fist. A second and third back fist from Erosa do manage to rail into the Brazilian, who is as tough as nails and never falters. The action-packed “Fight of the Night” candidate goes the distance, and both exhausted men raise their arms. The second round may be where the victor emerges.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erosa (29-28 Erosa)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Costa (29-28 Costa)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Costa (29-28 Costa)
The Official Result
Melquizael Costa def. Julian Erosa via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Melquizael Costa with high confidence, stating that Costa should be better everywhere. He notes Costa's creative striking, solid grappling, and incredible scrambles. His only concern is Costa's activity level, as this will be his fifth fight in 12 months, which could lead to nagging injuries or fatigue. However, Angelo is not overly concerned and expects Costa to win.
Big Brady picks Julian Erosa as a dog, acknowledging Costa could knock him out early. He notes Costa's quick turnaround and tendency to slow down, while Erosa has great cardio and a nasty choke game. He predicts Erosa wins by second-round submission if it gets extended.
The host notes Costa's aggressiveness and unorthodox striking can catch Erosa off guard, especially since six of Erosa's seven losses have come by knockout. He feels Costa can take advantage of Erosa's mistakes and get a finish. He also likes the under 2.5 rounds.
The Guru picks Melquizael Costa, calling him a fellow 'fraud checker' who can handle Julian Erosa's gritty style. He notes Costa's grappling looked improved against Christian Rodriguez and his kicks are very good. He worries about Erosa's upset potential but believes Costa is better and more active. He predicts a TKO or decision win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 64 of 98 | 65% | 77 of 113 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 1 | 1 | 6:48 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 65 of 105 | 61% | 159 of 208 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 3 | 4:53 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 11 of 14 | 78% | 12 of 15 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 | 0 | 2:07 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 22 of 32 | 68% | 63 of 73 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:12 | |
| 2 | Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 19 of 27 | 70% | 24 of 33 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 1:42 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 26 of 40 | 65% | 71 of 93 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 1 | 2:24 | |
| 3 | Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 34 of 57 | 59% | 41 of 65 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:59 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 17 of 33 | 51% | 25 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:17 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Rodriguez | 64 of 98 | 65% | 36 of 69 | 23 of 24 | 5 of 5 | 29 of 53 | 26 of 31 | 9 of 14 |
| Melquizael Costa | 65 of 105 | 61% | 39 of 72 | 19 of 25 | 7 of 8 | 19 of 47 | 17 of 23 | 29 of 35 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Rodriguez | 11 of 14 | 78% | 3 of 5 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 9 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 22 of 32 | 68% | 5 of 11 | 15 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 9 | 8 of 12 | 10 of 11 | |
| 2 | Christian Rodriguez | 19 of 27 | 70% | 8 of 16 | 9 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 18 | 9 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 26 of 40 | 65% | 21 of 32 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 11 | 7 of 8 | 16 of 21 | |
| 3 | Christian Rodriguez | 34 of 57 | 59% | 25 of 48 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 32 | 8 of 11 | 9 of 14 |
| Melquizael Costa | 17 of 33 | 51% | 13 of 29 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 27 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Rodriguez (-148), Costa (+124)
Round 1
If the UFC isn’t careful, a fight might break out in the cage with this next one. Having bounced back from his first career stoppage loss well enough, Rodriguez (12-2, 5-2 UFC) is looking to put himself on another win streak. To get that going, he will have to get past the recently renamed “Melk Cauthy” Costa (22-7, 3-2 UFC), a name more in line with Costa’s preference for the knockout—or, nocaute. Fists are bumped before they are traded, as the featherweights are joined in the Octagon by referee Fernando Salas Navarro. Costa pump-fakes several times to get started, setting up a high kick with it that does not get through. His low kicks do trip up Rodriguez, who hits his knees and bounces back up to tie Costa up against the wall. Rodriguez peppers the ribs with knees on either sides, and Costa responds with short punches to the side of the dome when not fighting to keep his balance. A body lock and trip from Rodriguez allows him to get Costa down for a split-second, only to have to settle for pushing Costa against the wire again. They jockey for position against the wire, and Rodriguez sells out to drag Costa down to the floor as they hit the ground together. They spring right back upright while still in the tie-up, with Costa stomping the toes and kneeing the body. Costa softens the side up with several punches, and Rodriguez finally hits the sweep he was looking for and puts Costa down. Costa gets back up as fast as he can, and he keeps his hand on the ground to defend himself from knees to the head. Rodriguez suddenly snatches up a brabo choke and twirls Costa around, and the Brazilian does not panic in the slightest and not only escapes it, but flips Rodriguez over to establish top position. Costa attacks the body with elbows, and when Rodriguez explodes back upright, Costa chases him with a single strike before the horn sounds to end the close round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Round 2
Rodriguez is the initial aggressor in the round, taking it to Costa with punches and kicks. Costa pushes off with the ball of his foot, sending Rodriguez down to the mat for a second. Rodriguez jumps back up, elbows Costa in the noggin and initiates the clinch. Costa breaks free and plants a body kick on the side of his foe, and a second comes up short. Rodriguez jabs his way into a right hand, and Costa counters him with a clean right that drops Rodriguez to his knees. Rodriguez regains his footing and clinches heavily, and he fights off a sweep attempt and turns to avoid a slashing elbow when back tied up. They continue to deliver short strikes to one another, and Rodriguez lands his foot sweep and places Costa on his back. Costa returns upright after a second, where he re-engages in a clinch. Rodriguez ducks down for a level change, and Costa knees Rodriguez in the side of the head and hurts him badly. Rodriguez scrambles to try to keep himself in the fight and not taking much more damage, and he lets Costa’s punches rebound off his guard. Costa wraps up an unusual arm-in guillotine choke from the side, partially a bulldog choke, and Rodriguez stays composed and twists out of it. Costa throws Rodriguez to his back, blood streaming down the left eye of “CeeRod,” and he postures up to jack Rodriguez up with elbows and punches. Rodriguez attempts a guillotine off his back to stop Costa from hitting him, but Costa breaks out of it and drops down more strikes including an axe kick to the chest before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Round 3
Rodriguez races out of his corner to engage, where he kicks his way into close range and sets up a trip. “CeeRod” hits the sweep—the same one he has been attempting the whole fight—and Costa finds himself on his back playing jiu-jitsu. The Brazilian looks for a kimura in hopes of sweeping, and although he takes a clean elbow on the melon, he turns the tables on Rodriguez and takes his back standing. They continue to roll and twist, and Rodriguez keeps Costa tied up and bullies him to the fencing. Rodriguez uses his elbows to fluster Costa from up close when not looking for another sweep, and he takes Costa off his feet for a moment. Costa climbs back up, elbows his foe in the chin and frames off to take a breath. Rodriguez is quick to impose his weight on him, and he trips Costa up again for good measure. Costa stands and avoids an elbow that soars at him, and he gets pulled back to the floor. Rodriguez tries to take his back, and he slides off. “CeeRod” races back to his feet and rails Costa with a right hand, stunning him for a moment and giving him openings to find more punches and a step-in knee. Costa pushes off with a front kick, and Rodriguez shrugs at him. Costa knees him again, but not before getting clipped with a barrage of punches. Costa whiffs on a two-punch flurry and hits his back from an easy foot sweep from Rodriguez. Rodriguez sits up in the guard and drops down hammers, with Costa faded just enough to not offer resistance to force a standup. Rodriguez rains down a bombardment of hammerfists, including one raised from the ceiling all the way to the floor, and the crowd is loving it. Rodriguez keeps hammering away, and Costa survives to make it the distance.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez (29-28 Rodriguez)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez (29-28 Costa)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez (29-28 Rodriguez)
The Official Result
Melquizael Costa def. Christian Rodriguez via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Connor picks Rodriguez, noting his excellent wrestling and grappling defense against powerful wrestlers. He thinks Costa's structureless, erratic style will play into Rodriguez's hands, allowing him to show offensive wrestling. However, he cautions that Rodriguez can be too defensive on the feet, as seen against Julian Erosa.
Zane picks Rodriguez, emphasizing that he is a much better fighter than Costa. He notes that Rodriguez has feasted on raw fighters who expect to blow him out, and Costa's experience and guillotine threat are concerns but not enough to change the pick. Zane thinks Rodriguez deserves to be a bigger favorite.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 0 | 7 of 24 | 29% | 7 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 27 of 56 | 48% | 27 of 56 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 0 | 7 of 24 | 29% | 7 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 27 of 56 | 48% | 27 of 56 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 7 of 24 | 29% | 4 of 20 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 27 of 56 | 48% | 3 of 25 | 10 of 13 | 14 of 18 | 26 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 7 of 24 | 29% | 4 of 20 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 27 of 56 | 48% | 3 of 25 | 10 of 13 | 14 of 18 | 26 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
A veritable chasm of UFC-level experience separates the next two featherweights, with grizzled Team Alpha Male product Fili (24-11, 1 NC; 12-10, 1 NC UFC) looking to hold the line and remind folks he is still very much a factor. Like Fili, Costa’s (21-7, 2-2 UFC) tenure thus far has been somewhat inconsistent but fairly violent. Referee Jeff Hoiby draws the charge between the two, and the local man Fili has no time for a glove touch as he wants to get going immediately. Fili chases his foe around the cage, looking for his jab. Costa backs him off briefly with a pair of high kicks, and he doubles up on leg kicks as well. Fili walks through everything pitched at him to sling leather, including a right left hand that zips through his guard. “Let’s go Fili” chants boom through the building, and they both fire off head kicks. Fili’s gets his foe’s attention, with Costa smiling at him. They decide to throw caution to the wind for a moment and brawl with no interest in defense, and they tag one another cleanly but do not budge. Costa backs off and fires off a wheel kick, and he settles himself to chop at the Washington-based fighter’s knee with oblique kicks. Costa rips a kick to the ribs as Fili is marching ever forward, and he narrowly evades getting his chin checked with a low kick but still walks into a left hook. Fili blocks a high kick but cannot stop a body kick, and he plods forward, energized by “USA” chants. Fili whiffs on a head kick, unable to lock his foe down, and he brushes his shoulder when Costa misses as well. Fili blocks a kick and hurls one right back, and Costa breathes a sight of relief and strikes back with a high kick. Fili motions that he protected himself from it, and Costa stays on his bike prodding with oblique kicks. Fili connects with a heavy body kick, dodges one that comes back and makes a matador motion. Fili takes a kick and shoots in for a takedown, and when he hits it,
Costa wraps up a guillotine choke and wrenches with all his might. The Brazilian clings to the choke, which is not going anywhere as he has it tight as a drum with his right leg wrapped around Fili’s waist. Fili is fine until suddenly he is not, and he frantically taps out.
The stunned audience is silenced in a second, as the hometown fighter surrenders from the submission and walks off disappointed that he got caught. Meanwhile, Costa has just earned the biggest win of his career, and he goes off to celebrate with teammate Joanderson Brito who previously put Fili away in the first round.
The Official Result
Melquizael Costa def. Andre Fili R1 4:30 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)
Big Brady picks the underdog Melquizael Costa, noting that Andre Fili's durability is declining after many wars, and he was dropped and knocked out recently. He thinks Costa is younger, has more tools on the feet with hard kicks to head, legs, and body, and has solid grappling with seven takedowns in his last three fights. He expects a close fight going to decision, with Costa winning a close decision.
The host acknowledges the fight is close as odds indicate, but believes Fili's strength of schedule, experience, and unorthodox striking will shut down Costa's grappling. He expects Fili to win on the scorecards, possibly by split decision.
The Guru hesitantly picks Fili, noting he never likes picking him but sees Costa as getting 'fraud checked'. He values Fili's win over Cub Swanson and thinks Costa's loss to Thiago Moisés is a bad look. He expects Fili to mix in grappling in the second and third rounds and win a close decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 16 of 35 | 45% | 76 of 106 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 | 1 | 3:00 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 0 | 6 of 8 | 75% | 20 of 28 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 1 | 2 | 6:26 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melquizael Costa | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 31 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:28 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 9 of 12 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 | 0 | 3:52 | |
| 2 | Melquizael Costa | 0 | 6 of 16 | 37% | 31 of 46 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:41 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 7 of 11 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 2 | 2:34 | |
| 3 | Melquizael Costa | 0 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 14 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:51 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 4 of 5 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melquizael Costa | 16 of 35 | 45% | 8 of 20 | 5 of 10 | 3 of 5 | 8 of 22 | 5 of 7 | 3 of 6 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 6 of 8 | 75% | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melquizael Costa | 4 of 7 | 57% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Melquizael Costa | 6 of 16 | 37% | 4 of 9 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 8 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 1 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Melquizael Costa | 6 of 12 | 50% | 3 of 7 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Costa (-170), Shayilan (+142)
Round 1
The prelims continue with a featherweight contest featuring two men with plenty of experience despite their young ages. At 27, Costa (20-7, 1-2 UFC) is attempting to even his UFC record to .500, while the 30-year-old Shayilan (39-11, 3-2 UFC) aims to make his 51st pro outing a successful one. The third man in the Octagon will be referee Mike Beltran, and the fight kicks off with no plan of a glove touch. Costa jabs his way forward and tosses out a low kick, and Shayilan hops out of the way. Costa kicks low a second time, and Shayilan counters him with a long right hand. Costa lazily reaches out with a right hand, and Shayilan ducks it and hits an easy double-leg takedown to put the vibrantly haired featherweight on his back. Costa turns to his side and looks for a kimura sweep, and he cranks on the submission from his back. “Wolverine” is calm, cool and collected, and he shrugs off the two-on-one wrist lock to keep his arm in good position. Before he burns his arms out, Costa lets go, and he explodes back to his knees and to his feet. Shayilan hits a quick mat return and loops as hook in to take Costa’s back standing. Costa leans himself against the cage wall, so Shayilan snags the body lock and hurls Costa to the floor. Costa climbs back up, and Shayilan uses sheer muscle to toss Costa down once more. Costa turns quickly to swirl around and take the Chinese fighter’s back, and Shayilan counters with a kneebar out of nowhere. Costa defends the leglock by pulling on Shayilan’s knee to try to free his limb, and he stands up and punches down to force the submission apart. Shayilan sits up and attacks a double, and he presses Costa against the cage when he cannot ground him. Using a trip, Shayilan chucks Costa to the mat, and Costa rolls through and even threatens briefly with his own leglock before Shayilan turns through it. Shayilan climbs on top, and Costa responds with short elbows. As Costa is warned for striking the back of the head, the round comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shayilan
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Shayilan
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Shayilan
Round 2
Costa moves right to the center of the cage to start the round, and he walks down Shayilan and pushes out a front kick that is just short of the intended target. Shayilan pursues a level change while Costa kicks at him, and he succeeds in dumping the Brazilian to the floor. Shayilan steps into the guard and thumps his man with an elbow, and Costa replies with a few off his back before rolling to try to get hold of an armlock using his legs. Costa bursts out of the position flat on his back to turn to the side, and he grabs hold of an ankle and trips Shayilan up to put him on his seat. Costa drags Shayilan away from the cage, and Shayilan times this explosion to flip around and get on Costa’s back. Costa stands up and turns to shed the Chinese fighter from his back, and they settle for a clinch. Shayilan shoots deep for a single, and Costa turns the corner to stuff it and somehow get hold of Shayilan. Costa ends up dragging Shayilan down from behind, and he wriggle his left arm around the chin for a moment. Shayilan defends the submission and turns all the way through to reestablish top position. Costa considers a triangle choke setup, but Shayilan tosses it aside. Costa uses this moment to power back to his feet, and Shayilan remains stuck on him like fly paper. Costa works the body with a few knees, and he is forced to stop a sudden level change. Shayilan fails on a second takedown try, and he takes a high kick upside the head that draws an immediate lump by the side of his eye. The round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shayilan
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Round 3
The last round kicks off with Costa throwing single kicks one after the other. Shayilan parries them and circles away from the power, and he ducks a head kick that zips past him. Costa scores a body kick and eats a two-punch combo for his effort, and attacks the body a second time. Shayilan drops all the way down to the ankle to try to trip Costa up, but Costa turns him over and bowls the Chinese fighter to the floor. Shayilan explodes back to his knees, and Costa hangs on from behind before dragging Shayilan down and getting both hooks in.
“Melk” uses a fierce rear-naked choke grip, squeezing it on top of the chin, but it is extremely tight and quite dangerous. Shayilan’s eyes go wide, as he is surprised at just how powerful the face crank is from the Brazilian. Using palm-to-palm grip, he crushes the submission with every remaining bit of his energy.
Rather than grit it out, Shayilan decides to tap with his fist a few times. This is a huge win for Costa, who now celebrates a perfectly even distribution of victory: seven knockouts, seven submissions and seven decisions. This also marks the seventh time that Shayilan has been submitted.
The Official Result
Melquizael Costa def. Nuerdanbieke Shayilan R3 1:50 via Submission (Face Crank)
Angelo picks Mel Costa but at very low confidence, noting that Costa is the better fighter but makes poor decisions by wrestling when he should strike. He worries Costa can be pushed around and taken down by Shayilan's bully style. He emphasizes that Costa's wrestling should be plan B, not plan A, and that if he engages in clinch work, Shayilan will drag him to the ground.
Cody picks Melquizael Costa, noting his striking volume and movement, but is concerned about his last performance where he gassed out against Steve Garcia. He thinks Costa can outwork Nuerdanbieke if he fights smart and doesn't overuse wrestling. Cody expects Costa to win a decision but is not highly confident.
Daniel Vreeland is not high on Melquizael Costa, calling him overrated and lacking killer instinct. He favors Shayilan Nuerdanbieke's power and wrestling, though he notes gassing issues. He believes Nuerdanbieke can hurt Costa or at least win the first round, and calls it a dog-or-pass situation.
Jacob picks Shayilan, expecting a wrestling vs. jiu-jitsu battle where Shayilan's powerful control wrestling will be key. He thinks Shayilan can get takedowns and keep control for at least two rounds to win a decision. He notes that if Costa is ever in a scramble when Shayilan is tired, Costa is more dangerous, but overall favors Shayilan's wrestling.
Costa's movement and Jiu-Jitsu should keep him out of trouble from Nuerdanbieke. As long as Costa stays conscious early, his Jiu-Jitsu will outlast Nuerdanbieke, who will slow down, allowing Costa to take control and potentially find a submission.
Paul picks Melquizael Costa, citing his superior striking and range management. He notes that Nuerdanbieke has power but low volume and may rely on wrestling. Paul thinks Costa can win with volume if he keeps the fight standing, but is not confident due to Costa's gas tank issues.
The MMA Guru picks Melquizael Costa because he believes Costa is better on the feet, with nasty front kicks, head kicks, and question mark kicks. He thinks Shayilan's ground game is not dominant enough to expose Costa's weaknesses, and that Shayilan's style of trading hooks and shooting double legs won't work. He notes both have lost to Steve Garcia.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 1 | 29 of 49 | 59% | 41 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:46 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 20 of 25 | 2 of 10 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 4:41 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Garcia | 0 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 12 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 19 of 22 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 0 | 0 | 4:41 | |
| 2 | Steve Garcia | 1 | 25 of 38 | 65% | 29 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:46 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 29 of 49 | 59% | 26 of 45 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 10 | 3 of 8 | 22 of 31 |
| Melquizael Costa | 6 of 10 | 60% | 1 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Garcia | 4 of 11 | 36% | 3 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 5 of 7 | 71% | 0 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Steve Garcia | 25 of 38 | 65% | 23 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 4 | 22 of 31 |
| Melquizael Costa | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Costa (-275), Garcia (+225)
Round 1
The predominant method of victory for these two fighters—now competing at lightweight due to the short-notice nature of their rescheduled pairing—is the knockout. Referee Chris Tognoni should don his hard hat before going out against these two sluggers. “Mean Machine” Garcia (14-5, 3-2 UFC) has performed his last six victories via strikes, while LFA vet Costa (20-6, 1-1 UFC) has earned two of his last three wins by knockout. Before the fists fly, they meet together in a sporting manner. Garcia springs forward, but he pulls back before engaging. On his second advance, Garcia throws caution to the wind, winging big punches. Costa shimmies to the side and allows Garcia to push past him, and he hooks his leg around Garcia’s and tries to drag him down to the floor. Costa elects to lift Garcia up and slam him to the mat, but “Mean Machine” moves back up to his feet quickly. Costa clings to Garcia from behind relentlessly, and Garcia tries to defend with no-look elbows. Costa knees Garcia in the backside and upper thigh as he pressures his man, and Garcia responds with elbows on the thigh. Costa whips Garcia to a knee, and Garcia considers grabbing the fence but at the last second just points at it. Costa forces his man down to a knee again, but Garcia springs up with no ill effects. Costa continues to embrace the grind from behind, shutting down any offense from Garcia and forcing him to spend energy in strange exchanges. When Costa looks to get a hook in, Garcia shucks it off. Costa peppers with knees until scooping Garcia up and dumping him down once more. Garcia powers back upright, and he wiggles and wriggles but cannot escape. Costa trips Garcia out but is unable to keep him grounded for more than a second, and he stays in this position until the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Round 2
Garcia comes out of his corner angrily, and he swings violently and connects with a few of his shots. Costa responds as the two engage in a mad brawl, with punches and elbows flailing in all directions. Garcia wings a left and a right, catching Costa and knocking him down to the canvas. “Mean Machine” follows him to the mat and drives down a vicious elbow, splitting Costa wide open, and Costa is in a bad way. Garcia smashes his man with fists and sharp elbows, and blood sprays around the canvas. Costa turns over and gives up his back, and Garcia snatches up a rear-naked choke. Perhaps due to the blood flow, Costa is able to slide out of the choke and turns to his back.
Garcia postures up, in full mount, and he demolishes “Melky” with three ruthless elbows. Tognoni halts the fight, with Costa out or very nearly out.
When Garcia dismounts his defeated adversary, Costa tries to take Tognoni down, and he is deep in on a single. Tognoni displays excellent takedown defense as officials flood the cage, with one very loud shouting at Costa to wake him back up. Costa realizes that he is trying to take down a referee and that the fight is over, and he surrenders.
The Official Result
Steve Garcia def. Melquizael Costa R2 1:01 via KO (Elbows)
Cody picks Melquizael Costa. He notes that Costa is a volume puncher and Garcia is a knockout-or-bust fighter. Cody points out that Garcia has poor defense and gets rocked in his wins and losses. He thinks Costa's volume and durability will be key. Cody is suspicious that the line hasn't moved despite Garcia pulling out last week due to illness and moving up a weight class. He still favors Costa.
Paul picks Melquizael Costa. He notes that he liked Costa last week and nothing has changed. Paul points out that Garcia has a history of missing weight and was sick last week, but now fights at lightweight without cutting weight. He thinks Garcia's power is a threat but Costa's volume and durability should win out. Paul is not taking Garcia just because of the circumstances.
Austin Lingo - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 39 of 139 | 28% | 39 of 140 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Austin Lingo | 0 | 100 of 220 | 45% | 108 of 236 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 1 | 0 | 2:44 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melquizael Costa | 0 | 14 of 56 | 25% | 14 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Austin Lingo | 0 | 43 of 94 | 45% | 45 of 96 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Melquizael Costa | 0 | 17 of 56 | 30% | 17 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Austin Lingo | 0 | 37 of 83 | 44% | 38 of 84 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Melquizael Costa | 0 | 8 of 27 | 29% | 8 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Austin Lingo | 0 | 20 of 43 | 46% | 25 of 56 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 1 | 0 | 2:44 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melquizael Costa | 39 of 139 | 28% | 24 of 114 | 11 of 17 | 4 of 8 | 39 of 139 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Lingo | 100 of 220 | 45% | 39 of 133 | 48 of 73 | 13 of 14 | 93 of 209 | 6 of 9 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melquizael Costa | 14 of 56 | 25% | 9 of 44 | 4 of 9 | 1 of 3 | 14 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Lingo | 43 of 94 | 45% | 18 of 53 | 20 of 35 | 5 of 6 | 42 of 92 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Melquizael Costa | 17 of 56 | 30% | 9 of 46 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 17 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Lingo | 37 of 83 | 44% | 13 of 52 | 18 of 25 | 6 of 6 | 36 of 81 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Melquizael Costa | 8 of 27 | 29% | 6 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 8 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Lingo | 20 of 43 | 46% | 8 of 28 | 10 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 36 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Costa (-210), Lingo (+180)
Round 1
LFA veterans will come to blows in a featherweight affair that could be fast and furious for as long as it lasts. Fortis MMA’s Lingo (9-2, 2-2 UFC) and Brazilian Costa (19-6, 0-1 UFC) are equal opportunity finishers, so anything may be in play coming next. Referee Keith Peterson is ready for wherever the fight may take them unless it involves nonsense, and he sits back as they come together without bothering to touch gloves. Lingo is the initial aggressor, making the blue-haired Costa backpedal quickly. Costa looks for a step-in knee, and when Lingo swings at him, Costa’s head comes up and bumps Lingo in the chin. Lingo shakes it off and blocks a front kick, and he races forward throwing left hooks. Costa retaliates with a left hand and a leg kick, and the latter is checked. Costa springs in with a right hand, and Lingo sends him back into the cage wall with a left hand. Costa scores a low kick and a body kick, and Lingo drops his guard when the latter slams home. Costa sneaks in a left, and Lingo grits his teeth and tags Cost with two punches. Costa works the body with another kick, and he spins with a back kick that is just out of range. Lingo rushes forward and loads up with a left to the body, and he proceeds to muscle Costa to the floor. Costa jumps back up and eats a jab, and he unloads with a head kick. Costa pierces the guard with a jab to bloody up the nose, and he slams his shin on the midsection. Costa sticks Lingo with a left hand, and his body kick doubles Lingo over. Lingo bounces off the wall, and Costa knows he has his man hurt. Costa loads up on two more body kicks, and Lingo is wearing it. Costa kicks high when Lingo has his guard down, and Lingo is tough and wears the strikes well enough to keep going. Lingo slings a big right hand, only to walk into a knee to the midsection. Costa works him over with another kick to the ribs, and he is feeling himself as he spins with a back kick. Lingo’s body language is not great as the kicks continue to break his body down, but he still throws hands. Costa jabs his toes in the sternum, smacks “Lights Out” with a high kick and then spins with a wheel kick that slaps off the raised guard. Lingo jabs his way in and still absorbs a body kick, and he takes a flush head kick right on the beard. Lingo crowds his man with a combination, and he is pushed away and kicked. Costa spins with one last kick to the body, and his wheel kick misses at the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Round 2
The featherweights are ready and rearing to go, rushing out of their corners to get the hostilities started again. Lingo swats away a leg kick, and when he comes forward with a left hand, Costa is there with a left hook and a shin to the chin. Lingo blocks a kick and evades a spinning one, and he pressures Costa and gets off a jab. Costa jabs him back, and the two trade leg kicks. Lingo reaches out with an overhand right that brushes off the nose, and Costa unloads with a leg kick that forces Lingo to turn around awkwardly. Costa reaches out with a right hand, and he uses it to disallow Lingo from reaching him. Costa doubles up on body kicks, and Lingo shakes his head at him. Lingo turns his hips into a high leg kick, and he jabs only to eat a left hook. Lingo doubles up a jab only to eat a kick to the breadbasket, and Costa is able to tee off on him at range. Costa goes high with a shin, and he stabs his toes to the liver. Costa kicks the liver and absorbs a flush jab, and a straight left hand that follows drops Costa to his knees. Lingo lets him back up and strikes him in the face a few times, but Costa gathers his thoughts, shakes his head and kicks Lingo in the ribs. Costa’s nose bleeds, and he sways back from an overhand right and brushes his shoulder. The two crash together in the pocket and throw bombs, and Costa slips back and pushes out a straight left. Costa kicks the lead leg, the side, and lines a straight left hand down Broadway. Lingo is shaken up but still very much in the fight, as he throws a hammer back. Costa drives another kick home to the body, and Lingo belts him in the chin with a left hook. Lingo digs a right to the body, and he is answered by a kick to the side. Costa slides a kick upside the head, and Lingo completely no-sells it so that he can blitz forward with his own short barrage of punches. Costa jumps with a knee, and Lingo watches it land as he sits down on a right hand. They both smack each other with hooks, and Costa spins with a kick to the body as the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Round 3
The two have reached the last round, and Lingo pushes the pace immediately. Walking straight into and through a few body kicks, Lingo nevertheless comes forward and lines up his left hand. Costa counters with a takedown, and Lingo shoves him away and tags him with a right hand. Costa slides to the side and kicks the ribs, and he trips Lingo to the floor when they tie up. Lingo fights his way up and thwarts a second toss so that he can give chase and chamber his right hook. Costa backpedals and kicks the side, and he doubles up on it as Lingo bends over to try to block the worst of it. Lingo jabs the body and keeps his guard up high to defend against a spin kick to his face. Costa parries a Lingo swarm and kicks Lingo in the face, and Lingo’s toughness is off the charts as he does not seem fazed from the head or body work. Lingo overswings with a right hand, and Costa tackles him to the ground from behind. Lingo sits up, and Costa threatens by looping his arms under the armpits of his opponent. Lingo stops a rear-naked choke and subsequent kimura try to work back to his feet, and Costa drags him right back down from behind. “Melk” snatches up a rear-naked choke from behind while he hops on the back, and Lingo leans over and tries to shimmy Costa off of him. Costa is too heavy to do this, and he pressures Lingo to his knees. Costa leans back and snags hold of the rear-naked choke he was seeking, but Lingo instantly falls to his back and lowers his chin to defend from it. Lingo gets out of the choke and turns to his back, and he pushes off Costa’s chest. Costa bullies him down as Lingo turns to his knees, but Lingo is still able to stand. Costa tries to trip him down, and Lingo looks at the clock which says 40 seconds remaining. The Brazilian slings Lingo to his seat, and Lingo jumps back up. Costa drops down for a guillotine choke, and Lingo rolls to his side to defend it properly. Lingo gives the thumbs-up with the choke not securely fastened, and the fight ends in this position.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Costa (30-27 Costa)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Costa (30-27 Costa)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Costa (30-27 Costa)
The Official Result
Melquizael Costa def. Austin Lingo via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Melquizael Costa, believing a full camp Costa is better than a full camp Lingo. He notes Costa is a creative striker who uses his grappling well, while Lingo is a tough, well-rounded striker. However, he is not confident enough to bet on Costa, calling it a perfect fight to see how good a prospect Costa is. He advises against throwing money on this fight.
Big Brady picks Melquizael Costa, citing his superior striking volume, kicks, and offensive grappling. He notes Costa is hittable but tough, while Lingo has power but hasn't translated it at UFC level. He thinks Costa has more ways to win, though the fight may be closer than the line suggests. He calls -205 'kind of stupid' but expects Costa to get the job done.
Cody picks Costa, citing his faster, crisper striking and Lingo's basic, robotic style. He notes Lingo's inactivity and injuries, and that Costa's takedown defense won't be tested since Lingo doesn't wrestle. He thinks Costa's combination punching and power will be too much, and that Lingo's one-two pattern will get figured out.
The host thinks Costa's footwork, speed, and kicking game will keep him safe at distance, allowing him to touch up Lingo en route to a decision. He compares it to Lingo's fight with Luis Saldana, but believes Costa has the cardio to go the full 15 minutes unlike Saldana.
Paul picks Costa, citing his more well-rounded skill set on the feet. He thinks Costa will win with volume and precise striking over 15 minutes. He doesn't love the moneyline but sees it as a necessary play on a greasy card. He also mentions a PrizePicks prop for under 1.5 takedowns for Costa, as he doesn't expect wrestling to be part of the game plan.
The MMA Guru picks Melquizael Costa over Austin Lingo, dismissing Lingo's talent and noting his weak UFC wins over lower-level opponents. He highlights Costa's dangerous striking, good regional performances, and a Contender Series KO, while noting Lingo's quick turnaround after a KO loss to Nate Landwehr. He predicts Costa wins by KO in the later rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nate Landwehr | 0 | 64 of 153 | 41% | 68 of 160 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Austin Lingo | 0 | 48 of 146 | 32% | 50 of 148 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nate Landwehr | 0 | 34 of 78 | 43% | 34 of 78 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Austin Lingo | 0 | 30 of 91 | 32% | 31 of 92 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Nate Landwehr | 0 | 30 of 75 | 40% | 34 of 82 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Austin Lingo | 0 | 18 of 55 | 32% | 19 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nate Landwehr | 64 of 153 | 41% | 36 of 104 | 9 of 25 | 19 of 24 | 61 of 148 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 4 |
| Austin Lingo | 48 of 146 | 32% | 28 of 116 | 17 of 26 | 3 of 4 | 48 of 146 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nate Landwehr | 34 of 78 | 43% | 20 of 52 | 2 of 9 | 12 of 17 | 34 of 78 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Lingo | 30 of 91 | 32% | 19 of 75 | 8 of 12 | 3 of 4 | 30 of 91 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Nate Landwehr | 30 of 75 | 40% | 16 of 52 | 7 of 16 | 7 of 7 | 27 of 70 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 4 |
| Austin Lingo | 18 of 55 | 32% | 9 of 41 | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Landwehr but is hesitant, citing concerns about Lingo's short-notice weight cut. He notes that Landwehr is high-pressure and gritty, but that Lingo hits hard and has good takedown defense. He thinks Landwehr's pace and grappling will be key, but acknowledges Lingo is much better than the odds suggest. He says he is not betting on this fight because the odds are unappealing.
Big Brady picks Nate Landwehr by submission, noting that Landwehr has a sneaky submission game and can mix in takedowns. He acknowledges Lingo's power and early danger but believes Landwehr's cardio and pressure will break Lingo as the fight goes on. Brady points out that Lingo has been taken down easily on the regional scene and expects Landwehr to capitalize late, predicting a third-round submission.
Cody picks Landwehr despite the -225 price, citing his relentless pressure, cardio, and ability to break opponents. He notes Landwehr is a slow starter but comes on strong, and that Lingo is a one-dimensional boxer with no takedown defense. He acknowledges the risk of Landwehr getting KO'd due to his reckless style but believes Lingo won't get a quick finish. He expects Landwehr to back Lingo up and break him down.
Connor picks Landwehr despite acknowledging Lingo has a puncher's chance. He notes Landwehr is a better athlete and super tough, but his brawling style will give Lingo opportunities. He thinks Landwehr's physicality and willingness to brawl will allow him to push Lingo to the cage and slow him down.
Jacob picks Landwehr but is not confident, noting that Landwehr is the better fighter but often fights recklessly for entertainment. He points out that Landwehr almost got knocked out in his last fight and that Lingo is dangerous. He says the fight is a coin flip if Landwehr chooses to stand and trade. He might throw a small bet on Lingo as an underdog depending on weigh-ins.
The host is surprised to see Lingo as such a big underdog, believing his boxing style is perfect to counter Landwehr's wild striking. He thinks Lingo's power and countering opportunities will lead to a knockout. He notes Lingo trains at Fortis MMA and has good durability. He also likes the prop 'fight doesn't go to decision' and Lingo by knockout.
The Guru picks Landwehr, praising his toughness and clinch work. He notes that Lingo's finishing ability has dropped against better competition, while Landwehr has beaten solid fighters like Elkins and Klein. He predicts a late finish or decision win for Landwehr.
Zane picks Landwehr because Lingo has thrived against opponents who didn't want to brawl, but Landwehr will meet him head-on with pressure. He believes Landwehr's better athleticism and willingness to be the bully will allow him to push Lingo to the cage and take away his brawling ability.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Lingo | 1 | 73 of 181 | 40% | 74 of 185 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:31 |
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 77 of 160 | 48% | 81 of 165 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Lingo | 0 | 24 of 56 | 42% | 24 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 34 of 66 | 51% | 34 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Austin Lingo | 0 | 33 of 81 | 40% | 33 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 29 of 61 | 47% | 29 of 61 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Austin Lingo | 1 | 16 of 44 | 36% | 17 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 14 of 33 | 42% | 18 of 38 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Lingo | 73 of 181 | 40% | 45 of 143 | 23 of 32 | 5 of 6 | 73 of 179 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 77 of 160 | 48% | 34 of 111 | 26 of 31 | 17 of 18 | 75 of 158 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Lingo | 24 of 56 | 42% | 16 of 46 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 24 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 34 of 66 | 51% | 16 of 45 | 11 of 13 | 7 of 8 | 34 of 66 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Austin Lingo | 33 of 81 | 40% | 20 of 64 | 10 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 33 of 79 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 29 of 61 | 47% | 12 of 43 | 10 of 11 | 7 of 7 | 27 of 59 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Austin Lingo | 16 of 44 | 36% | 9 of 33 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 14 of 33 | 42% | 6 of 23 | 5 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Austin Lingo as a dog, but with low confidence. He likes Lingo's pressure and power, and notes both fighters are finishers. He thinks the fight will end in a knockout and picks Lingo to close the distance and land a hard shot. He also mentions the under 2.5 rounds as a solid bet.
Cody leans toward Saldaña, citing his flashy striking, mobility, and ability to stay at range. He notes Lingo's power but questions his cardio and experience in longer fights. He expects a close decision and sees value on Saldaña.
Saldana is a great striker with good combinations and kicks, and he can fight off his back foot. Lingo has knockout power but tends to follow opponents rather than cut off the cage, which plays into Saldana's matador style. I think Saldana cruises to a decision unless Lingo lands a clean shot early.
Paul picks Saldaña, highlighting his kick-heavy range game and ability to matador Lingo. He notes Lingo's tendency to load up and tire, and believes Saldaña can maintain distance and outpoint him. He expects the fight to go the distance.
The MMA Guru picks Austin Lingo as an underdog. He sees red flags in Saldaña's game, especially poor takedown defense and losses to lower-level opponents. Lingo is well-rounded with good cardio, grappling, and a good chin. He believes Lingo can exploit Saldaña's holes and get an upset win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Lingo | 0 | 64 of 201 | 31% | 78 of 216 | 1 of 18 | 5% | 1 | 0 | 1:09 |
| Jacob Kilburn | 1 | 95 of 182 | 52% | 110 of 197 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:50 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Lingo | 0 | 21 of 74 | 28% | 21 of 74 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
| Jacob Kilburn | 1 | 44 of 83 | 53% | 45 of 84 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 | |
| 2 | Austin Lingo | 0 | 19 of 58 | 32% | 23 of 62 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 0:33 |
| Jacob Kilburn | 0 | 26 of 48 | 54% | 26 of 48 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:13 | |
| 3 | Austin Lingo | 0 | 24 of 69 | 34% | 34 of 80 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jacob Kilburn | 0 | 25 of 51 | 49% | 39 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Lingo | 64 of 201 | 31% | 47 of 172 | 8 of 19 | 9 of 10 | 60 of 190 | 3 of 8 | 1 of 3 |
| Jacob Kilburn | 95 of 182 | 52% | 81 of 166 | 10 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 93 of 177 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Lingo | 21 of 74 | 28% | 15 of 62 | 5 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 73 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jacob Kilburn | 44 of 83 | 53% | 39 of 77 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 42 of 79 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Austin Lingo | 19 of 58 | 32% | 15 of 51 | 1 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 18 of 51 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 1 |
| Jacob Kilburn | 26 of 48 | 54% | 21 of 43 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 26 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Austin Lingo | 24 of 69 | 34% | 17 of 59 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 6 | 22 of 66 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
| Jacob Kilburn | 25 of 51 | 49% | 21 of 46 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 25 of 50 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Austin Lingo to win by first-round knockout. He expects both fighters to stand and bang until one falls. He notes that Kilburn has been finished in all three losses by submission, but he thinks Lingo will knock him out. He doesn't love the -225 line but believes Lingo is the more skilled fighter.
Daniel Levi is extremely confident in Austin Lingo, calling Jacob Kilburn potentially the worst fighter in the featherweight division. He cites insider information from ATT training partners who dominated Kilburn in sparring, and notes that Lingo's poor debut was due to late notice. He expects Lingo to win by knockout or dominant decision.
Lingo has dynamite in his hands and is a combination striker with good footwork. Kilburn is a one-and-done puncher who throws spinning attacks but lacks combinations. Both are primarily strikers, so the fight should stay on the feet. Lingo's better technique and camp (Fortis MMA) give him the edge. However, Lingo's price is steep, and he has limited UFC tape. The under 2.5 rounds at plus money is a better bet, as both have finishing ability.
The MMA Guru picks Austin Lingo over Jacob Kilburn, citing Lingo's superior ground game as a fallback if striking doesn't work. He notes Kilburn's glaring weakness on the ground, exposed in previous losses. He predicts a finish in the second or third round, either by TKO or submission, as Kilburn slows down.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 12 of 61 | 19% | 16 of 68 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Austin Lingo | 0 | 31 of 55 | 56% | 49 of 80 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 6:38 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Youssef Zalal | 0 | 8 of 30 | 26% | 10 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:00 |
| Austin Lingo | 0 | 16 of 31 | 51% | 18 of 36 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 0:40 | |
| 2 | Youssef Zalal | 0 | 0 of 11 | 0% | 2 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Austin Lingo | 0 | 5 of 6 | 83% | 13 of 16 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 3:33 | |
| 3 | Youssef Zalal | 0 | 4 of 20 | 20% | 4 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Austin Lingo | 0 | 10 of 18 | 55% | 18 of 28 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:25 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youssef Zalal | 12 of 61 | 19% | 5 of 47 | 5 of 10 | 2 of 4 | 11 of 56 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Lingo | 31 of 55 | 56% | 16 of 37 | 6 of 9 | 9 of 9 | 28 of 51 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Youssef Zalal | 8 of 30 | 26% | 4 of 22 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 26 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Lingo | 16 of 31 | 51% | 10 of 23 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Youssef Zalal | 0 of 11 | 0% | 0 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Lingo | 5 of 6 | 83% | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Youssef Zalal | 4 of 20 | 20% | 1 of 14 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Lingo | 10 of 18 | 55% | 4 of 11 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The Octagon debutantes touch gloves and we’re underway, with Lingo quickly taking the center of the cage. Lingo connects with a left but eats a knee to the body before the featherweights clinch. Zalal lands a calf kick and follows up with a high kick. Zalal grabs a leg and shoves Lingo into the fence. Lingo is already bleeding from his nose. Lingo lands a punch to the body before they separate. Zalal goes back to the low kick, but eats a snapping right hand moments later. Zalal attempts to get Lingo down with a body lock. Lingo is up but Zalal maintains a front headlock, where he lands a series of knees to the head before the Fortis MMA member breaks free. Lingo continues to bleed profusely from his nose. Zalal lands a jumping knee as Lingo pressures with a series of punches against the cage. Lingo with a solid right hand before forcing the clinch. Zalal lands another calf quick before circling out of danger. The Factory X representative takes Lingo down with about 45 seconds left. Lingo explodes to his feet and lands a takedown of his own in the waning seconds. 10-9 Zalal.
Round 2
Zalal changes levels and grabs a single leg, forcing Lingo to the fence. Lingo defends as long as he can, but Zalal dumps his man on his seat against the cage. Zalal has settled into Lingo’s full guard as he pulls his foe away from the fence. Lingo is able to free his right arm, which was previously trapped underneath his body. Lingo attempts to scramble up, but he allows Zalal to lock in a brabo choke. Lingo stands, but Zalal still has the choke in place. Zalal falls back and tightens the maneuver. Lingo is able to break free and they stand with 1:30 left in the round. Lingo continues to apply pressure on the feet, but he’s struggling to track Zalal down. Zalal lands another takedown with less than a minute to go. Lingo briefly clings to a guillotine, but Zalal is in no real danger. The combatants return to their feet and Lingo blocks a high kick at the horn. 10-9 Zalal.
Round 3
Zalal goes back to the calf kick. Moments later he throws a head kick, but Lingo blocks it. Zalal comes down the middle with a knee and then follows up by landing a straight left. Zalal with a push kick to the gut and then a rear kick to the body. Lingo pressures with punches, but Zalal forces the clinch. Moments later, Zalal is able to trip Lingo to the canvas in the center of the Octagon. Lingo rolls and recovers full guard as Zalal attempts to move to his foe’s back. Zalal drops some short elbows from top position. Lingo creates space with his legs and hustles up to his feet, but his head is caught in a front headlock. Zalal snaps him down and looks to lock in an anaconda choke. Zalal lets it go and returns to the front headlock. He separates and lands a jab. Lingo forces the clinch, but the featherweights separate and Zalal fires a high kick that’s blocked. With time winding down, Zalal gets Lingo down again, and he threatens with both a guillotine and a brabo choke before the contest ends. 10-9 Zalal (30-27 Zalal).
The Official Result
Youssef Zalal def. Austin Lingo via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00
Daniel Levi picks Austin Lingo to knock out Youssef Zalal. He highlights Lingo's knockout power and consistent pressure from Fortis, while noting Zalal's tendency to be bullied by physical fighters. He believes Lingo will go forward and land heavy shots, possibly finishing the fight.
The host does not pick a side but instead focuses on the under 2.5 rounds, citing both fighters' aggressive striking styles and finishing ability. He notes that both have only gone to decision twice in their careers, making the under a strong play. He mentions that if a side were forced, he would lean Zalal but the under is the primary bet.
Expert Picks (6)
Angelo picks Melquizael Costa, believing a full camp Costa is better than a full camp Lingo. He notes Costa is a creative striker who uses his grappling well, while Lingo is a tough, well-rounded striker. However, he is not confident enough to bet on Costa, calling it a perfect fight to see how good a prospect Costa is. He advises against throwing money on this fight.
Big Brady picks Melquizael Costa, citing his superior striking volume, kicks, and offensive grappling. He notes Costa is hittable but tough, while Lingo has power but hasn't translated it at UFC level. He thinks Costa has more ways to win, though the fight may be closer than the line suggests. He calls -205 'kind of stupid' but expects Costa to get the job done.
Cody picks Costa, citing his faster, crisper striking and Lingo's basic, robotic style. He notes Lingo's inactivity and injuries, and that Costa's takedown defense won't be tested since Lingo doesn't wrestle. He thinks Costa's combination punching and power will be too much, and that Lingo's one-two pattern will get figured out.
The host thinks Costa's footwork, speed, and kicking game will keep him safe at distance, allowing him to touch up Lingo en route to a decision. He compares it to Lingo's fight with Luis Saldana, but believes Costa has the cardio to go the full 15 minutes unlike Saldana.
Paul picks Costa, citing his more well-rounded skill set on the feet. He thinks Costa will win with volume and precise striking over 15 minutes. He doesn't love the moneyline but sees it as a necessary play on a greasy card. He also mentions a PrizePicks prop for under 1.5 takedowns for Costa, as he doesn't expect wrestling to be part of the game plan.
The MMA Guru picks Melquizael Costa over Austin Lingo, dismissing Lingo's talent and noting his weak UFC wins over lower-level opponents. He highlights Costa's dangerous striking, good regional performances, and a Contender Series KO, while noting Lingo's quick turnaround after a KO loss to Nate Landwehr. He predicts Costa wins by KO in the later rounds.
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