Melquizael Costa

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Melquizael Costa
BornMelquizael Costa da Conceição[1]
(1996-09-14) September 14, 1996
Porto de Moz, Pará, Brazil
NicknameThe Dalmatian
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)[2]
Weight145.5 lb (66 kg; 10 st 6 lb)[2]
DivisionFeatherweight (2014–present)
Lightweight (2018–2023)
Bantamweight (2016)
Reach71 in (180 cm)[2]
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofBauru, São Paulo, Brazil
TeamChute Boxe Bauru
(2018–present)[3]
TrainerJoão Emilio[3]
RankBlack belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu[4]
Black prajied in Muay Thai[4]
Years active2014–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total34
Wins26
By knockout9
By submission8
By decision9
Losses8
By knockout2
By submission2
By decision4
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Melquizael Costa da Conceição (Portuguese pronunciation: [/mew.ki.za.ˈɛw ˈkɔs.tɐ dɐ kõ.sej.ˈsɐ̃w/]; born September 14, 1996), sometimes known as Melk Costa, is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. A professional since 2014, he currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Costa formerly competed in the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA), Predator FC, SFT Combat, Titans FC, Future MMA, and SFC. As of June 20, 2026, he is #11 in the Meta UFC featherweight rankings.[5]

Background

Melquizael Costa da Conceição was born and raised in Porto de Moz, in the interior of Pará. At the age of four, he developed vitiligo, an autoimmune condition that causes the loss of skin pigmentation. During his childhood, Costa was the target of bullying and social isolation; many people in his town confused the condition with leprosy, which often led parents to keep their children away from him.[6] The prejudice led him to hide his body under long-sleeved clothing and avoid social interactions.[7]

At age 13, looking for a way to defend himself, Costa began training in boxing and, later, Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The gym environment became a refuge where he was welcomed by his training partners, which helped him accept his body.[8] Initially, he faced financial hardships, even selling popsicles on the streets to balance his studies and pay for his training.[3] The decision to focus on a professional MMA career was solidified after he saw former fighter Scott Jorgensen, who also has vitiligo, in a UFC video game, proving to Costa that reaching the promotion was possible.[9] His biggest sports supporter was his older brother, Natanael, whose death in a workplace accident in 2013 pushed Costa to make his professional debut at age 17 to honor his memory.[3]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Costa made his professional MMA debut at 17 years old. In 2016, he moved to the city of Belém looking for better opportunities in the regional circuit. During this period, his hardships led him to be discovered by coach João Emilio, resulting in his relocation to Bauru, São Paulo, and his affiliation with the Chute Boxe Bauru team.[3]

On August 18, 2018, Costa fought for the Demolidor Fight 13 lightweight championship against Rafael Barbosa. During the third round, Costa was caught in an arm-triangle choke and lost consciousness. The referee, Emerson Saez, failed to notice that Costa was out and let the fight continue for almost two minutes, while Costa even suffered seizures in the cage.[10] His opponent realized the situation and loosened the grip on his own, which Costa later stated saved his life. He was hospitalized after regaining consciousness in the cage but was released the next day without severe injuries.[11]

He compiled a record of 19 wins and 5 losses in the regional circuit fighting in the bantamweight, featherweight, and lightweight divisions. During this run, Costa won the Predator FC Featherweight Championship in Mexico. He also competed in the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA), where he secured his UFC spot after a third-round technical knockout win over Jose Cleiton de Melo Jr. at LFA 147 in November 2022.[12]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Costa made his UFC debut replacing Guram Kutateladze on short notice in a lightweight bout against Thiago Moisés at UFC 283 on January 21, 2023.[13] He lost the fight in the second round via submission due to a face crank.[14]

He made his promotional featherweight debut and returned to the division against Austin Lingo at UFC on ESPN 49 on July 15, 2023.[15] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[16]

Costa was scheduled to face Steve Garcia at UFC on ESPN 52 on December 2, 2023,[17] but the bout was cancelled during fight week after Garcia fell ill.[18] The matchup was rescheduled for the following week at UFC Fight Night 233 on December 9, 2023.[19] He lost the fight in the second round via technical knockout after receiving repeated elbows.[20]

Costa faced Shayilan Nuerdanbieke at UFC on ESPN 58 on June 15, 2024.[21] He won the fight in the third round via submission due to a face crank.[22]

Costa faced Andre Fili at UFC Fight Night 252 on February 22, 2025.[23] He won the fight in the first round via submission with a guillotine choke.[24]

Making a quick turnaround, Costa faced Christian Rodriguez at UFC on ESPN 64 on March 29, 2025.[25] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[26]

Costa faced Julian Erosa at UFC Fight Night 256 on May 17, 2025.[27] He won the fight via unanimous decision. This win earned him his first Fight of the Night bonus award.[28]

Costa faced Morgan Charrière at UFC on ESPN 73 on December 13, 2025.[29] He won the fight via knockout in the first round with a head kick.[30]

Costa faced Dan Ige at UFC Fight Night 267 on February 21, 2026.[31] He won the fight in the first round via technical knockout with a spinning back kick and punches, marking the first time Ige was stopped in a mixed martial arts bout.[32] This fight earned him his first Performance of the Night award.[33]

Costa faced Arnold Allen, headlining his first event at UFC Fight Night 276 on May 16, 2026.[34] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[35]

Personal life

Costa has lived with vitiligo since his childhood. He uses his visibility in MMA to act as an advocate for awareness about the condition, supporting children who face discrimination. As a way to fight back against the bullying he suffered growing up, he adopted the nickname "The Dalmatian". In his fights, Costa often expresses his visual identity by dyeing his hair in different colors and painting his face in various ways, notably referencing the dog breed during the official weigh-ins at UFC Seattle.[36]

Of Afro-Brazilian descent,[37] Costa is married to his wife, Cintia Larissa, and has two children (a daughter and a son).[4]

In early 2025, Costa revealed he suffered an anxiety crisis due to financial struggles and a delay in his contract renewal with the UFC. During this period, he even applied for a job as a driver for Uber to support his family, before finally signing the deal to face Andre Fili.[38]

Championships and accomplishments

  • Predator Fighting Championships
    • Predator FC Featherweight Championship (One time, former)

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
34 matches 26 wins 8 losses
By knockout 9 2
By submission 8 2
By decision 9 4
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 26–8 Arnold Allen Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Costa May 16, 2026 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 26–7 Dan Ige TKO (spinning back kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez February 21, 2026 1 4:56 Houston, Texas, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 25–7 Morgan Charrière KO (head kick) UFC on ESPN: Royval vs. Kape December 13, 2025 1 1:14 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 24–7 Julian Erosa Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales May 17, 2025 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 23–7 Christian Rodriguez Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Moreno vs. Erceg March 29, 2025 3 5:00 Mexico City, Mexico
Win 22–7 Andre Fili Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Song February 22, 2025 1 4:30 Seattle, Washington, United States
Win 21–7 Shayilan Nuerdanbieke Submission (face crank) UFC on ESPN: Perez vs. Taira June 15, 2024 3 1:50 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 20–7 Steve Garcia KO (elbows) UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Gutiérrez December 9, 2023 2 1:01 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Lightweight bout.
Win 20–6 Austin Lingo Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Bueno Silva July 15, 2023 3 5:09 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Return to Featherweight.
Loss 19–6 Thiago Moisés Submission (face crank) UFC 283 January 21, 2023 2 4:05 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 19–5 Junior Melo TKO (punches) LFA 147 November 18, 2022 3 2:00 Sloan, Iowa, United States
Win 18–5 Tom Santos TKO (punches) Presas Combat 1 August 20, 2022 1 4:45 Marília, Brazil
Loss 17–5 Italo Gomes Decision (unanimous) LFA 132 May 13, 2022 3 5:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Return to Lightweight.
Win 17–4 Ángel Rodriguez Submission (rear-naked choke) Predator FC 42 March 19, 2022 2 2:36 Cancún, Mexico Won the vacant Predator FC Featherweight Championship.
Win 16–4 Leandro Santos Decision (unanimous) Future MMA 13 September 24, 2021 3 5:00 Saint Luzia, Brazil
Win 15–4 Anderson Ferreira TKO (punches) Standout Fighting Tournament 21 February 29, 2020 1 2:13 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 14–4 José Santana Decision (unanimous) Prainha Fight 6 June 28, 2019 3 5:00 Prainha, Brazil Return to Lightweight.
Win 13–4 Marcelo Costa Submission (rear-naked choke) Animal Fight MMA 2019 May 18, 2019 1 1:00 Tomé-Açu, Brazil
Loss 12–4 Marcos Vinicius Decision (unanimous) Thunder Fight 18 December 21, 2018 3 5:00 São Paulo, Brazil Return to Featherweight.
Win 12–3 Alexandre Araújo TKO (punches) Jabuka Fight 7 November 23, 2018 2 1:03 Jaboticabal, Brazil
Loss 11–3 Rafael Barbosa Submission (arm-triangle choke) Demolidor Fight 13 August 18, 2018 3 3:08 São Paulo, Brazil For the vacant DFMMA Lightweight Championship.
Loss 11–2 Antônio Monteiro Decision (unanimous) Mr. Cage 32 December 30, 2017 3 5:00 Manaus, Brazil Featherweight bout.
Win 11–1 Max Douglas TKO (retirement) Orixi Combat 1 September 30, 2017 3 5:00 Oriximiná, Brazil Won the Oriximiná Combat Lightweight Championship.
Win 10–1 Willian Santos Silva Submission (heel hook) Porto Fight 10 July 28, 2017 1 1:22 Porto de Moz, Brazil
Win 9–1 Jecônias Dias Sandes Decision (unanimous) Porto Fight 9 June 17, 2017 3 5:00 Almeririm, Brazil Lightweight debut.
Loss 8–1 Elismar Lima TKO (doctor stoppage) Titans Fighters Champions 1 March 10, 2017 1 5:00 Goiânia, Brazil
Win 8–0 João Ferreira Jr. Submission (rear-naked choke) Instituto Fazendo Campeões 1 December 17, 2016 1 3:37 Ananindeua, Brazil
Win 7–0 Vitor Leandro Submission (anaconda choke) Marajó Open Fight 2 November 10, 2016 1 1:50 Soure, Brazil Return to Featherweight.
Win 6–0 Severino Ramalho da Silva Jr. Decision (unanimous) Strike FC 3 March 11, 2016 3 5:00 Belém, Brazil
Win 5–0 Jonas dos Santos Decision (unanimous) Relevation FC 3 January 29, 2016 3 5:00 Belém, Brazil Bantamweight debut.
Win 4–0 Sergio Silva KO (head kick) Porto Fight 7 December 19, 2015 1 0:31 Porto de Moz, Brazil
Win 3–0 Erwin Filho de Andrade Furtado KO (head kick) Porto Fight 6 May 9, 2015 1 3:42 Porto de Moz, Brazil
Win 2–0 Adriel Santos Submission (heel hook) Xingu Fight 6 May 17, 2014 3 3:00 Porto de Moz, Brazil
Win 1–0 Benjamin Junior Coelho Pantoja Decision (split) Winner Combat MMA: Gurupá vs. Porto de Moz March 8, 2014 3 3:00 Gurupá, Brazil Featherweight debut.

[42]

See also

References

  1. "Melquizael Costa ("The Dalmatian") | MMA Fighter Page". tapology.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  2. "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  3. Christian Stein (2023-01-18). "10 Questions for Melquizael Costa". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  4. Zac Pacleb (2026-05-13). "Five Things To Know About Melquizael Costa". ufc.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  5. "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
  6. Guido Nunes and Marcelo Barone (2023-02-27). "Dias de Luta: Melk Cauthy supera vitiligo e se liberta do preconceito no tatame". ge.globo.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  7. Diego Ribas (2023-07-13). "Portador de vitiligo, Melquizael Costa exalta papel da luta em batalha contra depressão". agfight.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  8. Shakiel Mahjouri (2026-05-14). "UFC Fight Night: How Melquizael Costa turned his childhood shame into his MMA identity". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  9. Carol Menezes (2026-05-14). "Conheça a história do brasileiro que virou aposta forte no UFC". diariodopara.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  10. Adriano Albuquerque and Zeca Azevedo (2018-08-21). "Lutador fica apagado por quase 2min em luta: "Pior experiência da minha vida"". sportv.globo.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  11. Alexandre Azank (2018-08-22). ""Pensei que ia morrer", diz lutador de MMA que apagou em combate no interior de SP". ge.globo.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  12. Mark Lawson (2026-05-03). "Melquizael Costa: "The Dalmatian" and His Rise to a UFC Main Event". fightomic.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  13. Ag. Fight (2023-01-10). "Thiago Moisés terá compatriota estreante como rival no UFC Rio após 'perder' Kutateladze". espn.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  14. Gleidson Venga, Marcos Portuga, Raphael Marinho and Zeca Azevedo (2023-01-22). "UFC 283: Maurício Shogun é nocauteado em despedida do MMA". ge.globo.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. Guilherme Cruz (2023-05-30). "Austin Lingo vs. Melquizael Costa added to UFC Vegas 77 on July 15". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  16. Fernando Keller (2023-07-15). "Com atuação dominante, Melquizael Costa bate Austin Lingo e vence a primeira no UFC Las Vegas 77". superlutas.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  17. Sayan Nag (2023-10-09). "Steve Garcia and Melquizael Costa Slated to Clash at UFC Fight Night in Austin on Dec. 2". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  18. O Liberal (2023-12-02). "Luta de Melquizael Costa é retirada do UFC Austin e pode ser reagendada para próximo sábado". oliberal.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  19. ITN News Desk (2023-12-03). "Steve Garcia Jr. vs Melquizael Costa Reported for UFC Vegas 83". itnwwe.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  20. Igor Ribeiro (2023-12-09). "VÍDEO: Nocauteado, brasileiro confunde árbitro com adversário e protagoniza cena bizarra no UFC". superlutas.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  21. David Andrew (2024-05-18). "Nuerdanbieke Shayilan to Face Melquizael Costa at UFC on ESPN 58 on June 15". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  22. Gabriel Fareli (2024-06-15). "Melquizael Costa suporta bom início de rival e finaliza chinês no UFC Vegas 93". superlutas.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  23. Diego Ribas (2025-01-24). "Finalmente! Melk Costa encara veterano Andre Fili no UFC Seattle, em fevereiro". agfight.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  24. Tiago Campos (2025-02-22). "Melquizael Costa vence dono da casa com guilhotina e tira onda com bordão de Alex Poatan no UFC Seattle". superlutas.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  25. Tristen Critchfield (2025-02-26). "Melquizael Costa Makes Quick Turnaround, Faces Christian Rodriguez at UFC Mexico City". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  26. Geovanne Peçanha (2025-03-29). "UFC México: Melk Costa vence batalha dura e conquista sua 3º vitória seguida". agfight.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  27. Diego Ribas (2025-04-22). "De volta! Melk Costa enfrenta Julian Erosa em duelo no UFC Vegas 106". agfight.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  28. Geovanne Peçanha (2025-05-17). "Melk Costa e Denise Gomes garantem bônus de performance e faturam R$ 283 mil". agfight.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  29. Diego Ribas (2025-10-22). "Dálmata em ação! Melk Costa retorna no UFC Vegas 112 contra Morgan Charrière". agfight.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  30. Gabriel Reis (2025-12-14). "Nocaute do ano? Melquizael Costa brilha no UFC Vegas 112 e apaga rival com chute cinematográfico". superlutas.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  31. Gaspar Bruno (2026-01-07). "Ultimate encaminha Melk Costa vs Dan Ige para o UFC Houston, em fevereiro". agfight.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  32. Geovanne Peçanha (2026-02-22). "Melquizael Costa brilha no UFC Houston com nocaute brutal em Dan Ige". agfight.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  33. Geovanne Peçanha (2026-02-22). "UFC Houston: Melquizael Costa fatura bônus de R$ 520 mil após nocaute avassalador". agfight.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  34. Diego Ribas (2026-03-12). "Luta principal! UFC encaminha duelo entre Melk Costa e Arnold Allen para maio". agfight.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  35. Jay Anderson (2026-05-16). "UFC Vegas 117: Arnold Allen returns to win column with decision over Melquizael Costa". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
  36. Diego Ribas (2024-10-22). "Dálmata! Melquizael Costa transforma dor em identidade com estreia de novo apelido no UFC". agfight.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  37. Mark Lawson. "Is Melquizael Costa Black? UFC Fighter's Ethnicity and Nationality". fightreportmma.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  38. Guilherme Cruz (2025-02-22). "Melquizael Costa reveals anxiety crisis before renewing UFC deal, signing for Andre Fili fight". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  39. Taylor, Chris. "UFC Houston Bonus Report: Melquizael Costa one of four 'POTN' winners". BJPenn.com. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  40. Behunin, Alexander. "Both fighters from UFC Vegas 106's 'Fight of the Night' transported to hospital after wicked brawl (Updated)". MMAMedia. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  41. Richardson, Andrew (December 25, 2025). "Top Five UFC/MMA Fights Of 2025". MMA Mania. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  42. "Melquizael "The Dalmatian" Costa". Sherdog. Retrieved 2026-05-15.