Melquizael Costa swiftly defeated Andre Fili on February 22nd, securing his second consecutive submission win with a guillotine choke. Demonstrating his eagerness to compete again, Costa will face Christian Rodriguez at UFC Mexico just five weeks later.
After experiencing delays between his recent UFC fights, Costa expressed his desire to stay more active following his latest victory. UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby responded promptly, offering him another fight immediately after his win in Seattle.
Costa mentioned to MMA Fighting that he jokingly told Dana White he was ready to fight again right away. Following standard post-fight medical checks, his coach informed him of Sean Shelby`s offer for a March 29th fight. Despite his body`s fatigue, Costa`s motivation to earn a living pushed him to accept. He was quickly presented with potential opponents: Christian Rodriguez and Jamall Emmers.
Rodriguez has a strong UFC record with five wins in his last seven fights, recently defeating Austin Bashi in January. Emmers, in contrast, has a less favorable record, losing to Nate Landwehr in March 2024.
Costa explained that while a fight against Emmers might be easier, it would be less impactful. He emphasized that after defeating a highly regarded opponent like Fili, facing Emmers, who is currently on a losing streak, wouldn`t be as beneficial. Costa believes a fight with Rodriguez is more appealing, highlighting Rodriguez`s momentum and Mexican heritage, which sets the stage for an exciting matchup.
Costa returned to Brazil shortly after his Seattle victory and immediately contacted his manager to confirm the March 29th fight. He began training that very night. To prepare for the altitude, Costa traveled to Mexico City and completed his training camp at the UFC Performance Institute in Mexico.
Costa stated that he always anticipates his opponents` strategies and thoroughly studies everyone in the UFC. He is familiar with Rodriguez since his fight with Raul Rosas Jr. Costa sees Rodriguez as a determined and hungry fighter, similar to himself, anticipating a fearless and engaging fight.
