{"id":36947,"date":"2026-02-27T20:32:58","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T20:32:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sherdog.com\/news\/news\/Melquizael-Costa-points-out-featherweight-with-weapon-to-dethrone-champ-200279"},"modified":"2026-02-27T20:32:58","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T20:32:58","slug":"melquizael-costa-points-out-featherweight-with-weapon-to-dethrone-champ","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.martialartskleinanzeigen.com\/videos\/melquizael-costa-points-out-featherweight-with-weapon-to-dethrone-champ\/","title":{"rendered":"Melquizael Costa points out featherweight with \u2018weapon\u2019 to dethrone champ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>\n

Rising
\nUltimate Fighting Championship<\/a> talent Melquizael
\nCosta<\/a> believes he has his division figured out.<\/p>\n

Now a ranked 145-pounder after becoming the first man to stop
\nDan Ige<\/a>
\nas a pro, Costa took a long look at the rest of his division. While
\nhe currently rides a six-fight win streak, the man known as \u201cThe
\nDalmation\u201d knows he still has some work to do to get to the top of
\nthe ladder. The next crack at Alexander
\nVolkanovski<\/a>\u2019s throne may go to the upcoming victor of Lerone
\nMurphy<\/a> vs. Movsar
\nEvloev<\/a>, and after that, it remains to be seen. Costa spoke to
\nSherdog<\/a>
\non Monday after his victory, where he broke down the future of his
\nweight class.<\/p>\n

\u201cUFC is looking for exciting fights,\u201d Costa noted. \u201cIn the papers,
\nthe winner of Evloev and Murphy might get the title shot, but I
\nbelieve Jean Silva<\/a>
\nprovides much more excitement, as he showed on his last fights, and
\nI think he will cut that line.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of all the men in the top 15 at 145 pounds, Costa points to the
\nFighting Nerd Silva as the man with the tools to beat
\nVolkanovski.<\/p>\n

\u201cDiego
\nLopes<\/a> doesn\u2019t have heavy hands, he is sharp, but he needs the
\ncounter,\u201d Costa analyzed. \u201cVolkanovski felt that and neutralized
\nhim by cutting angles. But Jean is different. Besides being a
\nsniper, he has very heavy hands and Volkanovski doesn\u2019t have the
\nsame [durability] now. The champion is the favorite, but Jean can
\ndecide the fight in a blink [of an eye].\u201d<\/p>\n

Costa Wants It All<\/h2>\n

Currently in the 13th spot on the UFC\u2019s featherweight rankings,
\nCosta will not only be watching Murphy-Evloev closely, but he will
\nbe in attendance for the London-centered UFC Fight Night 270 event
\non March 21.<\/p>\n

\u201cI truly hope Evloev and Murphy don\u2019t make me sleep,\u201d joked the
\nBrazilian.<\/p>\n

Mere days after receiving a number next to his name, the
\n29-year-old is eager to face anyone who helps him reach the top of
\nthe division. That includes countrymen, as he called out Lopes
\nafter knocking Ige out on Saturday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see any reason to fight Patricio
\n\u2018Pitbull\u2019<\/a> even though we have the same manager. But I would
\nlove to face Diego and Jean. Take note. First, I\u2019ll submit Diego,
\nand then I\u2019ll knock out Jean Silva,\u201d Costa declared
\nconfidently.<\/p>\n