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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Matt Erickson and Ken Hathaway

Melquizael Costa wants to get crazy with someone in Brazil after UFC on ESPN 49 win

LAS VEGAS – Melquizael Costa beat Austin Lingo with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN 49 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Costa, who bounced back from a January loss to Thiago Moises in his UFC debut.

Melquizael Costa vs. Austin Lingo

Result: Melquizael Costa def. Austin Lingo via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Updated records: Costa (20-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Lingo (9-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC)
Key stats: Costa outstruck Lingo 108-39 and landed three takedowns.

Costa on the fight's key moment

Melquizael Costa vs. Austin Lingo

“I have a very strong kick and we trained that a lot. My master always tells me to just keep going with that and they were telling me to kick him. When I started to kick him, this guy is tough and he wouldn’t go down. I have to take my hat off him. He’s really tough.”

Costa on his blue-dyed hair

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 15: (L-R) Melquizael Costa of Brazil punches Austin Lingo in their featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night at UFC APEX on July 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“This is a cause that’s very dear to me. I’ve always had a skin condition ever since I was a kid. It’s something that I like to raise awareness for.”

Costa on what he wants next

Melquizael Costa

“I’m very excited about that event in Brazil. If anybody wants to come out and brawl, that’s how I like to go at it. I like to go at it whether standing up or on the ground. If there is a crazy dude that wants to go at it, let’s do it. We’re ready.”

To hear more from Costa, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 49.

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