Melquizael Costa

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. The prejudice led him to hide his body under long-sleeved clothing and avoid social interactions.

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. Initially, he faced financial hardships, even selling popsicles on the streets to balance his studies and pay for his training. 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. 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.

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.

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. He lost the fight in the second round via submission due to a face crank.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Costa faced Dan Ige at UFC Fight Night 267 on February 21, 2026. 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. This fight earned him his first Performance of the Night award.

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

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.

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

Championships and accomplishments

Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time) Fight of the Night (One time)

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

MMA Mania 2025 #5 Ranked Fight of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Arnold Allen Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Costa

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Dan Ige TKO (spinning back kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Morgan Charrière KO (head kick) UFC on ESPN: Royval vs. Kape

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Julian Erosa Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Christian Rodriguez Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Moreno vs. Erceg

Mexico City, Mexico Win

Andre Fili Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Song

Seattle, Washington, United States Win

Shayilan Nuerdanbieke Submission (face crank) UFC on ESPN: Perez vs. Taira

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Steve Garcia KO (elbows) UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Gutiérrez

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Austin Lingo Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Bueno Silva

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Thiago Moisés Submission (face crank) UFC 283

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Junior Melo TKO (punches) LFA 147

Sloan, Iowa, United States Win

Tom Santos TKO (punches) Presas Combat 1

Marília, Brazil Loss

Italo Gomes Decision (unanimous) LFA 132

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Ángel Rodriguez Submission (rear-naked choke) Predator FC 42

Cancún, Mexico Win

Leandro Santos Decision (unanimous) Future MMA 13

Saint Luzia, Brazil Win

Anderson Ferreira TKO (punches) Standout Fighting Tournament 21

São Paulo, Brazil Win

José Santana Decision (unanimous) Prainha Fight 6

Prainha, Brazil Win

Marcelo Costa Submission (rear-naked choke) Animal Fight MMA 2019

Tomé-Açu, Brazil Loss

Marcos Vinicius Decision (unanimous) Thunder Fight 18

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Alexandre Araújo TKO (punches) Jabuka Fight 7

Jaboticabal, Brazil Loss

Rafael Barbosa Submission (arm-triangle choke) Demolidor Fight 13

São Paulo, Brazil Loss

Antônio Monteiro Decision (unanimous) Mr. Cage 32

Manaus, Brazil Win

Max Douglas TKO (retirement) Orixi Combat 1

Oriximiná, Brazil Win

Willian Santos Silva Submission (heel hook) Porto Fight 10

Porto de Moz, Brazil Win

Jecônias Dias Sandes Decision (unanimous) Porto Fight 9

Almeririm, Brazil Loss

Elismar Lima TKO (doctor stoppage) Titans Fighters Champions 1

Goiânia, Brazil Win

João Ferreira Jr. Submission (rear-naked choke) Instituto Fazendo Campeões 1

Ananindeua, Brazil Win

Vitor Leandro Submission (anaconda choke) Marajó Open Fight 2

Soure, Brazil Win

Severino Ramalho da Silva Jr. Decision (unanimous) Strike FC 3

Belém, Brazil Win

Jonas dos Santos Decision (unanimous) Relevation FC 3

Belém, Brazil Win

Sergio Silva KO (head kick) Porto Fight 7

Porto de Moz, Brazil Win

Erwin Filho de Andrade Furtado KO (head kick) Porto Fight 6

Porto de Moz, Brazil Win

Adriel Santos Submission (heel hook) Xingu Fight 6

Porto de Moz, Brazil Win

Benjamin Junior Coelho Pantoja Decision (split) Winner Combat MMA: Gurupá vs. Porto de Moz

Gurupá, Brazil