The Basic Incentives of Melquizael Costa

Melquizael Costa’s motivations are simple enough.

“I like beating people up,” he told Sherdog.com. “Plus, I get paid to do it. It’s the best thing in the world.”

Costa will set out in search of his second straight win in the Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight division when he takes on Steve Garcia as part of the UFC on ESPN 52 undercard this Saturday at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. The confident 27-year-old Brazilian has no qualms about fighting on foreign soil.

“For my whole career, I’ve always fought away from home,” Costa said. “I feel great being the away team. I usually get booed on the way in and cheered after the fact.”

Garcia poses a serious threat. The Jackson-Wink MMA rep has secured 11 of his 14 professional victories by knockout or technical knockout, five of them inside one round. Garcia last appeared at UFC 287, where he buried Nuerdanbieke Shayilan with a body kick and follow-up punches in the second round of their April 8 pairing.

“He’s a southpaw, and he’s a sniper,” Costa said. “I’ve fought tall snipers like him, guys who come after you. It’s pretty cool. It’s a game that matches well with mine. I enjoy fighting guys who aren’t afraid to trade punches. We have studied him well, as I’m sure he’s studied me. Every fight is unique. What I do know for sure is that the fans will love our war. I’m excited for it. I’m happy he’s not the kind of fighter I have to keep chasing around the cage.”

Costa has rattled off eight wins across his past 10 outings. He last competed on July 15, when he downshifted to 145 pounds and laid claim to a three-round unanimous decision over Austin Lingo at UFC on ESPN 49.

“I was able to show more of my game, but I fought with more caution,” Costa said. “It was a new weight class for me. I made weight without a problem, but I wasn’t sure how my performance would be.”

A former Predador Fight Championship titleholder and onetime Legacy Fighting Alliance headliner, Costa operates out of the Joao Emilio-fronted Chute Boxe affiliate in Bauru, Brazil. He believes in his preparation.

“Ours is a strong team,” he said. “We have coaches for muay thai, jiu-jitsu and boxing. Everyone is very skilled in their departments. Plus, we have physical therapists and conditioning coaches. As far as training, I’m feeling 130%. Mentally? 200%.”

Costa wants to grow his brand moving forward.

“My plan for the future is to stay very active in 2024,” he said. “Right now, I just want to fight again and show all the fans that I’m a different kind of fighter. In 2024, I want the fans to get to know me even more, so the more I fight, the better, and [it means] more money in my pocket.”