Moises vs Costa

Who won Moises vs Costa?

Thiago Moises beat Melquizael Costa by submission in the 2nd round during the prelims of UFC 283, on Saturday 21st January 2023 at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 3 rounds in the Lightweight division, which meant the weight limit was 155 pounds (11.1 stone or 70.3 KG).

Moises vs Costa stats

Thiago Moises stepped into the octagon with a record of 16 wins, 6 losses and 0 draws, 3 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 7 by submission.

Melquizael Costa made his way to the cage with a record of 19 wins, 5 losses and 0 draws, 7 of those wins coming by knock out and 6 by submission.

This was Thiago Moises' 15th fight in the UFC, having made his debut for the promotion in 2018. Melquizael Costa marked his 7th fight for them, having made his own debut for the promotion in 2023.

Thiago Moises' UFC record stood at 8-7-0, while Melquizael Costa's came in at 5-2-0.

The stats suggested Costa had an advantage in power over Moises, with a 37% knock out percentage over Moises' 19%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Moises had an advantage over Costa, with a 44% submission rate over Costa's 32%.

Thiago Moises was the older man by 2 years, at 30 years old.

Costa had a height advantage of 1 inch over Moises.

Moises was arguably the more experienced fighter, having had 2 fewer fights, and made his debut in 2012, 1 year and 9 months earlier than Costa, whose first professional fight was in 2014. He had fought 4 more professional rounds, 73 to Costa's 69.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Melquizael Costa had been fighting more than Thiago Moises.

Going to this contest, Thiago Moises had last fought 5 years and 9 days ago, while Melquizael Costa's last outing had been 2 years, 6 months and 4 days ago.

Moises' last 2 fights had come over a period of 6 years, 6 months and 12 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 3 years, 3 months and 6 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 5 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.5 rounds on average.

Costa's last 2 fights had come over a period of 3 years and 9 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 1 year, 6 months and 6 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 6 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 3 rounds on average.

What were the odds on Moises vs Costa?

Thiago Moises was a 23/100 (-430) favourite going into the contest, while Melquizael Costa made his way into the ring at 13/4 (+330) with oddsmakers.