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.

Moises vs Costa form

Thiago Moises had beaten 3 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had won against Christos Giagos at UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs. Gamrot on 25th June 2022 by submission in the 1st round at UFC APEX, Las Vegas, United States.

Previous to that, he had lost to Joel Alvarez at UFC Vegas 42 on 13th November 2021 by knockout in the 1st round at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

Going into that contest, he had been beaten by Islam Makhachev at UFC Vegas 31 on 17th July 2021 by submission in the 4th round at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

Before that, he had beaten Bobby Green at UFC Vegas 12 on 31st October 2020 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

He had defeated Michael Johnson at UFC Fight Night Jacksonville on 13th May 2020 by submission in the 2nd round at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville.

Melquizael Costa had beaten 3 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight before this contest, he was victorious against Andre Fili at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Song on 22nd February 2025 by submission in the 1st round at Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, United States.

Previous to that, he had won against Yilan Sha at UFC Fight Night: Perez vs. Taira on 15th June 2024 by submission in the 3rd round at UFC Apex, Las Vegas.

Going into that contest, he had been defeated by Steve Garcia at UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Gutierrez on 9th December 2023 by knockout in the 2nd round at UFC Apex, Las Vegas.

Before that, he had beaten Austin Lingo at UFC Fight Night – Holm vs. Bueno Silva on 15th July 2023 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at UFC Apex, Las Vegas.

He had lost to Thiago Moises at UFC 283 on 21st January 2023 by submission in the 2nd round at Jeunesse Arena, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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 3 years and 10 days ago, while Melquizael Costa's last outing had been 4 months and 13 days ago.

Moises' last 5 fights had come over a period of 5 years, 1 month and 22 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 1 year and 10 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 11 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.2 rounds on average.

Costa's last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 5 months and 14 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 5 months and 28 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 11 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.2 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.