Costa vs Rodriguez

Who won Costa vs Rodriguez?

Melquizael Costa beat Christian Rodriguez by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest during the prelims of UFC Fight Night, on Saturday 29th March 2025 at Arena CDMX in Mexico City.

The scorecards were announced in favor of the winner Melquizael Costa.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 3 rounds in the Featherweight division, which meant the weight limit was 145 pounds (10.4 stone or 65.8 KG).

Costa vs Rodriguez stats

Melquizael Costa stepped into the octagon with a record of 22 wins, 7 losses and 0 draws, 7 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 8 by submission.

Christian Rodriguez made his way to the cage with a record of 12 wins, 2 losses and 0 draws, 3 of those wins coming by knock out and 4 by submission.

This was Melquizael Costa's 6th fight in the UFC, having made his debut for the promotion in 2023. Christian Rodriguez marked his 8th fight for them, having made his own debut for the promotion in 2022.

Melquizael Costa's UFC record stood at 4-2-0, while Christian Rodriguez's came in at 5-3-0.

The stats suggested Costa had a slight advantage in power over Rodriguez, with a 32% knock out percentage over Rodriguez's 25%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Costa had a slight advantage over Rodriguez, with a 36% submission rate over Rodriguez's 33%.

Melquizael Costa was the older man by 1 year, at 28 years old.

Costa had a height advantage of 3 inches over Rodriguez.

Costa was arguably the more experienced fighter, having had 15 more fights, and made his debut in 2014, 11 years and 1 month later than Rodriguez, whose first professional fight was in . He had fought 34 more professional rounds, 66 to Rodriguez's 32.

Costa vs Rodriguez form

Melquizael Costa had beaten 3 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight before this contest, he had won 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 beaten 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 lost to 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 defeated 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 been beaten by Thiago Moises at UFC 283 on 21st January 2023 by submission in the 2nd round at Jeunesse Arena, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Christian Rodriguez had beaten 4 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he was victorious against Austin Bashi at UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Ribas 2 on 11th January 2025 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at UFC Apex, Las Vegas, United States.

Previous to that, he had been defeated by Julian Erosa at UFC Fight Night: Namajunas vs. Cortez on 13th July 2024 by submission in the 1st round at Ball Arena, Denver.

Going into that contest, he had won against Isaac Dulgarian at UFC Fight Night: Tuivasa vs. Tybura on 16th March 2024 by split decision in their 3 round contest at UFC Apex, Las Vegas.

Before that, he had beaten Cameron Saaiman at UFC Fight Night – Yusuff vs Barboza on 14th October 2023 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at UFC Apex, Las Vegas.

He had defeated Raul Rosas Jr. at UFC 287 on 8th April 2023 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Miami-Dade Arena, Miami.

Activity check

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

Going to this contest, Melquizael Costa had last fought 2 months and 9 days ago, while Christian Rodriguez's last outing had been 3 months and 20 days ago.

Costa's last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 3 months and 10 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 5 months and 15 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 11 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.2 rounds on average.

Rodriguez's last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years and 23 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 4 months and 30 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 13 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.6 rounds on average.

What time did Costa vs Rodriguez start?

The fighters were expected to walk out at around 9:40 PM UTC , which was 5:40 PM EST or 2:40 PM PST on the West Coast of America, or 9:40 PM GMT in the UK.

What were the odds on Costa vs Rodriguez?

Melquizael Costa was a 9/5 (+180) underdog going into the contest, while Christian Rodriguez made his way into the ring at 9/20 (-220) with oddsmakers.