Jean Silva want to face Alexander Volkanovsky for the UFC belt. Photo: SUPER LUTAS montage
Melk Costa He has already charted the path he intends to follow towards the UFC featherweight (up to 65,7kg) title, and, interestingly, the success of Jean Silva It's a key piece in this plan. After knocking out Dan Ige At UFC Houston, held last Saturday (21), the 'Dalmatian' secured 13th place in the category ranking and entered the title race. Before reaching the top, however, the Brazilian admits that he hopes to see 'Lord' overcome the current champion. Alexander Volkanovsky.
In an exclusive interview with SUPER LUTAS, Melk Costa revealed that he is interested in facing Jean Silva in the near future and that his compatriot figures as his next target after a possible confrontation against Diego lopesThe featherweight also stated that he hopes 'Lord' gets the opportunity to fight for the belt before other names in the division and manages to win the title, a scenario that, in his view, would make his own path easier.
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“Man, I really want to fight Jean. Actually, Jean is my next target after Diego. I'm going to beat up his father before I beat him up. I'm really hoping he fights Volkanovski, jumps the queue, and wins the belt. Then it'll be easy for me to be champion by the end of the year,” he said. Melk Costa.
Melk also highlighted that he believes in the chances of Jean Silva Against Volkanovski, mainly because of the knockout power he possesses. Despite acknowledging the Australian champion's high fight IQ, especially in how he cuts angles and controls distance, the Brazilian pointed out that a well-placed punch could be enough to decide the fight in favor of his compatriot.
“I want him to succeed, and I think he will succeed, because he knows how to talk well, he knows how to sell the fight well. And he has a chance to beat Volkanovski. He has a very heavy hand. Volkanovski doesn't have a chin that's all that great. Volkanovski has a fight IQ… the best fight IQ in the category, in the UFC, belongs to Volkanovski. He can cut angles and everything. But Jean has a single weapon that can work, which is landing a punch, you know? So I'm going to root for that a lot, because then I'll hit the [fighter/fighter].” Diego lopes "And then I'll beat up Jean at the end of the year," the Dalmatian continued.
Melk Costa believes he is one fight away from challenging for the UFC belt.
Melk makes weight and confirms fight in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/X/UFC
Finally, the fighter considered that there are still athletes ahead of him in the race for the title, mentioning that the champion could face... Jean Silva or the winner of the duel between Movsar Evloev e Lerone murphyConfident, Melk reinforced that, after his next performance, he hopes to establish himself as the next challenger for the belt, regardless of who currently holds the title.
"But like I said: today there are many guys ahead of me. Actually, there are two guys ahead of me. Pantera is in this 'no fighting' phase, so I'm not going to put him in. But Volkanovski's options are..." Jean Silva "Or the winner of Evloev and Lerony Murphy. And after my next fight, I'm next. It could be Jean, it could be Volkanovski, it could be whoever… In the name of Jesus, it's next and it's the belt," Melquizael concluded.
Watch the knockout of Dan Ige at UFC Houston.
O MELK COSTA It's a dog's dick! You have to respect it, first knock out the very tough one. Dan IgeWow, that guy just made it to the top of the rankings! #UFCHouston pic.twitter.com/ott1kWL1ie
— Luiz Brownie (@luiz_ff92) February 22, 2026
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