Melk Costa already has a target in mind for his next challenge, now in the UFC lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg). In an exclusive interview with SUPER LUTAS , during the coverage of Bison Kombat 8 , the Chute Boxe athlete revealed that he would like to face a Mexican fighter, a newcomer to the category's ranking, although he is open to facing opponents outside the top 15.
Not hiding his excitement about the possibility, 'The Dalmatian' stated that Rafa Garcia is one of the opponents who most interests him in the category, although he acknowledges that he doesn't yet know if his next fight will be against a ranked athlete. The Brazilian is seeking his first challenge since moving up a weight class.
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“A guy I’ve been considering fighting for a long time is Rafa Garcia . It’s cool that he’s entered the rankings now. I don’t know if my next fight will be ranked, maybe not, but I’m excited. He’s a very tough guy, a fierce Mexican, a fight that really excites me,” Melk revealed.
The Chute Boxe representative also commented on the decision to begin a new journey in the lightweight division. After building his career in the featherweight division (up to 65,7 kg), the Brazilian sees the change as an opportunity to restart his climb to the top.
“I believe I had already made history at featherweight. Now it’s a new one. It could be against a ranked fighter or not. I just want to get there and work hard,” he stated.
The statements show that Melk prioritizes activity and development within the organization. Even though he's interested in facing Rafa Garcia , the Brazilian assures he's willing to accept any challenge that brings him closer to the elite of the lightweight division.
Melk Costa's UFC history
Melk Costa promotes UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC
Melk debuted in the UFC in 2023, accepting a last-minute fight against Thiago Moisés in the lightweight division, but ended up losing. He then returned to featherweight, secured his first victory in the organization against Austin Lingo, and after suffering another defeat against Steve Garcia , strung together a streak of six consecutive wins.
During the streak, the Brazilian defeated Christian Rodriguez , Morgan Charriere , and Dan Ige , among other opponents, demonstrating versatility by securing two victories via submission, two by judges' decision, and two by knockout. This performance solidified his position as one of the fastest-rising Brazilian fighters in the UFC and guaranteed his entry into the featherweight rankings.
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