Garcia vs Costa

Who won Garcia vs Costa?

Steve Garcia beat Melquizael Costa by knockout in the 2nd round during the prelims of UFC Fight Night, on Saturday 9th December 2023 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

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).

Garcia vs Costa stats

Steve Garcia stepped into the octagon with a record of 14 wins, 5 losses and 0 draws, 11 of those wins coming by the way of knock out.

Melquizael Costa made his way to the cage with a record of 20 wins, 6 losses and 0 draws, 7 of those wins coming by knock out and 6 by submission.

Steve Garcia's UFC record stood at 4-2-0, while Melquizael Costa's came in at 1-2-0.

The stats suggested Garcia had a massive power advantage over Costa, boasting a 79% knock out percentage over Costa's 35%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Costa had a large advantage over Garcia, boasting a 30% submission rate over Garcia's 0%.

Steve Garcia was the older man by 4 years, at 31 years old.

Garcia had a height advantage of 2 inches over Costa.

Garcia was the less experienced professional fighter, having had 7 fewer fights, and made his debut in 2013, 10 months earlier than Costa, whose first professional fight was in 2014. He had fought 17 less professional rounds, 42 to Costa's 59.

Garcia vs Costa form

Steve Garcia had stopped 4 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight before this contest, he had won against Yilan Sha at UFC 287 on 8th April 2023 by knockout in the 2nd round at Miami-Dade Arena, Miami, United States.

Previous to that, he had beaten Chase Hooper at UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Allen on 29th October 2022 by knockout in the 1st round at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

Going into that contest, he had lost to Maheshate at UFC 275 on 11th June 2022 by knockout in the 1st round at Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore.

Before that, he had defeated Charlie Ontiveros at UFC Vegas 39 on 9th October 2021 by knockout in the 2nd round at UFC APEX, Las Vegas, United States.

He was victorious against Jose Mariscal at LFA 80 on 17th January 2020 by knockout in the 2nd round at Route 66 Casino Hotel, Albuquerque.

Activity check

Garcia's last 5 fights had come over a period of 4 years, 3 months and 16 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 10 months and 9 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 8 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 1.6 rounds on average.

Costa's last 4 fights had come over a period of 1 year, 11 months and 20 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 5 months and 29 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 11 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.8 rounds on average.

What were the odds on Garcia vs Costa?

Steve Garcia was a 21/10 (+210) underdog going into the contest, while Melquizael Costa made his way into the ring at 19/50 (-260) with oddsmakers.