Andre Fili and Melquizael Costa, UFC Seattle ceremonial weigh-in Credit score: Gabriel Gonzalez/Cageside Press
By way of age and high-level expertise, 34-year previous Andre Fili was the apparent “old lion,” or just veteran fighter, in his featherweight match-up at UFC Seattle reverse Melquizael Costa.
The 28-year previous Costa, nevertheless, was nearing 30 professional fights himself, and each fighters had been coming off wins of their final outing that they little doubt hoped to transform to a modest win streak.
Each males got here out aggressive, assembly within the heart of the octagon. Close to the three minute mark, Fili landed a glancing head kick that narrowly missed its goal. Costa started to circle away on the skin throwing kicks to the legs and physique of Fili. A properly timed takedown by Fili noticed him find yourself on prime, however Costa slipped an arm round his neck and secured a guillotine choke.
Struggling to get to his toes from half guard, Fili felt immense stress on his neck and was pressured to faucet from the submission. That made it back-to-back submission wins for the younger prospect Melquizael Costa, who has proven his expertise and potential for the long run. Fili seemed distraught following the loss and was combating very competitively earlier than getting completed.
Costa mentioned that it was an honor to combat Andre Fili; he mentioned as a toddler he watched Fili combat former featherweight champion Max Holloway and had super respect for him. This was by far the most important win of Costa’s profession, UFC or in any other case.
Official End result: Melquizael Costa def. Andre Fili by submission (guillotine choke), Spherical 1, 4:30
