UFC featherweight contender Melquizael Costa is leaving the 145-pound division and heading back to lightweight after revealing the toll of his weight cuts.
Costa, currently ranked No. 12 at featherweight, announced on social media that he will compete at 155 pounds going forward, citing the extreme cuts he has been making to stay in the division.
"It was a good run in this [division], but my body can’t handle cutting 22 kilos for each fight anymore," Costa said. He closed his announcement with a clear message: "Let’s go Lightweight."
Costa owns a 26-8 professional record and is 7-3 in the UFC. His résumé at featherweight includes victories over Dan Ige, Morgan Charriere, Julian Erosa, and Andre Fili, and he recently had a six-fight win streak snapped in a unanimous decision loss to Arnold Allen.
This will not be Costa’s first stint at 155 pounds in the UFC, as he has previously fought at lightweight, including two losses in the division to Thiago Moises and Steve Garcia.
