After winning all four fights last year, Melquizael Costa looks to make it six wins in a row on Saturday's UFC Fight Night card against the battle-tested veteran Dan Ige — who is in danger of falling out of the featherweight Top 15 if he suffers another loss.
UFC odds have Costa as a -215 favorite, and my Ige vs. Costa predictions agree with the books.
Dan Ige vs Melquizael Costa prediction and best bet
- My fight prediction: Costa moneyline (-215 at BET99)
- My best bet: Costa by decision (-125 at BET99)
Fight analysis
Melquizael Costa has won his last five fights and is showing the type of dynamic skills that signal he’s a legitimate contender at featherweight.
However, he'll be tested by the division’s resident truthmaker in Dan Ige, but Ige is starting to show the wear of a long career.
Costa’s recent run has demonstrated he's coming into his own. His grappling and submission game is undoubtedly his primary weapon, but he’s demonstrated improved striking to round out his game and continue his hot streak.
Costa is coming off a head-kick-induced stoppage of Morgan Charriere in his last fight and has plenty of momentum behind him, and he’ll need to measure his energy against the durable and well-conditioned Ige.
Ige is a division mainstay who is good enough to beat the unworthy, but he’s starting to fade after a long career full of grueling fights.
A technical striker with excellent boxing skills and some back-pocket wrestling for defense, Ige does his best when he can effectively pressure his opponents and keep the fight standing.
If he hits the ground or can’t get into a striking rhythm, he’ll likely lose the fight. Ige is coming off a decision loss to Patricio Pitbull, where he was taken down five times and was fighting to Pitbull’s beat.
In most cases, Ige always has a chance to win because he’s a skilled striker, but he’s slowing down and cannot defend takedowns. Costa may not be as refined on his feet as Ige, but he can make things hard for him by mixing up his attack and using his athleticism to put Ige on the mat and slow him down on the feet.
Best bet analysis
Though Costa is an aggressive submission artist and averages nine minutes of fight time in the UFC, Ige is durable and hard to stop.
He may get put on the mat, but he can defend himself well when he gets there and often finds his way back on his feet. Costa will outhustle the aging Ige, but won’t stop him.
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Dan Ige vs Melquizael Costa odds
 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Method of Victory | Ige | Costa |
| To win outright | +170 | -215 |
| To win by KO/TKO | +440 | +950 |
| To win by decision | +440 | -150 |
| To win by submission | +1550 | +1350 |
| Draw | +5000 | +5000 |
Odds as of 2-19.
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Dan Ige vs Melquizael Costa tale of the tape
| Ige | Costa | |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Age | 29 |
| 5-foot-7 | Height | 5-foot-10 |
| Featherweight | Weight Class | Featherweight |
| 71 inches | Reach | 71 inches |
| 19-10 | Record | 25-7 |
| 7 | Wins by KO | 8 |
| 5 | Wins by submission | 8 |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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