Melquizael Costa capped off a tremendous 2025 with his fourth win of the year but none better than the vicious head kick knockout he delivered at UFC Vegas 112.
It didn’t take long for Costa to set up Morgan Charriere for the fight-finishing shot as the Brazilian got his opponent moving backwards towards the cage during an early exchange. A split second later, Costa uncorked a hellacious kick that reverberated off Charriere’s head and sent him crashing o the canvas in a heap.
The referee rushed in to stop the contest with the end coming at just 1:14 into the opening round. The win marked Costa’s fifth overall but fourth thus far in 2025 as he closes out the year with a perfect 4-0 record.
“Everybody in my hometown is watching me. I made it,” Costa said after his latest win. “This year, I’m working a lot. Maybe three fights for me [next year] is good.”
Replays showed that Charreire actually defended the head kick effectively with his hand up to block the shot but the sheer impact from Costa blasted right through and still connected flush to earn the knockout.
During 2025, Costa scored wins over Charreire, Andre Fili, Christian Rodriguez and Julia Erosa as he continues to make his climb up the featherweight ranks. His last loss came back in 2023 when he fell to Steve Garcia, who is storming through the 145-pound division himself with seven wins I a row overall.
With his latest win, Costa undoubtedly sets himself up for an even bigger year ahead in 2026, especially if he can keep producing highlight reel victories like he did on Saturday.
