Like most up-and-coming fighters, Alessandro Costa envisions himself changing into UFC champion. Nevertheless, that dream is beginning to turn into slightly extra actual for the Brazilian.
Costa (13-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) returns to the octagon this Saturday at UFC 301, a card headlined by Steve Erceg, the person who he final fought. Erceg is difficult champion Alexandre Pantoja for his UFC flyweight title. Costa can’t assist however assume the place he’d be if the intently contested bout in opposition to Erceg again in November would’ve gone slightly otherwise.
“If I might’ve received, possibly I’d be preventing for the title,” Costa advised MMA Junkie in Spanish. “Pantoja already beat everybody beneath him within the rankings. He already fought everybody. So probably, if I might’ve crushed Steve, I might’ve taken his spot within the rankings, and possibly I might be preventing for the title. I did give it some thought and thought it was attention-grabbing.
“I see myself preventing for the title, however with what simply occurred and seeing Steve up there preventing for the title, I’ve much more confidence that I can get there. I see a title battle loads nearer now.”
Costa misplaced a detailed unanimous choice 29-28 on all scorecards in favor of Erceg again at UFC 295. His bout in opposition to Peru’s Kevin Borjas (9-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) this Saturday would be the first battle since. In the meantime, Erceg went on to battle as soon as once more, knocking out Matt Schnell in March earlier than getting the title shot at UFC 301.
The 28-year-old Costa is worked up to see how the principle occasion performs out. He favors Pantoja however thinks Erceg has a stable probability of pulling off an upset.
So far as his personal battle, Costa is worked up to step within the octagon. The Brazilian, who lives and trains out of Mexico, can be preventing professionally in his native nation for the very first time.
“I assumed I might really feel strain when my supervisor, Jason (Home), advised me that I used to be preventing in Brazil as a result of I might be preventing at dwelling in opposition to an opponent from one other nation, however the fact is that I really feel superb,” Costa stated. “I believe it’s due to my expertise, having fought somebody from the rankings and other people forward of me. Additionally, I’ve been alongside Diego, who fought at UFC 300 – a historic occasion. I believe these issues have helped me stay calm.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 301.
Try the Hablemos MMA YouTube channel for Spanish-language movies and interviews with MMA Junkie’s Danny Segura.
Make sure you go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of blended martial arts.
