If there was ever a way to arrive on the world stage, Melquizael Costa found it in Houston. When Costa sent Dan Ige sprawling with a spinning back kick and polished him off before the first horn sounded. Until last night, nobody had ever finished Dan Ige. Not a soul in twenty-six previous outings. Costa didn’t just beat him, he laid him out, and now there’s no question he’s earned a shot at some of the division’s most respected names.
Costa, known as “The Dalmatian,” put a stamp on his sixth consecutive win and then grabbed the mic to tell the country who he wanted next: Diego Lopes. “There is a guy here that you all love… Diego Lopes, let’s go at it.” It didn’t sound like a polite request.
Jacobe Smith’s night got just as much attention, but not all for the reasons he’d hoped. Smith bulldozed Josiah Harrell with takedowns and ground-and-pound inside the opening round, knocking Harrell out cold at 3:01. The referee, Kerry Hatley, weaved into controversy, waiting as Harrell took shot after shot while unconscious. Fans and fighters online blasted the late stoppage, but nothing could take away from Smith’s raw dominance or the record. The former All-American is now 12-0 and said he’s ready for a bigger stage. He immediately called out Kevin Holland, ready to swap fists with the seasoned welterweight.
For Harrell, questions linger about what comes next after taking the bout on short notice, especially after returning from an ordeal most athletes never face, a rare brain disease and major surgery less than two years ago.
Other main card results saw Sean Strickland stop Anthony Hernandez with a knee and follow-up strikes in round three to hang onto his slot near the top of the middleweight pack. Serghei Spivac took a decision from Ante Delija after three grinding rounds, and Michel Pereira just barely edged out Zachary Reese by split call.
UFC Houston Scores and Results:
Main Card
- Sean Strickland def. Anthony Hernandez by TKO (knee and strikes), 2:33 of Round 3
- Melquizael Costa def. Dan Ige by TKO (spinning back kick and punches), 4:56 of Round 1
- Serghei Spivac def. Ante Delija by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Michel Pereira def. Zachary Reese by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
- Jacobe Smith def. Josiah Harrell by KO (strikes), 3:01 of Round 1
Prelims
- Carlos Leal def. Chidi Njokuani by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Alibi Idiris def. Ode’ Osbourne by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Alden Coria def. Luis Gurule by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Joselyne Edwards def. Nora Cornolle by submission (rear-naked choke), 2:24 of Round 2
- Punahele Soriano def. Ramiz Brahimaj by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani def. Phil Rowe by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Jordan Leavitt def. Yadier del Valle by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Carli Judice def. Juliana Miller by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Costa and Smith walked out of Houston looking like men ready for the next big thing. Now it’s up to the UFC to answer their call.
