Like most up-and-coming fighters, Alessandro Costa envisions himself turning into UFC champion. Nevertheless, that dream is beginning to develop into a bit 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 carefully contested bout in opposition to Erceg again in November would’ve gone a bit otherwise.
“If I might’ve gained, perhaps I’d be combating for the title,” Costa informed MMA Junkie in Spanish. “Pantoja already beat everybody beneath him within the rankings. He already fought everybody. So presumably, if I might’ve crushed Steve, I might’ve taken his spot within the rankings, and perhaps I might be combating for the title. I did give it some thought and thought it was attention-grabbing.
“I see myself combating for the title, however with what simply occurred and seeing Steve up there combating for the title, I’ve much more confidence that I can get there. I see a title struggle lots nearer now.”
Costa misplaced an in depth unanimous resolution 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 struggle since. In the meantime, Erceg went on to struggle 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 strong probability of pulling off an upset.
So far as his personal struggle, Costa is worked up to step within the octagon. The Brazilian, who lives and trains out of Mexico, will likely be combating professionally in his native nation for the very first time.
“I believed I might really feel strain when my supervisor, Jason (Home), informed me that I used to be combating in Brazil as a result of I might be combating at dwelling in opposition to an opponent from one other nation, however the reality is that I really feel superb,” Costa mentioned. “I believe it’s due to my expertise, having fought somebody from the rankings and folks 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.”
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