Melquizael Costa

Melquizael Costa, known by the nickname "The Dalmatian," is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC featherweight division.

Born in Porto de Moz, in the Brazilian state of Pará, Costa began training in combat sports as a teenager, first taking up boxing before moving into Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai. He rose through Brazil’s competitive regional MMA scene, fighting for promotions such as Predator FC and the Legacy Fighting Alliance before earning a contract with the UFC.

He holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and has trained extensively in Muay Thai under coach João Emilio at Chute Boxe in Brazil, the gym where he has developed as a professional fighter.

Costa fights out of a southpaw stance and blends heavy-handed Muay Thai striking with a varied submission grappling game, mixing rear-naked chokes, guillotines and leg attacks with combination punching, kicks and flashier techniques like the spinning back kick. His willingness to press the action and hunt for finishes has made him a crowd-pleasing, action-oriented fighter inside the Octagon.

Before reaching the UFC, Costa won a regional featherweight title with Predator FC in Mexico. He signed with the UFC and made his promotional debut in January 2023, initially competing at lightweight before dropping to featherweight, the division in which he has built the bulk of his UFC career.

Costa lives with vitiligo, a skin condition that causes patches of skin to lose pigment, which he has had since childhood. Rather than hide the condition, he turned it into the source of his nickname and has become a visible advocate for vitiligo awareness, using his platform to encourage others with the condition to embrace their appearance. He is married with two children and has spoken about the lasting influence of his late older brother on his career and outlook.