Melquizael Costa tells Jared Gordon he is "going to get beat up bad" at UFC 334
The Brazilian returns to lightweight to face New York's Gordon at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, and says he does not see the fight going to the scorecards.
Melquizael Costa has told Jared Gordon he is "going to get beat up bad" when they meet at UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday.
"I'm either going to knock him out or submit him," Costa told MMA Fighting. "I don't see this fight going to the scorecards. Somebody's going to pay for this, brother. Not somebody, Gordon. He's screwed, brother. Sorry, Gordon, but you're going to get beat up bad."
Costa, a 30-year-old Brazilian, returns to lightweight after six straight wins at featherweight, then a decision loss to Arnold Allen in May. Gordon, from New York, is on a two-fight skid, with losses to Rafa Garcia and Jim Miller.
Costa still had praise for his opponent. He called Gordon "a badass" with "heavy hands" and said he expects a war in Gordon's hometown: "I'm training to go out there and throw hands, to go to war with him."
If the fight ends quickly, Costa said he is ready to return at UFC 335 in December: "I'm already ready for December."
Gordon v Costa is listed on the early prelims, which start at 22:00 UK time on Saturday on UFC Fight Pass. Our UFC 334 UK start time guide has the full running order and how to watch.
Every UK fight result and what's next, every Friday. Get the free UK fight briefing
More MMA from Combat Sports UK
- Gable Steveson reportedly set to face Terrance Chatman at UFC 336 in Toronto
- Charles Oliveira asks Justin Gaethje "Are you gonna retire?" and says he is next in line
- Alex Pereira answers Adesanya: "I can lose this fight and that makes me stronger"
- Carlos Prates says Islam Makhachev is not ducking him, just "a little bit lazy"
The UK fight briefing
The stories, results and upcoming fights worth knowing. Every Friday.