UFC Fight Night results: Melquizael Costa scores stunning knockout in Houston

It’s time to put some respect on Melquizael Costa’s name in the UFC featherweight division.

Costa (26-7) recorded his sixth straight victory Saturday at UFC Fight Night in Houston and did so in spectacular fashion at the Toyota Center by becoming the first fighter to finish veteran Dan Ige (19-11).

The 29-year-old Brazilian scored the sixth back kick in UFC history when he caught Ige ducking to avoid a potential punch that put him right in line for the kick. Referee Dan Miragliotta stepped in to stop the fight at 4:56 of the first round with Costa likely in the top 15 at 145 pounds.

“I told everyone this week, I just fought a legend,” Costa said. “No one could finish him and I said I was going to do it. I was able to do it.”

After Ige scored an early takedown, Costa quickly got back to his feet and began wearing down Ige in the clinch with knees to the body. From there, Costa showed off his full offensive chops by stunning Ige with a front kick to the face and going to the body with a variety of strikes that drove all the way to the finish.

Costa extended his winning streak that began after a second-round knockout loss to Steve Garcia in 2023. Of his six wins during his current run, four have come via stoppage.

After the fight, Costa called out a former two-time featherweight title challenger who was sitting in the Octagon.

“There’s a guy here that you all love and I love too,” Costa said. “Diego Lopes, let’s go.”

Ige, 34, from Hawaii, suffered his fifth loss in his last seven fights.