The main card opener of UFC Vegas 106 may have snapped the five-finish streak the card was running on during the prelims, but it made up for it with a back-and-forth battle that saw Melquizael Costa score a decision over Julian Erosa.
The fight was a whirlwind from the very beginning, with Costa's kicks and strike precision were on display, including a head kick that could have finished things in the opening round. Erosa, however, managed to turn things around with clinch work and his own pressure.
Costa rocked Erosa early in the second round with a one-two, but Erosa managed to survive the Brazilian's storm. Erosa then returned fire with spinning attacks and a flurry to close the round strong, doing his own damage to Costa in the process.
The two men laid everything down in the final round, with both men landing counters, while Costa looked to keep pressure. From backfists and elbows, to takedowns and a flying knee -- nothing was off limits.
Ultimately, Costa came away with the decision win, with 29-28 scores on all three judges' cards in a fight that could have fallen either way.
Melquizael Costa Beats Julian Erosa In Entertaining UFC Vegas 106 Main Card Opener
Costa has now won four straight fights and is 5-2 in the Octagon since joining the UFC at the start of 2023.
Erosa sees a three-fight win streak snapped with this loss. He took this fight on short notice, having just fought a month ago at UFC 314 -- where he scored a first-round finish of Darren Elkins.