Costa vows to finish Gordon 'bad' at UFC 334 as he debuts at lightweight in New York

Melquizael Costa arrives at Madison Square Garden for UFC 334 this Saturday with a new weight class, renewed confidence, and a blunt message for Jared Gordon: the veteran is “going to get beat up bad.”

Costa, who went 6-0 at featherweight before dropping a decision to Arnold Allen in May — a run that included finishes over Dan Ige, Morgan Charriere and Andre Fili — has moved up to lightweight and insists the division change will unlock a better version of himself inside the octagon.

“I’m either going to knock him out or submit him, man,” 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.”

Gordon, a New York native, has spent nearly a decade in the UFC and owns 9 wins from 18 octagon appearances, but enters the bout on a two-fight losing skid against Rafa Garcia and Jim Miller. Costa is wary of dismissing him, however, acknowledging the crowd factor and the danger a seasoned veteran carries.

“He’s a very dangerous guy,” Costa said. “I see a lot of people saying the UFC gave me a gift, but I think the UFC gave me a high-level fight. Jared Gordon is a badass. He’s got very heavy hands and mixes things up really well with his ground game. If you look at the veterans out there, those guys are teaching lessons. I’m training to go out there and throw hands, to go to war with him — especially because he’s fighting in his hometown.”

Fighting at 155 pounds is not unfamiliar territory for the Brazilian. Costa competed at lightweight throughout much of his pre-UFC career and has also faced opponents at that weight inside the octagon before, making his official divisional debut feel less like a leap into the unknown and more like a homecoming.

“I built my career at lightweight,” he said. “Nothing that’s going to happen will surprise me. You guys will be surprised. I was a lightweight fighting at featherweight. That’s the truth. I was suffering way too much. Now I’m going to show up in great shape, and my weight cut will be much more manageable.”

With the weight issue resolved, Costa is already planning a rapid return. Should the Gordon fight end early, he has his eye on UFC 335 in December at T-Mobile Arena to close out the year with a second win in as many months.

“I’m already thinking big,” he said. “If the fight ends quickly, I’m already ready for December. I want to work, brother.”