Last Updated on February 19, 2026 by Pragjyoti Singh
29-year-old Melquizael Costa is rising right through the UFC featherweight division currently. The 25–7 fighter, who stands out due to his skin condition, is on a 5-fight win streak and could earn himself a spot as a risiing contender in the stacked 145 lbs ranking with a win against Dan Ige, whom he faces at UFC Houston.
Currently 6-2 in the UFC, Costa beat Morgan Charriere at UFC on ESPN 74, which also happened to be his first KO in the promotion, earning a shot at 14th-ranked Dan Ige.
‘The Dalmatian’ goes into the fight with bookies picking him as a -210 favorite against Ige, who will be looking to bounce back after a loss at UFC 318 against Patricio Pitbull.
What is Melquizael Costa’s ethnicity?
In the high-stakes world of the UFC, few fighters carry a story as visually and culturally striking as Melquizael Costa. The Featherweight has become a symbol of resilience, not just for his 5-fight win streak, but for how he represents his Black Brazilian heritage and his journey with vitiligo.
Born in Porto de Moz, Pará, Costa is a Brazilian with his lineage rooted in the deep Afro-Brazilian and indigenous traditions of the Amazon region.
The most recognizable aspect of Costa’s appearance is his vitiligo, an autoimmune condition that causes loss of skin pigment. For many, this has led to questions about his race, but for Melquizael, it is simply part of his “mark.”
“I started training but was very shy because I had been through a lot of discrimination since I was a kid, and that had messed up my mind,” said Costa.
By embracing the nickname “The Dalmatian,” Costa has reclaimed a term once used to bully him, turning it into a badge of honor.
‘Melk’ as he is also known as, started his MMA journey at a young age, mostly against the wishes of his family members.
“My family didn’t want me to keep fighting; nobody liked it,” he claimed. But it was his brother who, despite his family’s wishes and his own doubts, lent him support when he needed it the most. “My brother was the only one to support me and said he would help me, but I didn’t even know if that’s what I really wanted to do.”
The Brazilian has now come a long way since his initial days of struggle. Training at Chute Boxe (João Emilio team), Costa revealed in a UFC interview that he plans to get a shot at the title by the end of the year.
UFC Houston: Melquizael Costa vs. Dan Ige Odds and Fight Prediction
Reflecting the current run of form for both fighters, Costa is listed as a -210 favorite while Ige comes in as the underdog at +170.
The Xtreme Couture fighter, despite a loss in his last bout, could be the Brazilian’s toughest test of his career. The 34-year-old veteran stands at 5’7 and has a reach of 71 inches. Costa, on the other hand, is 5’10 with the same reach, which could potentially result in an interesting battle on their feet.
As per Tapology, only 16% of fans believe Ige could win, with a whopping 84% backing Costa to get his hands raised on fight night.
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