Alessandro Costa will step in as a replacement opponent to face Matt Schnell at UFC Vegas 118 on June 6. The bout will take place at a 130-pound catchweight after the original opponent, Imanol Rodriguez, was forced out.
Alessandro Costa will step in on short notice to face Matt Schnell at UFC Vegas 118 on June 6, replacing Imanol Rodriguez, who was forced off the card. The two will compete at a 130-pound catchweight.
Costa, known as "Nono," carries a 15-5 record into the bout. The 30-year-old Brazilian trains out of Lobo Gym MMA and stands five-foot-four with a 67-inch reach. Fighting out of an orthodox stance, he lands 3.73 significant strikes per minute at 45 percent accuracy and supplements his striking with occasional takedown attempts, averaging 0.79 per 15 minutes.
Schnell, nicknamed "Danger," brings a 17-10 record and represents Fortis MMA out of the United States. The 36-year-old stands five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach and produces an active striking output of 4.07 significant strikes per minute. He is particularly dangerous on the ground, averaging 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, which ranks among the more prolific rates in the flyweight division.
Rodriguez, the original opponent, entered the matchup undefeated at 7-0, making him one of the more intriguing prospects on the card before his withdrawal. The 26-year-old had posted an eye-catching 5.71 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy in his career to date.
Why it matters
- Costa steps in on short notice, giving Schnell a reshuffled preparation heading into fight week
- The 130-pound catchweight setting means neither fighter competes under standard flyweight divisional stakes
- Schnell's submission volume against Costa's takedown defense shapes up as a key stylistic question on the ground
- Rodriguez's unbeaten record keeps him a name to watch once a new opponent or date is arranged
