Melquizael Costa vs Jared Gordon Set for UFC 334 on November 14

Melquizael Costa and Jared Gordon are scheduled to meet at UFC 334 on November 14, a new addition to the card.

Costa, a 30-year-old Brazilian fighting out of Chute Boxe Joao Emilio, enters with a 26-8 record and sits at number 13 in the featherweight rankings. Nicknamed "Melk Cauthy," the southpaw stands five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach. He lands 4.29 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy, and he averages 1.53 takedowns and 0.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes, a sign of a fighter who mixes his offense across ranges.

Gordon, a 38-year-old American who trains with Kill Cliff FC, brings a 21-9 record into the bout. "Flash" is an orthodox fighter listed at five-foot-nine with a 68-inch reach. His striking output is the higher of the two: 5.64 significant strikes landed per minute at 53 percent accuracy. He also averages 1.78 takedowns per 15 minutes, though he has no recorded submission attempts per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• Costa holds a ranked position at 145 pounds, so a win over a veteran like Gordon would strengthen his case as he works to move up the featherweight ladder.
• The matchup pairs Costa's southpaw stance and reach advantage of three inches against Gordon's higher strike volume and accuracy.
• Both men carry grappling credentials, with Gordon's takedown rate slightly ahead of Costa's, which could make positional battles a factor.
• The age gap of eight years adds another layer, setting a 30-year-old contender against a 38-year-old veteran.

UFC 334 takes place on November 14.