Melquizael Costa explains how being a popsicle seller taught him not to ask for UFC White House fight
MMA Fighting
February 21, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Melquizael Costa, a rising star in the UFC featherweight division, reflects on his humble beginnings selling popsicles in Brazil and how those early lessons influence his approach to fighting. Now a professional athlete with five straight wins in the UFC, including a strong start to 2025 with four victories, Costa is preparing for a crucial bout against Dan Ige at UFC Houston. Despite the allure of fighting on the historic UFC White House card, Costa has set his sights on making himself a main event draw in Brazil, where he feels he can truly stand out.
Costa’s philosophy stems from his childhood experience as a popsicle seller. He learned that instead of following the crowd to schools during recess, he could find success by targeting less obvious opportunities. Similarly, while many fighters might渴望 a high-profile spot at the White House, Costa prefers to focus on building momentum in Brazil. His goal is to become the go-to name for future UFC Fight Night main events in his home country.
Looking ahead, Costa envisions fighting three times in 2026, with the ultimate aim of challenging for the
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Originally published on MMA Fighting on 2/21/2026