Dan Ige vs. Melquizael Costa prediction, odds, pick for UFC Houston

UFC Houston is reaching a fever pitch as we bring you one other betting prediction and pick for this next Essential Card bout within the Featherweight (145) Division. Xtreme Couture’s own No. 14 Dan Ige will tackle Brazilian standout prospect Melquizael Costa in what needs to be a terrific fight. Check our UFC odds series for the Ige-Costa prediction and pick.

Dan Ige (19-10) has gone 11-9 since joining the UFC roster back in 2018. He hasn’t been capable of find much consistency up so far and after recently going 3-1, he’s 1-3 in his 4 fights leading as much as this bout. He’ll look to rebound from his last loss because the slight underdog on this one. Ige stands 5-foot-7 with a 71-inch reach.

Melquizael Costa (25-7) is 6-2 contained in the UFC since 2023. Following a rocky 1-2 begin to his UFC tenure, Costa has found his groove with five-straight wins heading into this fight. Three of those wins ended inside the space and he’ll be searching for one other exciting finish on this one. Costa stands 5-foot-10 with a 71-inch reach.

UFC Houston Odds, courtesy of DraftKings. 

UFC Houston Odds: Dan Ige-Melquizael Costa Odds

Dan Ige: +170

Melquizael Costa: -205

Over 2.5 rounds: -298

Under 2.5 rounds: +220

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Why Dan Ige Will Win

• Last Fight: (L) Patricio Pitbull – U DEC 
• Last 5: 2-3
• Finishes: 7 KO/TKO, 5 SUB

Dan Ige drew one of the best version of Patricio Pitbull during his last outing, barely falling behind on the striking numbers and allowing Pitbull to have the more damaged exchanges come from his end. Ige was also dominated within the wrestling in surrendering five of Pitbull’s nine takedown attempts. It’s definitely a fight where Ige heads back to the drafting board with coach Eric Nicksick as they struggle to work out a brand new strategy for this versatile opponent.

Dan Ige doesn’t lack the boxing vital to achieve success because the underdog here, but he’ll definitely should sustain with the speed and quick movements from his opponent. Typically, Ige is normally sound together with his wrestling defense, so expect significant improvements on that front this time around. Don’t expect Costa to aim many takedowns if Ige is willing to fulfill him in the middle of the cage and exchange strikes.

To win this fight, head movement and consistency shall be key for Ige to win this bout. Costa is an especially durable opponent who shall be tough to place away on a winning streak, so Ige should look to maintain his pressure high and continuously remain in Costa’s space to maintain him guessing from a striking standpoint.

Why Melquizael Costa Will Win

• Last Fight: (W) Morgan Charriere – KO (head kick, R1)
• Last 5: 5-0
• Finishes: 8 KO/TKO, 8 SUB

Melquizael Costa met one other rising prospect in Morgan Charriere, putting him away in the primary round with a picturesque head kick in the primary round. Costa come into the UFC an already exciting prospect with an expanding skill set, but he’s truly grown right into a menace inside the division with all of the ways he can hurt opponents. He’ll search for his sixth-straight victory and a probable rating next to his name if he can pull out a win.

Costa is dangerous in all places on the subject of striking, not discriminating between his punches and kicks when standing across from someone. He throws all his strikes with blistering speed and is a troublesome kickboxer to maintain pace with, so expect a quick start as Costa tries to earn the respect of Ige early.

On the bottom, Costa can be a dangerous submission artist and will see success there given Ige’s last bout where he allowed five takedowns. Costa is significantly better together with his submission grappling than Ige’s previous opponent, so expect that to be a powerful a part of his game plan if he desires to dominate this bout in all realms.

Final Dan Ige-Melquizael Costa Prediction & Pick

Dan Ige is incapable of a boring fight and he’ll be tasked with one other willing dance partner in Melquizael Costa during this one. Dan Ige is the seasoned veteran in this example and has probably the greatest coaches in the game training him, so expect him to return into this fight with a longtime game plan and executing things to a tee.

Melquizael Costa, nevertheless, has been substantially improving over his last five fights and this current winning streak has to have his confidence through the roof. If he’s capable of remain composed while still keeping his striking energetic, he should find a way to cruise towards a call victory without much adversity.

For our final pick, we’ll roll with the betting favorite in Melquizael Costa to win as each fighters needs to be durable enough to make all of it three rounds.

Final Dan Ige-Melquizael Costa Prediction & Pick: Melquizael Costa (-205); OVER 2.5 Rounds (-298)