Melquizael Costa and Shaylan Nurdambieque at the weigh-in for UFC Las Vegas 93. Credit: Youtube/UFC
Featherweights Melquizael Costa and Shaylan Nueldanbieque will compete in the second bout at UFC Las Vegas 93 on Saturday, with the China-based Nueldanbieque coming into the bout with 50 professional fights under his belt.
That experience was on display early on when the five-fight UFC veteran got a clean takedown of Costa in the middle of the Octagon. Off his back, Costa went for a kimura, but instead of trying to escape, he went for the sub, which paid off and Nuel Danvierke was back in control. That’s how the majority of the round played out, with Nuel Danvierke’s pressure superb and Costa unable to get the sub off his back.
The second round started with Nuerdambieque taking Costa down early again. Costa scrambled a little quicker this time and got into a three-point stance. Nuerdambieque got in a body lock and nearly climbed onto his back. When they both went down, this time Costa was on top. The round was much better, with Costa maintaining the advantage even as Nuerdambieque recovered and dragged his opponent down again. But Nuerdambieque reversed and got on top, forcing Costa to attempt a weak triangle choke.
The fight remained uncertain in the third round, with Nuel Dambieque shifting his body position for a takedown and narrowly avoiding a kick. Costa attempted another takedown but was blocked, then used a failed single-leg attempt to get on top. Nuel Dambieque dropped to his knees, giving way to his back, and Costa fired off hooks. Far from the fence, Costa spent three and a half minutes working on a rear-naked choke. He didn’t quite land it under the chin, but it didn’t matter as an exhausted Nuel Dambieque quickly tapped out.
With the win, Costa improved his promotion record to 2 wins and 2 losses.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Melquizael Costa defeats Shaylan Nurdanbieque via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 1:50
