The main card of UFC Vegas 106 this past Saturday kicked off with a fierce three-round battle between Julian Erosa and Melquizael Costa.
The event took place at the UFC Apex facility, headlined by a welterweight contest featuring former title challenger Gilbert Burns and promising contender Michael Morales.
Morales secured a decisive first-round knockout victory, which marked Burns` fourth consecutive loss and led to discussions about the Brazilian`s potential retirement from the sport.
Despite the main event result, it was the opening fight between Julian Erosa and Melquizael Costa that truly ignited the crowd. The two fighters delivered a spectacular performance that brought the limited number of fans in attendance to their feet.
Julian Erosa Reveals Severe Injuries Sustained in UFC Vegas 106 Bout
Melquizael Costa ultimately claimed the win via unanimous decision. Following the thrilling contest, both fighters were deservedly awarded an additional $50,000 bonus for earning `Fight of the Night` honors.
Costa himself overcame a painful injury during the bout, having severely split his toe midway through the fight. UFC President Dana White later shared graphic images of Costa`s injury after the event.
This victory extended the 28-year-old Costa`s impressive winning streak to four straight, positioning him closer to a potential spot among the ranked contenders in the featherweight division.
Now, just a few days after their memorable `Fight of the Night` war, Julian Erosa has shared details about the significant injuries he sustained during the intense contest.
In a post on his Instagram account, Erosa described his post-fight condition: “Definitely woke up feeling like a truck hit me. Hospital said I’ve got a broken orbital and small nose fracture.”
Erosa further commented on his experience during the fight: “Couldn’t see straight for the later half of the fight, but did my best to keep composure and try and get the job done. Came up short, but had so much fun last night!”
What`s Next for Melquizael Costa After His Impressive Performance?
With this notable win, `Melk Cauthy` is building significant momentum and will likely be looking for a step up in competition following his victory over `Juicy J` (Julian Erosa).
As he nears the top 15 ranking in the 145lb division, a matchup against a seasoned veteran like Alex Caceres could be a logical and exciting next challenge for the talented Brazilian prospect.
Alternatively, a clash between two rising talents such as Costa and William Gomis could also make for a highly anticipated bout, especially as Gomis looks to return to the win column after recently losing his own winning streak.
Gareth Pendleton