The Stats Zone
February 22 2025, 00:22 · Rob Esteva
Updated February 23 2025, 00:41

Andre Fili vs Melquizael Costa at UFC Fight Night 252 | Preview & Prediction

Andre Fili vs Melquizael Costa at UFC Fight Night 252 | Preview & Prediction

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

The featherweights are next on the prelims as the super-experienced Andre Fili takes on Melquizael Costa in what should be a fascinating match-up

Andre Fili vs Melquizael Costa Facts

When is UFC Fight Night 252? UK – the preliminary card starts at 11:00pm on Saturday 22nd February 2025, followed by the main card at 2:00am (Sunday) / USA – 6:00pm/9:00pm ET and 3:00pm/6:00pm PT

Where is UFC Fight Night 252? Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, USA

Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 252? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 252

What TV channel is UFC Fight Night 252 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+

Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 252? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass

For viewers in the United States, UFC Fight Night 252 will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!

What time are Andre Fili and Melquizael Costa expected to walk out? 12:50am UK / Saturday 22nd February, 7:50pm US ET / 4:50pm US PT

UFC Fight Night 252 Main Card

Henry Cejudo vs Song Yandong (Bantamweight)

Brandon Allen vs Anthony Hernandez (Middleweight)

Rob Font vs Jean Matsumoto (Catchweight)

Jean Silva vs Melsik Baghdasaryan (Featherweight)

Alonzo Menifield vs Julius Walker (Light Heavyweight)

UFC Fight Night 252 Prelims

Ion Cutelaba vs Ibo Aslan (Light Heavyweight)

Andre Fili vs Melquizael Costa (Featherweight)

Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Nick Klein (Middleweight)

Ricky Simon vs Javid Basharat (Bantamweight)

Nikolay Veretennikov vs Austin Vanderford (catchweight)

Nursulton Ruziboev vs Eric McConico (Middleweight)

Modestas Bukauskas vs Raffael Cerqueira (Light Heavyweight)

Andre Fili: Brazilian coming of Fight of the Night display

Andre Fili (24-11 with one no contest) is looking to win successive fights for the first time since 2019 as he comes off a split decision win over Cub Swanson and UFC 303. He has been in the Octagon with some quality fighters over the years but the losses to the likes of Joanderson Brito and Bryce Mitchell show his limitations against some of the better fighters in the division.

Melquizael Costa: Melk looking for successive wins in UFC

Melquizael Costa (21-7) is hoping to win back-to-back fights in the UFC for the first time as he comes off a submission win over Nuerdanbieke Shayilan in June. That took his record in the UFC to .500 as he has won two and lost two since getting his shot. This represents a step in quality for him now and it will be interesting to see how he gets on.

Andre Fili vs Melquizael Costa Prediction

Melquizael Costa comes into this fight as the slight favourite but we are somewhat surprised that that is the case. He has a highly impressive record but that has largely been built outside of the UFC and he has lost two of his four fights in the Octagon so far.

Andre Fili is certainly in the twilight of his careers and has been involved in a good few wars over the years. There is every chance that he is starting to slow down and is not the force he once was but he is still technically really strong.

We like the value that Fili offers as the marginal underdog and think he is worth a small play here. We can also see this one going the distance but keep it safe and go straight up on the win.

Prediction: Andre Fili to win