Alessandro Costa so happy with Amir Albazi matchup, he 'cannot feel the pressure' before UFC Fight Night 216

LAS VEGAS – Alessandro Costa will get a big opportunity in his debut at UFC Fight Night 216.

Costa (12-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) was victorious in his Dana White’s Contender Series appearance in July, but it wasn’t enough to earn him a UFC contract. One knockout later, which came in 12 seconds, and Costa got the call.

He will step in on short notice to face ranked flyweight Amir Albazi (15-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) on Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 216 main card. It’s a big spot for the 26-year-old Brazilian, but he’s stoked for the chance to make waves right off the bat.

“I am so happy that I cannot feel the pressure,” Costa told MMA Junkie and other reporters through an interpreter at UFC Fight Night 216 media day on Wednesday. “I’m going to debut in the UFC on the main card against a top-eight (fighter). It’s so much happiness that it doesn’t even give weight to pressure.”

He continued, “First when I saw his name then went to Sherdog to look at his record, I was like, ‘Damn!’ But that’s kind of the end of the year gift I could get, right?”

UFC Fight Night 216 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex. The card streams on ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 216.