UFC Fighter Melk Costa Criticized by Alex Pereira Over Jones Prediction

Pereira calls out Costa for doubting his chances against Jones and bringing up past tensions between the two fighters.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:33pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the intense action and energy of a UFC fight between two elite fighters, with sharp planes of color and overlapping perspectives.A cubist interpretation of a hypothetical UFC superfight between two of the sport's all-time greats, Alex Pereira and Jon Jones.Las Vegas Today

UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira has fired back at fellow Brazilian fighter Melquizael 'The Dalmatian' Costa after Costa predicted that Jon Jones would defeat Pereira in a hypothetical fight between the two MMA superstars. Pereira took issue with Costa's comments, bringing up past tensions between the two fighters and accusing Costa of being 'the almighty' after only recently winning a couple fights in the UFC.

Why it matters

This back-and-forth between two top Brazilian UFC fighters highlights the intense rivalries and competitiveness within the sport of MMA. Pereira, the reigning middleweight champion, is clearly sensitive to any doubts about his abilities, even from a fellow countryman like Costa. The exchange also sheds light on the personal relationships and histories between fighters that can add extra drama and animosity to their interactions.

The details

In an Instagram post, Costa wrote that if a fight were to happen between Pereira and Jon Jones, he believes Jones would win, calling it a fight between 'two GOATs.' Pereira fired back, accusing Costa of previously sticking a camera in his face without permission when they were both at a hotel, and claiming that Costa had been 'crying' after a previous fight loss that Pereira had supported him through. Pereira then challenged Costa to a grappling match, though Costa quickly withdrew the offer, likely due to his upcoming UFC main event fight against Arnold Allen.

  • In April 2026, Melquizael Costa predicted that Jon Jones would defeat Alex Pereira in a hypothetical fight.
  • Pereira responded to Costa's prediction in an Instagram post shortly after.

The players

Alex Pereira

The reigning UFC middleweight champion, known for his striking skills and intimidating presence in the Octagon.

Melquizael 'The Dalmatian' Costa

A Brazilian UFC fighter who is set to headline UFC Vegas 117 against Arnold Allen in May 2026.

Jon Jones

A former UFC light heavyweight champion widely considered one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Never ask me a question thinking I will stay on top of the wall. If this fight happens it will be two Goats fighting, the best striker vs the best grappling. And yeah I think JJ would win.”

— Melquizael Costa, UFC Fighter

“Bro you root for whoever you want and it's all right! F--ked up is saying something you don't even know and as if I did something to you.”

— Alex Pereira, UFC Middleweight Champion

What’s next

It remains to be seen if Pereira and Costa will actually settle their differences in the Octagon, or if this will just remain a war of words between the two Brazilian fighters.

The takeaway

This exchange highlights the intense rivalries and personal tensions that can exist between top fighters in the UFC, even among fellow countrymen. Pereira's strong reaction to Costa's prediction shows how sensitive champions can be to any perceived doubts about their abilities, underscoring the high-stakes and competitive nature of elite MMA.