Alessandro Costa Scores Massive UFC Bonus with Planned TKO

Brazilian flyweight's latest post-fight bonus is worth double his previous wins.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:10pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors capturing the explosive power and energy of a UFC fighter landing a devastating body strike.A neon-hued depiction of the decisive body shot that earned Alessandro Costa a massive UFC bonus and continued his streak of exciting finishes.Las Vegas Today

Alessandro Costa earned a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus at UFC Fight Night 272 in Las Vegas after knocking out Stewart Nicoll with a brutal liver shot. Costa revealed the knockout punch was part of the game plan he worked on with his coach throughout his training camp.

Why it matters

Costa has now earned post-fight bonuses in all three of his UFC victories, demonstrating his ability to deliver exciting finishes that resonate with fans. The significant increase in his latest bonus payout will allow him to further support his family.

The details

In the prelims bout at the Meta APEX, Costa (15-5 MMA, 3-3 UFC) landed a perfectly placed body shot that dropped Nicoll (8-3 MMA, 0-3 UFC) for the TKO win. Costa said this strike was something he and his coach had specifically trained for, emphasizing the importance of footwork and movement in setting up the decisive blow.

  • Costa earned his first two UFC bonuses in 2023 and 2024.
  • His latest $100,000 bonus came at UFC Fight Night 272 on April 7, 2026.

The players

Alessandro Costa

A 30-year-old Brazilian flyweight fighter in the UFC with a 15-5 professional record and three UFC wins, all of which have earned him post-fight bonuses.

Stewart Nicoll

A UFC flyweight fighter with an 8-3 professional record who was defeated by Costa via TKO at UFC Fight Night 272.

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What they’re saying

“That was something we worked on throughout the camp. My coach is always stressing this: You need to move around, you need to use your footwork. It's something we're always going to improve in our training. What you saw tonight was exactly what we planned.”

— Alessandro Costa, UFC Fighter

What’s next

Costa will look to continue his streak of post-fight bonus wins as he aims to climb the flyweight rankings and potentially earn a title shot.

The takeaway

Costa's ability to execute a precise game plan and deliver highlight-reel finishes has made him a must-watch fighter in the UFC. His latest bonus payout will go a long way in supporting his family, demonstrating the life-changing impact that performance-based incentives can have for athletes.