UFC Fight Night: Alessandro Costa vs Stewart Nicoll Preview & Prediction
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Two flyweights collide on the fight night prelims, as the experienced Brazilian Alessandro Costa looks to end his recent skid against struggling UFC newcomer Stewart Nicoll.
Alessandro Costa vs Stewart Nicoll facts
What time are Alessandro Costa and Stewart Nicoll expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan? Meta Apex, Enterprise, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 270
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan main card
Renato Moicano vs Chris Duncan (Lightweight)
Virna Jandiroba vs Tabatha Ricci (Women’s Strawweight)
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev vs Brendson Ribeiro (Light Heavyweight)
Ethyn Ewing vs Rafael Estevam (Bantamweight)
Tommy McMillen vs Manolo Zecchini (Featherweight)
Jose Mauro Delano vs Robert Ruchala (Featherweight)
UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan prelims
Guilherme Pat vs Thomas Petersen (Heavyweight)
Alessandro Costa vs Stewart Nicoll (Flyweight)
Lando Vannata vs Darrius Flowers (Lightweight)
Alice Pereira vs Hailey Cowan (Women’s Bantamweight)
Azamat Bekoev vs Tresean Gore (Middleweight)
Dione Barbosa vs Melissa Gatto (Women’s Flyweight)
Alessandro Costa: Can Mexican-based Brazilian "Nono" end his losing run?
Alessandro Costa (14-5) has been a UFC flyweight fixture since his debut in late 2022, alternating wins and losses in a pattern that has kept him hovering at the fringes of relevance in the division. His most recent outing, a third-round TKO loss to Alden Coria at Noche UFC, was a disappointing one - compromised and looking timid throughout, a shadow of the fighter who holds wins over Kevin Borjas and Jimmy Flick. When he's on, Costa is a dangerous low-volume puncher with genuine power for the division, heavy leg kicks, and decent scrambles on the ground. The concern is that his tendency to swing wild leaves him open to takedowns against fighters with the timing to exploit it.
Stewart Nicoll: Struggling Australian hoping his BJJ can keep him afloat
Stewart Nicoll (8-2) arrived in the UFC off an impressive 8-0 regional record, including the XFC flyweight title, but the exclusive promotion has been a harsh awakening. He was submitted by Jesus Aguilar in the first round on his debut, then dropped a unanimous decision to Lucas Rocha in Brazil, looking physically outmatched in both outings. The BJJ black belt has shown a dynamic striking arsenal with stance switches and decent volume, but his chin appears suspect against real UFC-level power, and his gas tank visibly fades heading into the second half of the fight.
Alessandro Costa vs Stewart Nicoll prediction
On paper, this is a style clash that favours Costa in almost every department. Nicoll is not defensively responsible himself and his chin has already been exposed at UFC level, and Costa, when throwing with his usual bad intentions, carries more than enough power to find it. The heavy counters and winging overhand are dangerous weapons against someone who doesn't defend very well, and the step-in straight should find a home early if Costa stays disciplined and keeps his distance management sound.
The main caveat is Costa himself. His showing against Coria was concerning, looking passive and tentative for most of the fight before appearing to quit under duress. If that version shows up here, Nicoll's volume and grappling could give him enough to stay competitive, particularly if he can time his takedowns well on Costa's wild entries. However, Costa is the physically stronger man, carries a legitimate path to a stoppage, and Nicoll simply hasn't shown he can handle the step up in power since arriving in the UFC. Costa should be able to get this one done in the second or third round.
Prediction: Alessandro Costa to win by KO/TKO or submission
