A Game of Adjustments

Thiago Moises now gets another chance to show he can adjust to the curveball.

The American Top Team lightweight will take on Ultimate Fighting Championship newcomer Melquizael Costa as part of the UFC 283 undercard this Saturday at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro. Costa steps in as a short-notice replacement for Guram Kutateladze, who withdrew from the match for undisclosed reasons.

“Kutateladze would have been a very tough opponent, as is ‘Melk,’” Moises told Sherdog.com. “I had been training hard. When my opponent changed, my focus remained the same. I wish to show up, dominate and win this fight. ‘Melk’ has had great wins on the Brazil regional scene, and he’s also a [Legacy Fighting Alliance] veteran. I’ll be very ready for him. My main adjustment in training was due to the fact that ‘Melk’ is a southpaw, as opposed to Guram.”

Costa, 26, has won seven of his past eight bouts and enters the Octagon on the strength of back-to-back victories. He last fought at LFA 147, where he took care of Jose Cleiton de Melo Jr. with punches in the third round of their Nov. 18 main event. Moises respects the man being placed across from him.

“‘Melk’ is a young and hungry fighter,” he said. “He wants do good work in the UFC, but I’m very well trained and prepared. Without a doubt, this will be the most difficult fight of his career, and it will be mine, as well. The hardest fight is always the next one. I’ll show up focused. For sure, I’ll be winning by knockout or submission. I’m taking my opponent very seriously, even though it’s his first bout in the UFC. He’s had great fights in LFA and throughout Brazil, which is full of tough fighters who would do well in the UFC.”

Moises owns a 5-4 record across his nine appearances in the UFC, though his losses have come to Beneil Dariush, Damir Ismagulov, Joel Alvarez and current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. He snapped a two-fight losing streak in June, when he submitted Christos Giagos with a rear-naked choke in the first round of their UFC on ESPN 38 pairing. Moises has spent the time since sharpening his skills under a bevy of world-class coaches at American Top Team: Marcos da Matta, Luciano dos Santos, Vitelmo Kubis Bandeira, Gabriel de Oliveira and Steve Mocco.

“I had the best possible preparation,” Moises said. “I had a perfect camp for this fight. I’ll be able to showcase how I’ve evolved since my last fight. I’ll leave everything inside the Octagon.”

The bout also marks Moises’ return to his native Brazil, where he has not competed since he laid claim to a unanimous decision over Strikeforce alum and former Titan Fighting Championship titleholder Kurt Holobaugh at UFC 237 nearly four years ago. He looks forward to the homecoming.

“I’m very happy to be scheduled to fight in Brazil again,” Moises said. “I’ve already faced great names in the lightweight class. I’ll now be facing someone who’s very hungry for a win. My focus must remain the same, as if I was facing Makhachev. I’m very well trained and prepared.”

Still just 27 years of age, he believes he has plenty of time to climb the ladder at 155 pounds.

“I’m not in a hurry,” Moises said. “I’m taking one step at a time. I’ve been improving significantly during training, and I know I still have far to go. With this mindset, it’s just a matter of time until I reach the top.”