Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — For many a Brazilian fighter, UFC 301 was an important night in their careers, and more than once during Saturday’s post-fight interviews, the words “dream come true” were uttered.
For Iasmin Lucindo, it was the chance to fight at home. For Alessandro Costa (14-4), meanwhile, it was the opportunity to compete on a card with legend Jose Aldo.
Costa ripped a number of nasty leg kicks in his fight with Kevin Borjas, which opened up the event. As it happens, UFC Hall of Famer Aldo, who knows a thing or two about leg kicks himself, was the first fighter he connected with when he began training.
“I started training jiu-jitsu when I was 14 years old, and Jose Aldo was the first fighter I got to know,” Costa told Cageside Press following the bout. “For those of you that don’t know, I’m also from Manaus, so to be able to fight on the same card as him is pretty much a dream come true.”
According to Costa, nothing Peru’s Borjas threw his way came as a surprise. “No not really. I was ready for everything. I studied him well, so anything that he threw at me, it was something I was ready for.” And with the victory, Costa believes he kicked off the night in style.
“I think it was a great way to open the night, and show people what I’m able to do. And set up the night for a great UFC Rio.”
Watch the full UFC 301 post-fight press conference with Alessandro Costa above.
