Alessandro Costa will step in for Imanol Rodriguez to face Matt Schnell at UFC Vegas 118, scheduled for June 6. This event will take place at the Meta APEX and will feature a catchweight bout at 130 pounds.
Changes in the Match Card
The exact reason for Rodriguez’s withdrawal has not been disclosed. Costa was initially set to battle Schnell in September 2024, but circumstances forced him out just days before that match.
Previous Matchups
In Costa’s absence last time, Cody Durden took his place and secured a victory over Schnell via submission. Now, Schnell (17-10, 1 NC) seeks to rebound after a loss to Joseph Morales in November 2025. He has only achieved three wins out of his last ten fights in the UFC.
Fighter Backgrounds
- Matt Schnell: Record of 17 wins and 10 losses, with one no contest.
- Alessandro Costa: Holds a record of 15 wins and 5 losses. He earned a Performance of the Night bonus for a second-round knockout against Stewart Nicoll in April.
Costa is 3-3 in the UFC, having received bonuses for every victory he has secured so far.
Main Event Details
The headline fight for UFC Vegas 118 features a welterweight clash between former champion Belal Muhammad and contender Gabriel Bonfim. This matchup promises to draw significant attention from MMA fans worldwide.
As UFC Vegas 118 approaches, both Schnell and Costa will be looking to make their mark in the octagon, with Schnell aiming to halt his recent slide and Costa looking to build on his impressive knockout win.
