Costa's KO Win Over Charrière Sparks UFC Bonus Backlash

In the final UFC event of 2025, Brazilian featherweight Melquizael Costa delivered a stunning first-round knockout over France's Morgan Charrière at UFC Vegas 112 on December 14 in Las Vegas, but the victory sparked widespread fan backlash after organizers overlooked him for a performance bonus.

The bout, part of the main card at the UFC Apex, ended just 1:14 into the opening round. Costa, riding a four-fight winning streak, pressed forward early with a body kick before unleashing a perfectly timed head kick that dropped Charrière unconscious. The 5-foot-10 fighter, known primarily for his grappling and two prior UFC submission wins, showcased unexpected striking power in his first knockout victory inside the Octagon. It marked Costa's fourth win of the year and improved his UFC record to 5-2 since debuting in January 2023. An emotional Costa credited his faith in a post-fight interview with Michael Bisping, signaling his intent to climb the featherweight ranks.

Charrière, entering off a knockout win over Nate Landwehr in July, had alternated victories and defeats in his previous five outings, bringing a 21-12-1 professional record into the matchup. The quick finish highlighted...