logo
UFC Fight Night 256 adds Melquizael Costa vs. Julian Erosa, Sodiq Yusuff vs. Mairon Santos

UFC Fight Night 256 adds Melquizael Costa vs. Julian Erosa, Sodiq Yusuff vs. Mairon Santos

USA Today23-04-2025

UFC Fight Night 256 adds Melquizael Costa vs. Julian Erosa, Sodiq Yusuff vs. Mairon Santos
The UFC Fight Night 256 lineup on May 17 continues to fill out with the addition of two notable matchups.
Melquizael Costa will take on Julian Erosa in a featherweight matchup, while Sodiq Yusuff and "The Ultimate Fighter 32" winner Mairon Santos clash in a lightweight contest at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas (ESPN+).
Two people with knowledge of the bookings told MMA Junkie of the matchups on Wednesday following initial reports from MMA Fighting and AG Fight. The people requested anonymity because UFC hasn't officially announced either matchup.
Costa (23-7 MMA, 4-2 UFC) will make his third appearance of 2025 after picking up a decision over Christian Rodriguez in March and a submission of Andre Fili in February. Erosa (31-11 MMA, 9-7 UFC) will attempt to halt that momentum and extend his own after picking up three straight wins, all by finish, with the latest being a first-round TKO of Darren Elkins at UFC 314 this month.
Yusuff (13-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) returns to action for the first time since a knockout loss to Diego Lopes at UFC 300. Due to the short-notice nature of the booking, his matchup against Santos (15-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), who is coming off a controversial split decision over Francis Marshall at UFC 313 in March, will be contested at 155 pounds.
The latest UFC Fight Night 256 lineup now includes:

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Middletown native Kayla Harrison wins UFC title
Middletown native Kayla Harrison wins UFC title

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Middletown native Kayla Harrison wins UFC title

Kayla Harrison continues to win more gold. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Middletown native won the women's bantamweight championship Saturday in the UFC 316 co-main event in Newark, NJ, according to the Associated Press. Advertisement She beat Julianna Pena in the final seconds of Round 2. Harrison improved to 19-1 in MMA overall and 3-0 in the UFC. She dominated every second of Saturday's fight. TRENDING STORIES: She dropped to her knees in celebration. 'I prayed in the dark. I fought in the light. And God never left my side,' she wrote on her Facebook page. 'Thank you to my team, my family, and everyone who believed. This life is wild—and I'm so damn blessed to live it." President Trump attended the fight on Saturday. As previously reported by News Center 7, Harrison graduated from Middletown High School, where she took up judo. Advertisement Harrison won two gold medals at the Olympics in 2012 and 2016. The Associated Press contributed to this story Photo from Kayla Harrison's Facebook page [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Georgia Tech Football's CFP Odds Leaves Fans in Disbelief
Georgia Tech Football's CFP Odds Leaves Fans in Disbelief

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Georgia Tech Football's CFP Odds Leaves Fans in Disbelief

Georgia Tech Football's CFP Odds Leaves Fans in Disbelief originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Could 2025 be the year Georgia Tech flips the national script? After two consecutive seven-win seasons and a wave of recruiting and portal momentum, ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) is taking notice. According to the latest projections, the Yellow Jackets have the fifth-best odds in the ACC to reach the College Football Playoff, a significant nod to Brent Key's steady rebuild in Atlanta. Advertisement Let that sink in. A program once written off as a rebuilding project is now in the same postseason conversation as Clemson and Miami. ESPN's FPI currently gives Georgia Tech a 9.8% chance to make the playoff, behind Clemson (47.3%), Miami (46.3%), SMU (21.1%), and Virginia Tech (12.5%). The Jackets rank No. 28 overall, ahead of several Power 5 stalwarts like Florida State, UNC, and NC State. So what's changed? Since taking over the helm in 2022, Brent Key has not only stabilized a program in flux but has created an identity rooted in physical play, discipline, and player development. Georgia Tech has pulled off multiple wins over ranked teams under Key's watch, signaling they're more than capable of punching above their weight. Advertisement The 2025 schedule is favorable, if navigated wisely. Tech faces only two top-25 teams by FPI standards, No. 11 Clemson and No. 2 Georgia. Crucially, only Clemson is a conference game. The rest of the ACC slate includes matchups with Duke, Wake Forest, and Syracuse, all ranked outside the FPI top 50. Tech avoids SMU, Miami, and Virginia Tech, which should make this task much easier. If Tech handles business against mid-tier opponents and snags an upset against Clemson or Georgia, a 10-win season isn't just possible, it could be probable. Georgia Tech's improved recruiting rankings and portal pickups reflect a clear upward trajectory in talent acquisition. With a stable offensive staff, returning quarterback Haynes King, and a much improved defense, there's reason to believe the Jackets are entering the 2025 season with their most balanced roster in years. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10). Brett Davis-Imagn Images In a shifting ACC landscape, Georgia Tech has something many programs lack: momentum. ESPN's analytics aren't making emotional predictions, they're crunching data and seeing what many around the conference are beginning to feel: Georgia Tech isn't just building, they're ready to strike. Advertisement Can the Yellow Jackets make the College Football Playoff? The odds might still be long, but if Tech fans are looking for hope grounded in data, this is it. FPI says there's a shot, and for a program that's battled its way back into the national conversation, that's a headline worth buzzing about. Georgia Tech football team 2025 playoff odds ESPN FPI ranking ACC schedule Brent Key Related: A New Era Begins as Georgia Tech Names New Baseball Head Coach Related: Georgia Tech Hits Home Run Hiring James Ramsey as Coach This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.

Fans Rip Patchy Mix After Loss to Mario Bautista at UFC 316
Fans Rip Patchy Mix After Loss to Mario Bautista at UFC 316

Yahoo

time7 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Fans Rip Patchy Mix After Loss to Mario Bautista at UFC 316

Fans Rip Patchy Mix After Loss to Mario Bautista at UFC 316 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. UFC 316 is in the books, and while the card delivered a mix of highlights and hard-fought moments, held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on June 7, one fighter's performance stood out — for all the wrong reasons. Despite a stacked resume and plenty of hype heading into the event, fans were left underwhelmed by a newcomer who failed to live up to expectations. The fighter in question? A seasoned champion finally making his Octagon debut — with bold words to match. Advertisement Former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix, 31, made his long-awaited UFC debut on short notice against Mario Bautista. The signing of Mix in May was met with excitement. Many expected the three-time world champion to shake up the division. Mix certainly didn't hold back pre-fight, making bold statements during an episode of UFC Embedded, confidently stating: 'I'm a three‑time world champion… This guy's a journeyman fighter. I'll submit him' and 'I plan to run him over.' Dana WhiteGettyImages But when the cage door closed, it was Bautista who dictated the action. Mix struggled to find rhythm and ultimately dropped a unanimous decision. Fans and analysts pointed out his lack of head movement and footwork, with some calling his stance stiff and his offensive output flat. Patchy MixGetty Images Following the loss, Mix shared an Instagram story captured by Kevin on X: 'Took the fight on 3 weeks notice against a guy who's on an 8 fight win streak in the UFC. I don't hang my head.' Fans, however, didn't let up: 'Guy talked so much sh*t just to say 'took the fight on 3 week's notice'... Come on guy.' 'He was talking so much before the fight about how he was gonna finish all the Bantamweights, dudes a joke.' 'That still doesn't explain how terrible he looked, short notice fights don't prevent you from using head movement and moving as stiff as a board. Didn't even attempt a takedown or anything.' Advertisement Following the event, UFC President Dana White was asked about Mix's debut in a video shared by Crazy MMA on YouTube and said: 'We've seen it happen before when you come from smaller shows and get to the UFC. Some people shine and some people have a rough time. It's not easy.' Now, the pressure is already building. With deep competition at 135 pounds, Mix may have to earn back fan confidence quickly — or risk becoming just another name on the roster. Related: Dana White Slams Door Shut on Former Heavyweight Star's Return Related: 'Leave If You're Not Ready to Defend' – Dricus Du Plessis Slammed Over Refusal to Face Backup Opponent This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store