Alessandro Costa thinks ‘people are starting to know who I am’ ahead of UFC Fight Night bout vs. Matt Schnell

Alessandro Costa thinks he’s finally getting some proper recognition from MMA fans after four octagon appearances, and is now ready to go on a run.

Costa (14-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) has split results so far in his octagon tenure, but following a second-round TKO of Kevin Borjas at UFC 301 in May that earned him Performance of the Night honors, he thinks respect is beginning to get placed on his name.

“I think that my last fight really had people put their eyes on me now,” Costa told MMA Junkie Radio. “I think my last fight got that. I had my debut in the UFC against No. 8, then my second fight was against the No. 10, it was on short notice. I think even in those losses people started to see. I think after the last fight, people started noticing. They know who I am.”

Costa will have the chance to leap forward when he takes on flyweight division staple Matt Schnell (16-8 MMA, 6-6 UFC) at UFC Fight Night on Sept. 7 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It’s his most high-profile fight to date, and Costa intends to make the most of it.

“It’s a good fight for me,” Costa said. “I think people are starting to know who I am in the division.

To hear more from Costa, watch his complete interview with MMA Junkie Radio at UFC X above.