Alessandro Costa Faces Matt Schnell in UFC Las Vegas Preliminary Fight

Flyweight Alessandro Costa sits atop betting odds ahead of his preliminary-card matchup against Matt Schnell at UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs Bonfim in Las Vegas. The fight takes place on the preliminary slate, despite Costa commanding heavy favorite status in the oddsmaking market.

Fight Details and Matchup Overview

Costa (15-5) will compete on the preliminary card alongside six other fights during the UFC's return to the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. His opponent, Schnell (17-10), enters the cage with a notable physical advantage that complicates the betting narrative surrounding this flyweight contest.

The physical disparity between the two competitors is substantial. Schnell stands at 173 centimeters tall with a 178-centimeter reach, while Costa measures 163 centimeters with proportionally shorter limbs. This eight-centimeter reach advantage for Schnell creates a significant technical gap, yet oddsmakers have priced Costa as a -535 favorite—an unusually steep price for a fighter facing a taller opponent in a division where a single well-timed strike can change the fight's outcome.

Betting Analysis and Fight Expectations

Sports betting analysts have identified the under 1.5 rounds as the most compelling wager on this pairing. Costa's fight history reveals volatile results, while Schnell has reportedly developed vulnerabilities in his chin during his recent career trajectory. The betting consensus suggests the fight ends decisively early—either through Costa's aggressive early blitzing or Schnell's ability to capitalize on his reach advantage to strike Costa as the fighter moves inside.

Costa spoke with UFC.com during fight week, discussing his preparation for the bout. The preliminary card kicks off at 5 p.m. ET on Paramount+, with the main card featuring a welterweight title eliminator between Muhammad and Bonfim.