Alex Nicholson (fighter)

Alex Nicholson (born May 2, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist formally competing in the heavyweight division of the Professional Fighters League. A professional competitor since 2014, he has competed for the UFC and Legacy Fighting Alliance.[1]

Alex Nicholson
Born (1990-05-02) May 2, 1990
Apopka, Florida, United States
Other namesSpartan[1]
ResidenceOrlando, Florida, United States
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight230 lb (104 kg; 16 st 6 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Middleweight[2]
Reach77.5 in (197 cm)
StanceOrthodox
TeamAmerican Top Team Orlando
UFC Gym Winter Springs
RankBlue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Black belt in Tae Kwon Do[3]
Years active2014–present
Professional boxing record
Total2
Wins1
By knockout1
Losses1
By knockout1
Mixed martial arts record
Total27
Wins17
By knockout15
By submission2
Losses10
By knockout5
By submission1
By decision4
Amateur record
Total11
Wins4
Losses7
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Born and raised in Apopka, Florida, Nicholson played basketball growing up before being introduced to martial arts and boxing. In boxing, he was a Florida Golden Gloves Champion, as well as a state amateur Muay Thai champion, in which he was undefeated.[4]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

After an amateur career in 2012 and 2013 where he held a record of 4–7, Nicholson made his professional MMA debut in February 2014. He amassed a record of 6 wins against 1 loss before signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Nicholson made his UFC debut on February 6, 2016, at UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson. He faced Misha Cirkunov on the card[5] and lost the fight via submission in the second round.[6]

In his second fight for the promotion, Nicholson faced Devin Clark in a Middleweight bout at UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker on July 13, 2016.[7] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[8]

In his third fight for the promotion, Nicholson faced Sam Alvey at UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Ferguson on November 5, 2016.[9] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[10]

In his fourth fight for the promotion, Nicholson faced Jack Hermansson at UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Teixeira on May 28, 2017.[11] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round. Subsequent to this fight, Nicholson was released from the promotion.[12]

Professional Fighters League

In June 2018, Nicholson entered into the $1 million Heavyweight tournament held by Professional Fighters League. He faced |Jake Heun in the opening round at PFL 1 on June 7, 2018. He won the fight via knockout due to a flying knee in the second round.[13] On July 19, Nicholson lost via TKO to Phillipe Lins at PFL 4.[14] In October 2018, Nicholson defeated Jack May by TKO[15] but then lost later that night via KO to Josh Copeland.[16]

In June 2019, Nicholson entered the second season of PFL's Heavyweight tournament and lost a decision to Francimar Barroso. In August, he defeated Zeke Tuinei-Wiley. On October 31, Nicholson lost a rematch against Barroso again by decision. In December 2019, Nicholson was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for four years due to testing positive for three steroids.[17]

Regional circuit

Nicholson was scheduled to headline Gamebred FC 2 against Antônio Silva on September 11, 2021.[18] However, Silva's prevailing contract with Eagle Fighting Championship prevented him from competing at the event and he was initially replaced by Jack May. In turn, May tested positive for COVID-19 and was replaced by Jonathan Ivey. Furthermore, the event was postponed to take place on October 1, 2021, in order to ensure housing for those impacted of Hurricane Ida.[19] He won the bout via TKO in the first round.[20]

Nicholson faced Tony Lopez on December 17, 2021, at Gamebred FC 3. He won the bout via KO in the first round.[20]

Nicholson faced Oscar Sosa for the Titan FC Heavyweight Championship on July 29, 2022, at Titan FC 78. He won the bout and title via anaconda choke in the first round.[21]

Nicholson defended his title against Valter Ignacio at Titan FC 82/ SBC 47: Revenge on June 2, 2023. losing the bout in the fourth round after tapping out due to injury.[22]

Professional boxing

Nicholson made his professional boxing debut in 2015, a KO win. He fought again two months later and lost via KO to Simon Kean.[23]

Personal life

Nicholson has a son with fellow mixed martial artist Hannah Goldy.[24]

In 2016, Nicholson faced criticism for the racially-charged comments he made while cornering teammate Mike Perry in his bout against South Korean fighter Hyun Gyu Lim. During the fight, Nicholson was recorded shouting "He [Lim] can't even open his motherfucking eyes." The UFC issued a formal statement that any future racially derogatory remarks by Nicholson "could result in a suspension from competition, or termination of his contract."[25] Prior to the fight, Nicholson made a Facebook post where he referred to Lim as "dung him Kong Jung foo" and claimed Perry would "rip [Lim's] limbs off."[26]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
27 matches 17 wins 10 losses
By knockout 15 5
By submission 2 1
By decision 0 4
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 17–10 Valter Ignacio TKO (retirement) Titan FC 82 / SBC 47 June 2, 2023 4 0:50 Novi Sad, Serbia Lost the Titan FC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 17–9 Oscar Sosa Submission (anaconda choke) Titan FC 78 July 29, 2022 1 3:47 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Won the vacant Titan FC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 16–9 Tony Lopez KO (knee) Gamebred Fighting Championship 3 December 17, 2021 1 1:48 Biloxi, Mississippi, United States Bare knuckle MMA bout.
Win 15–9 Johnathan Ivey TKO (knees and elbows) Gamebred Fighting Championship 2 October 1, 2021 1 1:56 Biloxi, Mississippi, United States Bare knuckle MMA bout.
Loss 14–9 Francimar Barroso Decision (unanimous) PFL 9 October 31, 2019 2 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States 2019 PFL Heavyweight Quarterfinal bout.
Win 14–8 Zeke Tuinei-Wily TKO (punches) PFL 6 August 8, 2019 1 3:07 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss 13–8 Francimar Barroso Decision (split) PFL 3 June 6, 2019 3 5:00 Uniondale, New York, United States
Loss 13–7 Josh Copeland KO (punch) PFL 8 October 5, 2018 1 1:27 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States 2018 PFL Heavyweight Semifinal bout.
Win 13–6 Jack May TKO (leg kick and punches) 1 2:03 2018 PFL Heavyweight Quarterfinal bout.
Loss 12–6 Philipe Lins TKO (punches) PFL 4 July 19, 2018 2 3:39 Uniondale, New York, United States
Win 12–5 Jake Heun KO (flying knee) PFL 1 June 7, 2018 2 0:58 New York City, New York, United States
Win 11–5 Ricco Rodriguez TKO (submission to punches) AFC 24: CamSoda Legends April 26, 2018 1 1: 27 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Return to Heavyweight.
Loss 10–5 Ryan Spann KO (punches) Legacy Fighting Alliance 32 January 26, 2018 1 4:24 Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States For LFA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 10–4 Daniel Madrid TKO (punches) Iron Boy MMA 9 November 18, 2017 1 1:42 Phoenix, Arizona, United States Middleweight bout.
Win 9–4 Chris Barnett KO (elbow) Island Fights 42 October 14, 2017 1 0:40 Pensacola, Florida, United States
Win 8–4 Demoreo Dennis KO (elbow) Next Level Fight Club 8 September 16, 2017 1 1:06 Raleigh, North Carolina, United States Return to Heavyweight.
Loss 7–4 Jack Hermansson TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Teixeira May 28, 2017 1 2:00 Stockholm, Sweden
Loss 7–3 Sam Alvey Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Ferguson November 5, 2016 3 5:00 Mexico City, Mexico
Win 7–2 Devin Clark KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker July 13, 2016 1 4:57 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Return to Middleweight.
Loss 6–2 Misha Cirkunov Submission (neck crank) UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson February 6, 2016 2 1:28 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Light Heavyweight bout.
Win 6–1 Chaz Morgan TKO Island Fights 34 August 1, 2015 1 4:03 Pensacola, Florida, United States Won Island Fights Heavyweight Championship.
Win 5–1 Dillon Cleckler KO (spinning back fist) Island Fights 33 March 28, 2015 2 1:34 Pensacola, Florida, United States
Win 4–1 Ronnie Phillips TKO (head kick and punches) Florida Championship Fighting January 30, 2015 1 4:08 Fern Park, Florida, United States Light Heavyweight bout.
Win 3–1 Chase Sherman TKO (spinning back fist) Island Fights 31 December 5, 2014 1 N/A Pensacola, Florida, United States Heavyweight debut.
Win 2–1 Derrick Brown Submission (neck crank) Top Alliance Combat 3 September 6, 2014 1 4:56 McDonough, Georgia, United States Light Heavyweight debut.
Loss 1–1 Mark Inge Decision (unanimous) Top Alliance Combat 1 April 12, 2014 3 5:00 McDonough, Georgia, United States
Win 1–0 Baraq Hunter KO Island Fights 27 February 8, 2014 1 0:37 Pensacola, Florida, United States

Professional boxing record

2 fights 1 win 1 loss
By knockout 1 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
2 Loss 1–1 Canada Simon Kean KO 1 (4), 2:38 4 Dec 2015 United States Métropolis, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
1 Win 1–0 United States Joseph White KO 2 (4), 2:24 10 Oct 2015 United States Florida Orange Event Center, Lakeland, Florida, US

References

  1. "Alex Nicholson going full 'Spartan' at LFA 32: 'I'm going to kick him right into the well'". 26 January 2018.
  2. "Alex Nicholson picks up heavyweight win, aims for UFC return". 17 September 2017.
  3. "Alex Nicholson - Official UFC® Profile". www.ufc.com.
  4. "Alex Nicholson | UFC". www.ufc.ca.
  5. Staff (2016-01-06). "Misha Cirkunov meets 205-pound newcomer Alex Nicholson at UFC Fight Night 82 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-01-06.
  6. "UFC Fight Night Medical Suspensions: Seven Fighters Facing Potential 6-Month Layoffs". Sherdog. February 8, 2015.
  7. Sherdog.com. "RFA Champion Devin Clark Faces Alex Nicholson at July 13 UFC Fight Night in Sioux Falls". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-05-28.
  8. "UFC Fight Night 91 Results: McDonald vs. Lineker". MMA Fighting. 2016-07-13. Retrieved 2017-05-26.
  9. Tristen Critchfield (2016-10-10). "Sam Alvey vs. Alex Nicholson moved to UFC Fight Night in Mexico City on Nov. 5". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
  10. Steven Marrocco (2016-11-05). "UFC Fight Night 98 results: Sam Alvey smiles way – mostly – to unanimous decision over Alex Nicholson". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-11-05.
  11. Staff (2017-02-28). "UFC Fight Night in Stockholm adds 3 other bouts". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  12. "UFC Fight Night 109 results: Jack Hermansson wastes little time finishing Alex Nicholson". mmajunkie.com. 2017-05-28.
  13. Staff (2018-06-07). "PFL 1: Harrison vs. Tuerxun Results and Recap". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-05-28.
  14. Alexander, Mookie (2018-07-19). "PFL 4: Palmer vs. Tuerxun results and live discussion". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2021-05-28.
  15. Doherty, Dan (2019-06-06). "PFL 3 2019 Results: Francimar Barroso Gets Split Decision in Wild Fight with Alex Nicholson". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-05-28.
  16. Bissell, Tim (2018-10-06). "PFL 8 results and highlights: Copeland starches Nicholson, Siler advances to final via DQ". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2021-05-28.
  17. Alexander, Mookie (2019-12-18). "PFL's Alex Nicholson suspended four years after testing positive for three steroids". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  18. "Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva vs. Alex Nicholson headlines Gamebred FC 2 on Sept. 11". mmafighting.com. August 18, 2021.
  19. Mike Heck (September 5, 2021). "Jorge Masvidal announces Gamebred Fighting Championship 2 postponement after Hurricane Ida". mmafighting.com.
  20. "Gamebred Fighting Championship 2 Results". MMA Sucka. 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-12-20.
  21. "Titan FC 78 Results - Nicholson vs Sosa II". MMA Sucka. 2022-07-29. Retrieved 2022-08-03.
  22. Beaupré, Drew (2023-06-02). "VIDEO: Ex-UFC Fighter Knocks Out Opponent With Judo Throw in Serbia". Sports Illustrated MMA News, Analysis and More. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  23. "BoxRec: Alex Nicholson". boxrec.com.
  24. Doug Geller. "Hannah "Queen of Sparta" Goldy is excited to punch someone in the face at Island Fights 50". mymmanews.com.
  25. Lewis Mckeever. "UFC issue statement on racial comment made by Alex Nicholson". bloodyelbow.com.
  26. Sydnie Jones. "UFC Remains Blissfully Indifferent to Bigotry After Mike Perry's Corner Fiasco". bleacherreport.com.
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