Alex Nicholson (fighter)

Last updated
Alex Nicholson
Born (1990-05-02) May 2, 1990 (age 34)
Apopka, Florida, United States
Other namesSpartan [1]
Residence Orlando, Florida, United States
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight230 lb (104 kg; 16 st 6 lb)
Division Heavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Middleweight [2]
Reach77.5 in (197 cm)
Stance Orthodox
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
Total31
Wins20
By knockout18
By submission2
Losses11
By knockout6
By submission1
By decision4
Amateur record
Total11
Wins4
Losses7
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

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]

Contents

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]

Nicholson faced Prince McLean at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 6 on November 10, 2023. [23] He won the fight via knockout 19 seconds into the bout. [24]

Nicholson faced Chase Sherman at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 7 on March 2, 2024. [25] Nicholson lost in the first round by way of knockout. [26]

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. [27]

Personal life

Nicholson has a son with fellow mixed martial artist Hannah Goldy. [28]

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." [29] 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." [30]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
31 matches20 wins11 losses
By knockout186
By submission21
By decision04
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Frank TateGamebred Bareknuckle MMA 8November 15, 2024 Biloxi, Mississippi, United StatesBare knuckle MMA.
Win20–11Zac PaugaTKO (elbows and punches)XFC 51September 27, 202421:16 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Win19–11 Carl Seumanutafa TKO (elbow and punches)XFC: Detroit Grand Prix 2May 31, 202414:09 Detroit, Michigan, United States
Loss18–11 Chase Sherman KO (punch)Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 7March 2, 202413:57 Orlando, Florida, United StatesBare Knuckle MMA.
Win18–10Prince McLeanKO (punches)Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 6November 10, 202310:19 Biloxi, Mississippi, United StatesBare knuckle MMA.
Loss17–10Valter WalkerTKO (retirement)Titan FC 82 / SBC 47June 2, 202340:50 Novi Sad, SerbiaLost the Titan FC Heavyweight Championship.
Win17–9Oscar SosaSubmission (anaconda choke)Titan FC 78July 29, 202213:47 Santo Domingo, Dominican RepublicWon the vacant Titan FC Heavyweight Championship.
Win16–9Tony LopezKO (knee)Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 3December 17, 202111:48 Biloxi, Mississippi, United StatesBare knuckle MMA.
Win15–9Johnathan IveyTKO (knees and elbows)Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 2October 1, 202111:56 Biloxi, Mississippi, United StatesBare knuckle MMA bout.
Loss14–9 Francimar Barroso Decision (unanimous) PFL 9 (2019) October 31, 201925:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States 2019 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win14–8Zeke Tuinei-WilyTKO (punches) PFL 6 (2019) August 8, 201913:07 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss13–8 Francimar Barroso Decision (split) PFL 3 (2019) June 6, 201935:00 Uniondale, New York, United States
Loss13–7Josh CopelandKO (punch) PFL 8 (2018) October 5, 201811:27 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States 2018 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win13–6Jack MayTKO (leg kick and punches)12:03 2018 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Loss12–6 Philipe Lins TKO (punches) PFL 4 (2018) July 19, 201823:39 Uniondale, New York, United States
Win12–5Jake HeunKO (flying knee) PFL 1 (2018) June 7, 201820:58 New York City, New York, United States
Win11–5 Ricco Rodriguez TKO (submission to punches)AFC 24: CamSoda LegendsApril 26, 201811: 27 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Loss10–5 Ryan Spann KO (punches) LFA 32 January 26, 201814:24 Lake Charles, Louisiana, United StatesFor the LFA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win10–4Daniel MadridTKO (punches)Iron Boy MMA 9November 18, 201711:42 Phoenix, Arizona, United StatesMiddleweight bout.
Win9–4 Chris Barnett KO (elbow)Island Fights 42October 14, 201710:40 Pensacola, Florida, United States
Win8–4Demoreo DennisKO (elbow)Next Level Fight Club 8September 16, 201711:06 Raleigh, North Carolina, United StatesReturn to Heavyweight.
Loss7–4 Jack Hermansson TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Teixeira May 28, 201712:00 Stockholm, Sweden
Loss7–3 Sam Alvey Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale: dos Anjos vs. Ferguson November 5, 201635:00 Mexico City, Mexico
Win7–2 Devin Clark KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker July 13, 201614:57 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United StatesReturn to Middleweight.
Loss6–2 Misha Cirkunov Submission (neck crank) UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson February 6, 201621:28 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesLight Heavyweight bout.
Win6–1Chaz MorganTKOIsland Fights 34August 1, 201514:03 Pensacola, Florida, United StatesWon the Island Fights Heavyweight Championship.
Win5–1Dillon ClecklerKO (spinning back fist)Island Fights 33March 28, 201521:34 Pensacola, Florida, United States
Win4–1Ronnie PhillipsTKO (head kick and punches)Florida Championship FightingJanuary 30, 201514:08 Fern Park, Florida, United StatesLight Heavyweight bout.
Win3–1 Chase Sherman TKO (spinning back fist)Island Fights 31December 5, 20141N/A Pensacola, Florida, United StatesHeavyweight debut.
Win2–1Derrick BrownSubmission (neck crank)Top Alliance Combat 3September 6, 201414:56 McDonough, Georgia, United StatesLight Heavyweight debut.
Loss1–1Mark IngeDecision (unanimous)Top Alliance Combat 1April 12, 201435:00 McDonough, Georgia, United States
Win1–0Baraq HunterKOIsland Fights 27February 8, 201410:37 Pensacola, Florida, United StatesMiddleweight debut.

Professional boxing record

2 fights1 win1 loss
By knockout11
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
2Loss1–1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Simon KeanKO1 (4), 2:384 Dec 2015 Flag of the United States.svg Métropolis, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
1Win1–0 Flag of the United States.svg Joseph WhiteKO2 (4), 2:2410 Oct 2015 Flag of the United States.svg Florida Orange Event Center, Lakeland, Florida, US

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References

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