Alex Nicholson

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.

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 and lost the fight via submission in the second round.

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. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

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

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

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. On July 19, Nicholson lost via TKO to Philipe Lins at PFL 4. In October 2018, Nicholson defeated Jack May by TKO but then lost later that night via KO to Josh Copeland.

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.

Regional circuit Nicholson was scheduled to headline Gamebred FC 2 against Antônio Silva on September 11, 2021. 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. He won the bout via TKO in the first round.

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

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.

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

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

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.

Personal life Nicholson has a son with fellow mixed martial artist Hannah Goldy.

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." 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."

Mixed martial arts record Win

Brad Taylor TKO (punches) Duel Arena 1

Orlando, Florida, United States Loss

Yoel Romero TKO (submission to punches) Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 10

Miami, Florida, United States Loss

Darion Abbey TKO (punches) XFC 52

Iowa City, Iowa, United States Loss

Frank Tate KO (punches) Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 8

Biloxi, Mississippi, United States Win

Zac Pauga TKO (elbows and punches) XFC 51

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States NC

Carl Seumanutafa NC (overturned) XFC: Detroit Grand Prix 2

Detroit, Michigan, United States Loss

Chase Sherman KO (punch) Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 7

Orlando, Florida, United States Win

Prince McLean KO (punches) Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 6

Biloxi, Mississippi, United States Loss

Valter Walker TKO (retirement) Titan FC 82 / SBC 47

Novi Sad, Serbia Win

Oscar Sosa Submission (anaconda choke) Titan FC 78

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Win

Tony Lopez KO (knee) Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 3

Biloxi, Mississippi, United States Win

Johnathan Ivey TKO (knees and elbows) Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 2

Biloxi, Mississippi, United States Loss

Francimar Barroso Decision (unanimous) PFL 9 (2019)

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Zeke Tuinei-Wily TKO (punches) PFL 6 (2019)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Francimar Barroso Decision (split) PFL 3 (2019)

Uniondale, New York, United States Loss

Josh Copeland KO (punch)

Win

Jack May TKO (leg kick and punches)

Loss

Philipe Lins TKO (punches) PFL 4 (2018)

Uniondale, New York, United States Win

Jake Heun KO (flying knee) PFL 1 (2018)

New York City, New York, United States Win

Ricco Rodriguez TKO (submission to punches) CamSoda Legends 1

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Loss

Ryan Spann KO (punches) LFA 32

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Win

Daniel Madrid TKO (punches) Iron Boy MMA 9

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Chris Barnett KO (elbow) Island Fights 42

Pensacola, Florida, United States Win

Demoreo Dennis KO (elbow) Next Level Fight Club 8

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States Loss

Jack Hermansson TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Teixeira

Stockholm, Sweden Loss

Sam Alvey Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale: dos Anjos vs. Ferguson

Mexico City, Mexico Win

Devin Clark KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Loss

Misha Cirkunov Submission (neck crank) UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Chaz Morgan TKO (punches) Island Fights 34

Pensacola, Florida, United States Win

Dillon Cleckler KO (spinning backfist) Island Fights 33

Pensacola, Florida, United States Win

Ronnie Phillips TKO (head kick and punches) Florida CF 1

Fern Park, Florida, United States Win

Chase Sherman TKO (punches) Island Fights 31

Pensacola, Florida, United States Win

Derrick Brown Submission (neck crank) Top Alliance Combat 3

McDonough, Georgia, United States Loss

Mark Inge Decision (unanimous) Top Alliance Combat 1

McDonough, Georgia, United States Win

Baraq Hunter KO Island Fights 27

Pensacola, Florida, United States Professional boxing record