Kyle Nelson

Mixed martial arts career Early career Born and raised in Huntsville, Ontario, Canada, Nelson began competing in mixed martial arts in 2011. He held a 2–1 amateur record and then competed in local North American professional promotions. During this time he won the Elite 1 MMA Featherweight Championship, and also fought for the Lightweight Championship in TXC MMA. He then signed with the RXF in Romania, Europe, and after with the UFC in 2018.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Nelson made his promotional debut on December 8, 2018, on short notice against Carlos Diego Ferreira, replacing Jesse Ronson at UFC 231. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

Returning to Featherweight Nelson next faced Matt Sayles on May 4, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 151. He lost the fight via submission via arm-triangle choke 3:16 into round 3.

Nelson fought next at UFC Fight Night 159 on September 21, 2019 against Marco Polo Reyes. He won the fight via TKO at 1:36 of round 1, earning him his first UFC victory.

Nelson was scheduled to face Sean Woodson in a catchweight bout of 150 pounds on June 27, 2020 at UFC on ESPN 12. However, Nelson was pulled form the event due to visa issue and he was replaced by Julian Erosa.

Nelson faced Billy Quarantillo on September 12, 2020 at UFC on ESPN 17. He lost the fight via knockout in the third round.

Nelson faced Jai Herbert on July 23, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 208. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Nelson faced Choi Doo-ho on February 4, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 218. The fight ended via majority draw.

Nelson faced Blake Bilder on June 10, 2023, at UFC 289. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Nelson faced Fernando Padilla on September 16, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 227. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Nelson faced Bill Algeo on March 30, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 54. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.

Nelson was scheduled to face Calvin Kattar on September 7, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 242. However, Kattar withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Steve Garcia. At the weigh-ins, Nelson weighed in at 148.5 pounds, two and a half pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to Garcia. Nelson lost the fight by technical knockout via elbows and punches in the first round.

Moving up to lightweight, Nelson faced Matt Frevola on October 18, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 262. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Nelson faced Terrance McKinney on March 28, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 271. He lost the fight via technical knockout 24 seconds into the first round.

Championships and accomplishments Elite1 Mixed Martial Arts Featherweight Championship

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Terrance McKinney TKO (head kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Pyfer

Seattle, Washington, United States Win

Matt Frevola Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: de Ridder vs. Allen

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Loss

Steve Garcia TKO (elbows and punches) UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Brady

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Bill Algeo TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Blanchfield vs. Fiorot

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Fernando Padilla Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Blake Bilder Decision (unanimous) UFC 289

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Draw

Choi Doo-ho Draw (majority) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Spivac

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Jai Herbert Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall

London, England Loss

Billy Quarantillo KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Polo Reyes TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Stephens

Mexico City, Mexico Loss

Matt Sayles Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Loss

Carlos Diego Ferreira TKO (punches) UFC 231

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Win

Morteza Rezaei TKO (punches) Real Xtreme Fighting 32

Brașov, Romania Win

Khama Worthy KO (punches) BTC 1

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Win

Gabriel Mănucă Submission (rear-naked choke) Real Xtreme Fighting 26

Brașov, Romania Win

Jonathan Brookins Decision (split) Z Promotions: Fight Night 2

Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada Win

Zoltán Turi Submission (rear-naked choke) Real Xtreme Fighting 23

Bucharest, Romania Win

Justin Bourgeois TKO (punches) Elite 1 MMA: Meltdown

Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada Loss

Adrian Hadribeaj Decision (unanimous) Triple X Cagefighting: Legends 6

Novi, Michigan, United States Win

Ainsley Robinson Technical Submission (guillotine choke) Substance Cage Combat 2

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Win

Alex Halkias Decision (unanimous) Provincial FC 2

London, Ontario, Canada Win

Neelan Hordatt Decision (split) Substance Cage Combat 1

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Win

Maxime Dubois TKO (punches) Ultimate Generation Combat 32

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Jo Petahtegoose Submission (armbar) Score Fighting Series 6

Sarnia, Ontario, Canada Win

Michael Dufort Decision (unanimous) Ringside MMA 13

Montreal, Quebec, Canada