Matheus Nicolau

Ultimate Fighting Championship Nicolau made his official debut for the promotion on November 7, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 77 where he faced fellow castmate Bruno Rodrigues. He won the fight submission in the third round.

Nicolau next faced John Moraga on July 8, 2016 at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale. He won the fight via split decision.

Nicolau was expected to face Ulka Sasaki on November 19, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 100. However Nicolau was pulled from the bout on November 3 after the USADA revealed a potential anti-doping violation from a sample that was taken October 13.

Nicolau faced Louis Smolka on December 30, 2017 at UFC 219. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Nicolau faced Dustin Ortiz on July 28, 2018 at UFC on Fox 30. He lost the fight via knockout due to a head kick and follow-up punches in the first round.

In February 2019, news surfaced that Nicolau had been released from the UFC.

Future FC After being released from the UFC, Nicolau signed with Brazilian mixed martial arts promotion Future FC where he fought in the bantamweight division. In his promotional debut he faced Alan Gabriel at Future FC 5 on May 24, 2019. He won the fight via anaconda choke.

In August 2019, it was also announced that Nicolau had signed with Brave CF, making his promotional debut against Felipe Efrain at Brave CF 25 on August 31, 2019. Nicolau won the fight via unanimous decision.

In February 2020, news surfaced that Nicolau would be participating in Brave CF Flyweight tournament. In the initial round, Nicolau was expected to face Jose Torres at Brave CF 35 on March 28, 2020. However, the event was postponed until a to-be-determined date due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Return to UFC Nicolau was scheduled to face Tagir Ulanbekov on January 24, 2021 at UFC 257. However, Ulanbekov withdrew due to undisclosed reasons. The pairing was eventually rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 187. However, Ulanbekov withdrew from the bout the second time for undisclosed reason and he was replaced by Manel Kape. He won the fight via controversial split decision. 21 out of 21 media members scored the fight for his opponent Kape.

Nicolau faced Tim Elliott on October 9, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 194. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Nicolau faced David Dvořák on March 26, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 33. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Nicolau faced Matt Schnell on December 3, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 42. He won the bout via knockout in the second round.

Nicolau faced Brandon Royval on April 15, 2023 at UFC on ESPN 44. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Nicolau was scheduled for a rematch against Manel Kape on January 13, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 234. At the weigh-ins, Kape weighed in at 129.5 pounds, three and a half pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit, and the bout was cancelled. The pair was rescheduled for April 27, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 55. However, Kape withdrew for unknown reasons and he was replaced by Alex Perez. Nicolau lost the fight to Perez by knockout in the second round.

Nicolau faced Asu Almabayev on October 19, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 245. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

On October 29, 2024, it was announced that Nicolau was released from the UFC.

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Asu Almabayev Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Pereira

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Alex Perez KO (punch) UFC on ESPN: Nicolau vs. Perez

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Brandon Royval KO (knee and elbows) UFC on ESPN: Holloway vs. Allen

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

Matt Schnell KO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Thompson vs. Holland

Orlando, Florida, United States Win

David Dvořák Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Daukaus

Columbus, Ohio, United States Win

Tim Elliott Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Manel Kape Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Felipe Efrain Decision (unanimous) Brave CF 25

Belo Horizonte, Brazil Win

Alan Gabriel Submission (Japanese necktie) Future FC 5

São Paulo, Brazil Loss

Dustin Ortiz KO (head kick and punches) UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2

Calgary, Alberta, Canada Win

Louis Smolka Decision (unanimous) UFC 219

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

John Moraga Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Bruno Mesquita Submission (Japanese necktie) UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson 3

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Derinaldo Guerra da Silva KO (punch) Shooto Brazil 49

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Pedro Arruda KO (punch) Brazil Fight 8

Belo Horizonte, Brazil Win

Vanderlei Carvalho Leite Decision (unanimous) Shooto Brazil 45

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Loss

Pedro Nobre TKO (punches) Bitetti Combat 13

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Denison Silva Decision (unanimous) Bitetti Combat 13

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Larry Passos Vargas KO (punches) Brazil Fight 6

Belo Horizonte, Brazil Win

Gilberto Dias Decision (unanimous) Shooto Brazil 31

Brasília, Brazil Win

Michael Daboville Submission (triangle choke) Lions FC 2

Neuchâtel, Switzerland Win

Damien Pighiera Submission (arm-triangle choke) Lions FC 1

Neuchâtel, Switzerland Draw

Larry Passos Vargas Draw (unanimous) Brazil Fight 5

Belo Horizonte, Brazil Win

Fernando Silva TKO (doctor stoppage) Brazil Fight 4

Nova Lima, Brazil Win

Pedro Alves Chalita Submission (rear-naked choke) Pedro Leopoldo Extreme Fight

Pedro Leopoldo, Brazil

Mixed martial arts exhibition record Loss

Dileno Lopes Decision (unanimous)

(airdate)

Win

Reginaldo Vieira Decision (unanimous) (airdate)

Win

Mateus Vasco Submission (rear-naked choke) (airdate)