49-year-old Yoel Romero knocks out Alex Nicholson in 70 seconds at bare-knuckle event

Yoel Romero demonstrated that his finishing ability remains very much intact, stopping Alex Nicholson in just 70 seconds at Jorge Masvidal's bare-knuckle MMA promotion on May 2, 2026.

Romero, nicknamed "Soldier of God," is 49 years old and fighting out of American Top Team. He holds a professional MMA record of 13 wins and 5 losses. The Cuban-born southpaw stands six feet tall with a 73-inch reach and has long been known for explosive, high-impact performances. He carries a striking accuracy of 49 percent and averages 1.57 takedowns per 15 minutes — the latter proving decisive on this night, as he secured a double-leg takedown before landing a devastating blow to Nicholson's jaw to end the contest.

Nicholson, known as "The Spartan," is 36 years old and also trains at American Top Team, though at the Orlando affiliate. He stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance. His verified professional MMA record stands at 7 wins and 4 losses. Nicholson averages 4.12 significant strikes landed per minute and connects at a 43 percent accuracy rate.

Why it matters

• Romero, at 49, showed legitimate finishing power in a combat sports context, reinforcing his status as an unusually durable and dangerous veteran.
• The result adds a high-profile name to the growing bare-knuckle MMA scene being built around Jorge Masvidal's promotion.
• The size advantage belonged to Nicholson — six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach against Romero's six-foot frame — making the swift finish all the more notable.
• Both fighters train within the American Top Team network, adding an inter-team dimension to the matchup.