Yoel Romero knocks out Alex Nicholson at Gamebred bare-knuckle MMA event

Yoel Romero added another highlight-reel finish to his career at a Gamebred bare-knuckle MMA event promoted by Jorge Masvidal, stopping Alex Nicholson in just 70 seconds with a knockout that left Nicholson with a broken jaw.

Romero, 49, fighting out of American Top Team under the nickname "Soldier of God," brought his professional MMA record to 13-5-0 with the finish. The Cuban-born southpaw stands six feet tall with a 73-inch reach and has long been known for explosive takedowns and punishing ground-and-pound. Those traits were on full display as Romero shot for a takedown and followed it immediately with a punch to the jaw that forced Nicholson to tap out at the 70-second mark.

Nicholson, 36, competing under the nickname "The Spartan" and also a member of American Top Team — training out of the Orlando affiliate — holds a 7-4-0 professional record. The American stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach and carries a striking output of 4.12 significant strikes landed per minute. Despite that offensive activity on the feet, he was unable to keep the fight standing long enough to make his size advantage matter.

Why it matters

• Romero demonstrated at 49 years old that his finishing ability remains intact in the bare-knuckle MMA format.
• The finish came via a blended technique — a takedown into a single devastating punch — highlighting the unique demands of bare-knuckle MMA compared to gloved competition.
• Both fighters share ties to American Top Team, making this an unusual matchup within the same broader training organization.
• The result keeps Romero relevant on the emerging Gamebred promotion circuit built around Masvidal's post-UFC brand.