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

Yoel Romero added another highlight to his combat sports legacy on May 2, 2026, stopping Alex Nicholson by knockout at a Gamebred bare-knuckle MMA event promoted by former UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal.

Romero, nicknamed "Soldier of God," is 49 years old and carries a professional MMA record of 13-5. The southpaw stands six feet tall with a 73-inch reach and trains out of American Top Team. Known throughout his career for his explosive athleticism and finishing ability, Romero posted a striking accuracy of 49 percent in UFC competition — a figure that underlines the precision behind his power. He also averaged 1.57 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a multi-dimensional threat even when the gloves come off.

Nicholson, who goes by "The Spartan," enters the loss at 36 years old. The American Top Team Orlando product stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach — advantages in size that ultimately were not enough to neutralize Romero's assault. His UFC-era numbers show he averaged 4.12 significant strikes landed per minute, suggesting an active output on the feet, but his 43 percent striking accuracy left room for counters. His record now sits at 7-4 in MMA competition per verified data.

Why it matters

• Romero, at 49, continues to demonstrate finishing power in combat sports outside the traditional UFC framework
• The result reinforces the Gamebred promotion's ability to attract recognizable names from MMA's recent past
• Nicholson's size advantages — three inches in height and four inches in reach over Romero — proved irrelevant against Romero's finishing instincts
• The bare-knuckle format placed a premium on precision, an area where Romero's 49 percent accuracy gave him a meaningful edge