Yoel Romero, 49, knocked out Alex Nicholson in just 70 seconds at Jorge Masvidal's bare-knuckle MMA promotion. Romero shot in for a takedown, brought Nicholson down, and then landed a devastating strike to the jaw that broke it. Nicholson immediately tapped out in submission due to the injury. The 35-year-old Nicholson, who holds a 22-17 MMA record according to varying sources, was unable to continue after the brutal blow. The quick finish demonstrated that Romero remains a dangerous finisher despite his advanced age.
Yoel Romero needed just 70 seconds to finish Alex Nicholson at Jorge Masvidal's bare-knuckle MMA promotion, dropping the 36-year-old with a strike that broke his jaw and forced an immediate tapout due to injury.
Romero initiated the sequence with a takedown, brought Nicholson to the ground, and then delivered a devastating blow to the jaw that ended the fight on the spot. Nicholson tapped immediately, unable to continue after sustaining the fracture. The finish was brutal even by bare-knuckle standards.
The 49-year-old Romero, known as the Soldier of God, carries a 13-5 professional MMA record and trains out of American Top Team. The Cuban-born, six-foot southpaw has a career striking accuracy of 49 percent and averages 1.57 takedowns per 15 minutes — the takedown threat that set up Friday's finish very much still part of his arsenal at an age when most fighters have long retired.
Nicholson, nicknamed The Spartan, is a 36-year-old American fighter who stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach and also trains out of American Top Team Orlando. His verified MMA record stands at 7-4. He averages 4.12 significant strikes landed per minute and connects at a 43 percent striking accuracy rate, though he had no answer for Romero's grappling once the fight hit the mat.
Why it matters
- Romero, at 49, demonstrated he remains a legitimate finishing threat in combat sports, regardless of format.
- The result raises questions about Nicholson's path back to competition following a jaw fracture.
- The bout adds visibility to Masvidal's bare-knuckle MMA venture, which attracted a notable name in Romero.
- Style-wise, Nicholson's length and striking output were neutralized the moment Romero closed the distance and secured the takedown.
