Yoel Romero, at 49 years old, knocked out Alex Nicholson in Jorge Masvidal's bare-knuckle MMA promotion, breaking Nicholson's jaw in the process. Romero secured a takedown and landed a devastating strike to the jaw that forced Nicholson to tap out in submission. The fight lasted just 70 seconds before the finish. Nicholson, 35 years old with a record reported as 22-17 in MMA, suffered the broken jaw and was forced to concede defeat. The victory demonstrates Romero's continued power and effectiveness despite his advanced age in combat sports.
Yoel Romero, the 49-year-old former UFC middleweight title contender, delivered a brutal first-round knockout of Alex Nicholson at Jorge Masvidal's bare-knuckle MMA promotion on May 2, finishing the fight in just 70 seconds and reportedly breaking Nicholson's jaw in the process.
Romero, nicknamed "Soldier of God," carries a 13-5 record and trains out of American Top Team. Standing six feet tall with a 73-inch reach, the southpaw Cuban-American remains one of combat sports' most physically imposing athletes at an age when most fighters have long since retired. His career striking accuracy sits at 49 percent, and he averages 1.57 takedowns per 15 minutes — a well-rounded threat that was on full display in this finish. He secured a takedown before landing the jaw-breaking strike that forced Nicholson to tap out.
Nicholson, 36, known as "The Spartan," holds a 7-4 record and also trains out of American Top Team, though a different affiliate based in Orlando. The six-foot-four orthodox fighter carries a 77-inch reach advantage and lands 4.12 significant strikes per minute, making him a credible offensive presence. Despite that output, he was unable to survive the early pressure Romero applied before the stoppage came.
Why it matters
- Romero's power and finishing ability remain intact at 49, a remarkable demonstration of longevity in combat sports.
- The finish came via tapout after a broken jaw, an unusual and violent ending that underscores the risks of bare-knuckle MMA competition.
- Both fighters share ties to American Top Team, adding an unusual intra-camp dimension to the matchup.
- The result keeps Romero relevant in the bare-knuckle and crossover combat scene despite being well past typical fighting age.
