Yoel Romero knocks out Alex Nicholson in 70 seconds at Gamebred

Yoel Romero needed just 70 seconds to remind the combat sports world he remains a dangerous finisher, knocking out Alex Nicholson at Jorge Masvidal's Gamebred bare-knuckle promotion on May 2.

Romero, who goes by "Soldier of God," took Nicholson to the ground before landing a devastating punch to the jaw that broke it, forcing Nicholson to tap. The 49-year-old Cuban-born American, standing six feet tall with a 73-inch reach, carries a professional MMA record of 13-5. Fighting out of American Top Team, Romero has long been known for his explosive power and wrestling pedigree, and he converts takedowns at a rate of 1.57 per 15 minutes. His striking accuracy sits at 49 percent in MMA competition — a figure that underscores the precision behind his power.

Nicholson, nicknamed "The Spartan," came in as a 36-year-old with a 7-4 MMA record. The six-foot-four American carries a 77-inch reach and trains out of American Top Team Orlando. He lands significant strikes at a rate of 4.12 per minute in MMA at 43 percent accuracy, and while he shows some submission activity on the ground, he records no takedown attempts of his own per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• Romero, at 49, demonstrated that his knockout power has not faded, raising questions about how long he can remain competitive in combat sports.
• The result continues to build the profile of Masvidal's Gamebred promotion as an avenue attracting notable MMA veterans.
• The size disadvantage Romero faced — giving up four inches in height and a four-inch reach advantage to Nicholson — made the finish even more striking.
• Both fighters share American Top Team roots, adding an intriguing wrinkle to the matchup.