Alex Nicholson (10-5) has largely found success on the comeback trail since being released by the UFC mid-2017. He put together three first-round knockouts over Demoreo Dennis, Chris Barnett and Daniel Madrid.
Nicholson was told he’d get the call to the UFC if he beat Ryan Spann for the LFA light heavyweight title. He gassed out late in the first round after dominating Spann and was finished, however. Now, “The Spartan” hopes the UFC will take him back if he defeats former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez at CamSoda Legends this Thursday.
“When [the UFC call] comes, it’ll be great,” Nicholson told MMASucka. “I was definitely on my way. I beat guys with great records. It just speaks for itself. It’s not like I was fighting scrubs and padding my record. I was fighting the toughest people I could find.”
He’ll have his hands full with Rodriguez, who has said he’s in the best shape he’s been in for years. But Nicholson is relishing the challenge.
“He’s a legend in the sport,” Nicholson said. “I’m looking forward to showing everything I’ve been working on.”
“I’ve never lost at heavyweight.”
Before his release, Nicholson had spent time in both the UFC’s light heavyweight and middleweight divisions. But upon his return, he’d like to give heavyweight a try.
“I’m about 220 lbs,” he said. “I can fight anyone in the world there at that heavyweight class without having to give up any weight at all. I’ve never lost at heavyweight. Through trial and error, you figure out what works for you.”
Nicholson is open to returning to light heavyweight, but was adamant he’d never cut to middleweight again.
Whether he gets signed immediately to the UFC or has to compete on the upcoming Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series, Nicholson is motivated by the light at the end of the tunnel of his comeback trail. But now he’s also fighting for something else. Rather, someone else. His nine-month old son, Odin.
“He’s definitely kept me focused,” Nicholson said. “There’s nothing more important than family in this world. I’m doing it for him now.”
Nicholson predicted he’ll land the knockout on Rodriguez when the two square off.
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