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Biography
Matheus Nicolau Pereira, better known as Matheus Nicolau, (born January 6, 1993) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who is currently signed to Future FC and Brave CF. He has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He currently competes in the bantamweight division.
Background
Nicolau began training in various forms of martial arts as a youngster. He then jiu-jitsu as a teenager before transitioning to mixed martial arts in 2010.
Mixed martial arts career
Nicolau made his professional mixed martial arts debut in August 2010 at the age of 17. He compiled a record of 10-1-1, competing primarily for various regional promotions in Brazil before trying out for The Ultimate Fighter in early 2015.
The Ultimate Fighter
In March 2015, it was announced that Nicolau was one of the fighters selected to be on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4.
In his first fight on the show, Nicolau faced Mateus Vasco. He won the fight via submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round.
In the quarterfinals, Nicolau faced off against Reginaldo Vieira. He won the fight via unanimous decision after three rounds.
In the semifinals, Nicolau faced Dileno Lopes. He lost via unanimous decision.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Nicolau made his official debut for the promotion on November 7, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 77 where he faced fellow castmate Bruno Rodrigues. He won the fight submission in the third round.
Nicolau next faced John Moraga on July 8, 2016 at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale. He won the fight via split decision.
Nicolau was expected to face Ulka Sasaki on November 19, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 100. However Nicolau was pulled from the bout on November 3 after the USADA revealed a potential anti-doping violation from a sample that was taken October 13.
Nicolau faced Louis Smolka on December 30, 2017 at UFC 219. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Nicolau faced Dustin Ortiz on July 28, 2018 at UFC on Fox 30. He lost the fight via knockout due to a head kick and follow-up punches in the first round.
In February 2019, news surfaced that Nicolau had been released from the UFC.
Post-UFC career
After the release from the UFC, Nicolau signed with Brazilian mixed martial arts promotion Future FC where he fights in the bantamweight division. In his promotional debut he faced Alan Gabriel at Future FC 5 on May 24, 2019. He won the fight via anaconda choke.
In August 2019, it was also announced that Nicolau had signed with Brave CF, making his promotional debut against Felipe Efrain at Brave CF 25 on August 31, 2019. Nicolau won the fight via unanimous decision.
In February 2020, news surfaced that Nicolau will be participating in Brave CF Flyweight tournament. In the initial round Nicolau was expected to face Jose Torres at Brave CF 35 on March 28, 2020. However, the event has been postponed until a to-be-determined date due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 18 matches | 15 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 2 |
| By submission | 5 | 0 |
| By decision | 6 | 0 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 15–2–1 | Felipe Efrain | Decision (unanimous) | Brave CF 25 | August 30, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Belo Horizonte, Brazil | |
| Win | 14–2–1 | Alan Gabriel | Submission (anaconda choke) | Future FC 5: Alves vs. Ramos | May 24, 2019 | 1 | 1:18 | São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Loss | 13–2–1 | Dustin Ortiz | KO (head kick and punches) | UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2 | July 28, 2018 | 1 | 3:49 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | |
| Win | 13–1–1 | Louis Smolka | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 219 | December 30, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 12–1–1 | John Moraga | Decision (split) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia Finale | July 8, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 11–1–1 | Bruno Mesquita | Submission (Japanese necktie) | UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson 3 | November 7, 2015 | 3 | 3:27 | São Paulo, Brazil | Bantamweight bout. |
| Win | 10–1–1 | Derinaldo Guerra da Silva | KO (punch) | Shooto Brazil 49 | August 24, 2014 | 2 | 4:35 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 9–1–1 | Pedro Arruda | KO (punch) | Brazil Fight 8 | June 6, 2014 | 1 | 2:49 | Belo Horizonte, Brazil | |
| Win | 8–1–1 | Vanderlei Carvalho Leite | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto Brazil 45 | December 20, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Loss | 7–1–1 | Pedro Nobre | TKO (punches) | Bitetti Combat 13 | December 9, 2012 | 1 | 3:11 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Bitetti Combat Flyweight Tournament Final. |
| Win | 7–0–1 | Denison Silva | Decision (unanimous) | Bitetti Combat 13 | December 9, 2012 | 2 | 5:00 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Bitetti Combat Flyweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 6–0–1 | Larry Passos Vargas | KO (punches) | Brasil Fight 6 | September 21, 2012 | 3 | 4:09 | Belo Horizonte, Brazil | |
| Win | 5–0–1 | Gilberto Dias | Decision (unanimous) | Shooto Brazil 31 | June 29, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Brasília, Brazil | |
| Win | 4–0–1 | Michael Daboville | Submission (triangle choke) | Lions FC 2 | March 12, 2012 | 1 | N/A | Neuchatel, Switzerland | |
| Win | 3–0–1 | Damien Pighiera | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Lions FC | October 15, 2011 | 2 | 4:26 | Neuchatel, Switzerland | |
| Draw | 2–0–1 | Larry Passos Vargas | Decision (unanimous) | Brazil Fight 5 | September 3, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Belo Horizonte, Brazil | |
| Win | 2–0 | Fernando Silva | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Brazil Fight 4 | April 9, 2011 | 2 | N/A | Nova Lima, Brazil | |
| Win | 1–0 | Pedro Alves Chalita | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Pedro Leopoldo Extreme Fight | August 7, 2010 | 1 | 1:35 | Pedro Leopoldo, Brazil |
Mixed martial arts exhibition record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 3 matches | 2 wins | 1 loss |
| By knockout | 0 | 0 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 2–1 | Dileno Lopes | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4 | June 14, 2015 (airdate) | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4 Semifinals round |
| Win | 2–0 | Reginaldo Vieira | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4 | April 21, 2015 (airdate) | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4 Quarterfinals round |
| Win | 1–0 | Mateus Vasco | Submission (rear-naked choke) | The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4 | April 14, 2015 (airdate) | 1 | 3:46 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4 Entry round |