Matheus Nicolau
Active 2016–present · rated in 2 editions · peak overall 81.0
Scouting report
Counter-boxing and defensive footwork allowed Matheus Nicolau to put together a four-fight UFC winning streak with victories over Matt Schnell, Tim Elliott, and Manel Kape. Hailing from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Nicolau sets submission traps and throws left hooks from the pocket. His striking and conditioning are reflected in an 86 Cardio and 84 Boxing rating.
Peak ratings
By edition
Matheus Nicolau, the Ultimate Fighter alumnus from Brazil
Matheus Nicolau made his professional debut in 2010 at 17 and went 10-1-1 on Brazil's regional circuit before trying out for The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4 in 2015. He reached the semifinals, beating Mateus Vasco by first round rear-naked choke and Reginaldo Vieira by decision before losing to Dileno Lopes. His Octagon debut later that year ended with a third round submission of a fellow castmate.
The Nicolau attributes explained
Boxing. 84. He knocked out Matt Schnell in the second round in 2022 and won a decision over Tim Elliott.
Kickboxing. 82. His striking held up well enough for wins over David Dvorak and Schnell, both in 2022.
Wrestling. 78. He can take a fight to the ground, but his record does not show a control wrestler.
BJJ. 84. Rear-naked choke on the Ultimate Fighter, a third round submission in his Octagon debut, and an anaconda choke in Future FC.
Strength. 71, the lowest rating on the card. He is a technician, not a bully.
Durability. 80. Dustin Ortiz knocked him out with a head kick in 2018, Brandon Royval stopped him in the first round in 2023, and Alex Perez did it in the second round in 2024.
Cardio. 86, his best rating. He won multiple decisions, including over Louis Smolka in 2017 and Tim Elliott in 2021.
Fight IQ. 84. He beat John Moraga by split decision in 2016 and handled the pace of his division for years.
He wins the long fights
Cardio at 86 is the top of his card, and the record backs it up. The decisions over Smolka, Elliott and Dvorak came against opponents who wanted to keep going. A game that simulates several rounds favors him against anyone who likes to burst early and fade.
No knockout threat in the tank
At 71, strength is the lowest number he has. It shows in the knockout losses to Ortiz, Royval and Perez, who each ended fights against him by strikes. He cannot power out of a bad spot or bully anyone in the clinch. Matching him against a heavy-handed flyweight puts his chin to the test.
Keep exploring
Closest flyweight profiles to Matheus Nicolau, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Sergio Pettisbest cardio 88 · weakest strength 70
- David Dvorakbest cardio 85 · weakest strength 71
- Steve Ercegbest cardio 88 · weakest strength 74
- Manel Kapebest boxing 88 · weakest strength 75
- Flyweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Protecting your streak: a guide that fits Matheus Nicolau's strongest attribute, Cardio.
Draft Matheus Nicolau into your build
Matheus Nicolau enters the pool on any spin landing on flyweight between 2023 and present. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Matheus Nicolau is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Matheus Nicolau's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.