Nikolas Motta

Overview

Nikolas Motta's UFC wins end early and his UFC losses end early. Every one of the six decisions in his UFC ledger that didn't go the distance was a knockout, three for him and three against.

"Iron" is a Brazilian lightweight out of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. His UFC record is 3-3 with one no contest, and he carries a loss into his next fight. His 15-6 professional record covers all promotions, not just the UFC.

Coin-flip career. Sharp finishing power, a chin that has been tested.

UFC Career

Motta arrived in the UFC in September 2021, after a decision win over Joe Lowry on Dana White's Contender Series, which is a professional fight but not part of his UFC record. His first UFC outing, against Jim Miller in February 2022, ended in a second-round TKO loss at 1:58.

He answered in September 2022 with a first-round TKO of Cameron VanCamp at 3:49. Then came a first-round TKO loss to Manuel Torres in June 2023, over in 1:50.

The Trey Ogden fight in November 2023 was ruled a no contest (overturned) in round 3. It sits outside the win-loss column. His next fight did not: a 1:03 first-round TKO of Tom Nolan in January 2024, the fastest finish of his UFC run. A unanimous decision over Maheshate followed in November 2024, his longest win streak at two.

The streak ended in June 2025 with a second-round TKO loss to Nazim Sadykhov, an opponent our model rates as strong.

Three KO/TKO losses against two KO/TKO wins. His fights rarely wait around.

Fighting Style

Motta is a striker, and the numbers say a busy one: he lands more per minute than the typical UFC fighter. The flip side is that he absorbs more than most, and his accuracy is below the UFC average. His striking defense sits right around it.

The grappling profile is lopsided, not balanced. He almost never shoots for takedowns and almost never hunts submissions, but he is very hard to take down. Both of his UFC finishes came by KO/TKO in round 1.

Notable Wins

• Tom Nolan — KO/TKO, round 1 (1:03), UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2 (2024)
• Cameron VanCamp — KO/TKO, round 1 (3:49), UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song (2022)
• Maheshate — unanimous decision, round 3, UFC Fight Night: Yan vs Figueiredo (2024)

Quick Facts

• Division: Lightweight
• UFC record: 3-3, 1 no contest
• Professional record (all promotions): 15-6-0
• UFC debut: 2021
• Stance: Orthodox
• Height / reach: 5'9" / 70.5"
• Team: Xtreme Couture, Las Vegas, NV
• Born: Governador Valadares, Brazil