UFC middleweight Alex Nicholson had a dramatic UFC debut. He proposed to his girlfriend at the weigh-in, and she accepted. The next night he was tapped when his jaw was locked and gave an audible, even sickening crack.
The good news was the lady accepted his proposal, and Nicholson bounced back with a win over Devin Clark in August. Bad news is in May Nicholson was arrested by Orlando police on a domestic violence charge, over an alleged physical altercation at a 7-Eleven. The UFC hired a law firm to conduct an investigation, which concluded in the fighter’s favor.
“Following a third-party investigation of the matter by the law firm of Campbell & Williams, UFC was informed that no sufficient evidence exists which indicates an act of domestic violence occurred as it concerns Alex Nicholson,” said the UFC in a statement. “Both Mr. Nicholson and his fiancée were interviewed, and all reports of the matter were thoroughly reviewed. It should be noted that the investigation confirmed that the State Attorney of Florida declined to proceed with a case against Mr. Nicholson, and the case was dismissed. UFC reserves the right to reevaluate the matter should new information be made available.”
Nicholson spoke with Steven Marrocco and John Morgan for MMAjunkie to clear up what happened.
To clear that up, Patron [happened], said the fighter. I didn’t put my hands on her. We were in a 7-Eleven. She was taking the ring off to show it to somebody, dropped it, and we’re in kind of a hood area in Orlando, so I said, ‘Nobody’s going to leave 7-Eleven until we find it.’ That obviously wasn’t the smartest decision at the time.
Nicholson said a 7-Eleven employee was alarmed by the remarks and called the police.
She was still talking to her friend, and I was drunk, said Nicholson. I was like, ‘We have to get out of here.’ So I picked her up. As we came out of the store, we fell to the ground. I helped her up, and next thing I know, there’s a cop in my face. People are carrying her away, bringing her into 7-Eleven, and I’m in handcuffs.
She comes back out, and we tried to avoid the situation. But once you’re in handcuffs in Orlando, they’re taking you away. Big misunderstanding.
Nicholson did acknowledge his role, calling the situation a stupid choice. I can’t tell people they can’t leave 7-Eleven.
We’ve all been there, man – have too much to drink and make a stupid decision. But I would never put my hands on a female. I love her to death. I would die for that woman.
Nicholson fights Sam Alvey at UFC Fight Night 98 on Saturday night in Mexico City, Mexico.
