UFC light heavyweight Alex Nicholson had perhaps the most successful weigh-in in UFC history. He made weight successfully, and his fiancee said yes when, on bent knee, he proposed on stage. And Nicholson’s debut fight was on the main card of UFC Fight Night 82. However, it did not go his way.

In the second round, Latvian-Canadian Misha Cirkunov secured a face lock, and when he started to crank, Nicholson’s face contorted. Suddenly there was a can’t-be-unheard snap, and Nicholson tapped, for the first time in his career. He immediately clutched his jaw with concern.

In interviews prior to the fight, Nicholson detailed that he had previously broken a jaw. As anyone who has had one will attest, it is not an experience you want to repeat.

“He got my neck and he’s so strong,” explained Nicholson afterwards. “I’ve broken my jaw before and I heard it pop and I really didn’t want my jaw wired shut again so I tapped, even though I never tap.”

Cirkunov too commented afterwards.

I watched a lot of video of Demian Maia, and that’s where I learned that choke from, he said. I know I had opportunities to finish in the first round, but I heard there was only 10 or 15 seconds left, so I decided to have a little fun. The division better start knowing who I am, or I’m going to come in and do the same thing to the rest of them.

UFC vice president of public relations Dave Sholler expressed concern afterwards.

“Nicholson has a jaw fracture, likely to require surgery,” he said.

The jaw did not ultimately end up being broken. Nicholson will fight again in the Octagon. And the light heavyweight division has a new prospect. If they didn’t before, they now know who Misha Cirkunov is.