Matheus Nicolau scores quick finish in first post-UFC fight

Matheus Nicolau was one of the victims of the apparent extinction of the UFC’s flyweight division, and he made the most of his first bout outside of the Octagon.

After having his opponent switched twice leading up to Friday night’s Future FC 5 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Nicolau finished Alan Gabriel with a d’arce choke in only 78 seconds.

It was Nicolau’s first fight at bantamweight since competing on TUF Brazil 4 and debuting in the UFC in 2015, a move that he’s done eyeing a possible return to the UFC in the future.

Nicolau competed under the UFC banner between 2015 and 2018, scoring wins over Bruno Mesquita, John Moraga and Louis Smolka, but parted ways with the company following a first-round defeat to Dustin Ortiz last July.

In the main event of Future FC 5, Adriano Ramos improved to 11-3 in MMA, 2-0 under the promotion’s banner in 2019, with a second-round rear naked choke over Elton Alves, becoming FFC’s first-ever titleholder by capturing the flyweight title.

With FFC’s partnership with North American promotion LFA, Ramos is now hoping to fight for the LFA flyweight gold. Maikel Perez, who claimed the vacant title in April, is set to defend the throne against former UFC fighter Brandon Moreno on June 7.

The full FFC 5 event is available below. The 125-pound title bout starts at the 4:51:21 mark.

Adriano Ramos def. Elton Alves via submission (rear-naked choke) (R2, 3:57)
Matheus Nicolau def. Alan Gabriel via submission (d’arce choke) (R1, 1:18)
Bruce Souto def. Willian Cilli via majority decision (28-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Elismar Lima def. Antonio Carlos Ribeiro via KO (R3, 4:35)
Ariane Carnelossi def. Ketlen Souza via TKO (R3, 3:53)
Edilceu Alves def. Welington Kakaroto via TKO (retirement) (R3, 1:09)
Vanessa Melo def. Mariana Morais via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Taigro Costa def. Claudio Marcelino via submission (rear-naked choke) (R3, 4:32)
Flavio Queiroz def. Elvis Picanco via TKO (R1, 2:45)
Rander Junior def. Antonio Paulo via submission (rear-naked choke) (R1, 2:11)
Bruno Viana def. Maicon Miller via submission (guillotine choke) (R1, 2:04)
Magnus Kelly def. Luan Oliveira via TKO (R1, 2:00)
Augusto Matias def. Alan Francis via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)