Introduction
Kyle Nelson (born April 20, 1991) is a Canadian mixed martial artist who is currently competing in the UFC featherweight division and had previously won the Elite 1 MMA Featherweight Championship.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Born and raised in Huntsville, Ontario Canada, Nelson began competing in mixed martial arts in 2011. He competed in smaller promotions earning an impressive record of 12–1. During this time he won the Elite 1 MMA Featherweight Championship, and also fought for the Lightweight Championship in TXC MMA. He signed with the UFC in 2018
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Nelson made his promotional debut on December 8th, 2018, on short notice against Carlos Diego Ferreira, replacing Jesse Ronson at UFC 231. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.
Returning to Featherweight Nelson next faced Matt Sayles on May 4th, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 9. Despite success throughout the fight he would lose by submission via triangle choke 3:16 into round 3.
Nelson fought next at UFC on ESPN+ 17 on September 21st, 2019 against Marco Polo Reyes. He won the fight via TKO at 1:36 of round 1, earning him his first UFC victory.
Championships and accomplishments
- Elite1 Mixed Martial Arts
- Featherweight Championship
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 16 matches | 13 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 1 |
| By submission | 4 | 1 |
| By decision | 4 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 13–3 | Polo Reyes | TKO (punches) | UFC on ESPN+ 17 | Sep 21, 2019 | 1 | 1:36 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Loss | 12–3 | Matt Sayles | Submission (triangle choke) | UFC on ESPN+ 9 | May 4, 2019 | 3 | 3:16 | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Return to Featherweight. |
| Loss | 12–2 | Carlos Diego Ferreira | TKO (punches) | UFC 231 | December 8, 2018 | 2 | 1:23 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Lightweight bout. |
| Win | 12–1 | Morteza Rezaei | TKO (punches) | RXF MMA 32 | November 19, 2018 | 1 | 4:57 | Brasov, Romania | Lightweight bout. |
| Win | 11–1 | Khama Worthy | KO (punches) | BTC 1: Genesis | May 27, 2017 | 1 | 1:03 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 10–1 | Gabriel Manuca | Submission (rear naked choke) | RXF 26: Brașov Fight Night 2 | April 25, 2017 | 1 | 3:50 | Brasov, Romania | Lightweight bout. |
| Win | 9–1 | Jonathan Brookins | Decision (split) | Fight Night 2 | October 28, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada | |
| Win | 8–1 | Zoltán Turi | Submission (rear naked choke) | RXF 23: Judgment Day | June 6, 2016 | 1 | 1:23 | Bucharest, Romania | |
| Win | 7–1 | Justin Bourgeois | TKO (Punches) | Elite 1 MMA | April 23, 2016 | 1 | 2:01 | Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada | Won vacant Elite1 MMA Featherweight Championship. |
| Loss | 6–1 | Adrian Hadribeaj | Decision (unanimous) | TXC Legends 6 | September 12, 2015 | 5 | 5:00 | Novi, Michigan, United States | For the TXC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–0 | Ainsley Robinson | Submission (guillotine choke) | SCC 2 | May 30, 2014 | 1 | 0:42 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 5–0 | Alex Halkias | Decision (unanimous) | Provincial FC 2 | March 8, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | London, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 4–0 | Neelan Hordatt | Decision (split) | ECC 11: Redemption | June 29, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 3–0 | Maxime Dubois | TKO (punches) | UGC 32: Moment de Vérité | May 10, 2013 | 2 | 1:36 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
| Win | 2–0 | Jo Petahtegoose | Submission (armbar) | Score Fighting Series 6 | September 19, 2012 | 1 | 2:54 | Sarnia, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 1–0 | Michael Dufort | Decision (unanimous) | Ringside MMA 13 | March 17, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Lightweight bout. |