Introduction
Michelle Zonato Nicolini or Michelle Nicolini (born January 5, 1982) is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and mixed martial artist. She holds a black belt under Robert Drysdale.She has one of the most outstanding competitive grappling and BJJ records of all time.With 8x gold medals, as of Worlds 2019, she holds second place for most IBJJF World Championship titles at black belt level behind Beatriz Mesquita.
In 2015 Nicolini competed twice at Polaris Pro Grappling events beating Angelica Galvao via toehold and losing to Gezary Matuda via armbar.
She is currently signed to the ONE Championship MMA organisation and was previously signed with Legacy Fighting Championship.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Competitive Summary
In the major IBJJF gi championships at black belt level she is a:-
8x World Championship champion
3x Pan-American Championship champion
3x European Championship champion
3x Brazilian Nationals champion
In the major IBJJF Nogi championships at black belt level she is a:-
4x World Nogi Championship champion
2x Pan Ams Nogi Championship champion
2x Euros Nogi Championship champion
She is also a 4x ADCC medal winner – 1x Gold, 2x Silver and 1x Bronze.
By winning the Brazilian Nationals Nogi Championship Michelle would become the first female athlete to complete a clean sweep of winning a gold medal at black belt level in both gi and no-gi at all four major championships.
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 8 matches | 6 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 0 | 0 |
| By submission | 5 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 2 |
| No contests | 0 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 6–2 | Angela Lee | Decision (unanimous) | ONE Championship: Masters of Destiny | July 12, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia | |
| Loss | 5–2 | Tiffany Teo | Decision (unanimous) | ONE Championship: Heart of the Lion | November 9, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Win | 5–1 | Iryna Kyselova | Submission (rear naked choke) | ONE Championship: Visions of Victory | March 9, 2018 | 1 | 2:26 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | |
| Win | 4–1 | Irina Mazepa | Submission (armbar) | ONE Championship: Kings of Destiny | April 21, 2017 | 1 | 2:11 | Manila, Philippines | |
| Win | 3–1 | Mona Samir | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ONE Championship: Defending Honor | November 16, 2016 | 1 | 2:16 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Loss | 2–1 | Norma Rueda Center | Decision (unanimous) | Legacy FC 36 | October 17, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | |
| Win | 2–0 | Lanchana Green | Submission (armbar) | M4TC 13: Nemesis | February 22, 2014 | 1 | 2:27 | Tyne and Wear, England | |
| Win | 1–0 | Cristina Meija | Submission (armbar) | Inka FC 11 | June 23, 2011 | 1 | 2:36 | Santiago de Surco, Peru |