Kyle Nelson (fighter)

Kyle Nelson
Born April 20, 1991
Huntsville, Ontario, Canada
Other names Willie, The Monster
Residence Huntsville, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight 145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
Division Featherweight (2012–present)
Lightweight (2011–2012, 2015–2018, 2022)
Reach 71 in (180 cm)
Fighting out of Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada
Team House of Champions MMA
Rank Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active 2012–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 21
Wins 15
By knockout 5
By submission 4
By decision 6
Losses 5
By knockout 2
By submission 1
By decision 2
Draws 1
Amateur record
Total 3
Wins 2
By knockout 1
By submission 1
Losses 1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Kyle Nelson (born April 20, 1991) is a Canadian mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC Featherweight division. He previously competed for the RXF promotion, as well as Elite 1 MMA. Nelson is a former featherweight champion in Elite 1 MMA.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Born and raised in Huntsville, Ontario Canada, Nelson began competing in mixed martial arts in 2011. He held a 2–1 amateur record and then competed in local North American professional promotions. During this time he won the Elite 1 MMA Featherweight Championship, and also fought for the Lightweight Championship in TXC MMA. He then signed with the RXF in Romania, Europe, and after with the UFC in 2018.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Nelson made his promotional debut on December 8, 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 4, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 9. He lost the fight via submission via arm-triangle choke 3:16 into round 3.

Nelson fought next at UFC on ESPN+ 17 on September 21, 2019 against Marco Polo Reyes. He won the fight via TKO at 1:36 of round 1, earning him his first UFC victory.

Nelson was scheduled to face Sean Woodson in a catchweight bout of 150 pounds on June 27, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker. However, Nelson was pulled form the event due to visa issue and he was replaced by Julian Erosa.

Nelson faced Billy Quarantillo on September 12, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Teixeira. He lost the fight via knockout in the third round.

Nelson faced Jai Herbert on July 23, 2022 at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Nelson faced Choi Doo-ho on February 4, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 218. The fight ended via majority draw.

Nelson faced Blake Bilder on June 10, 2023, at UFC 289. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Nelson faced Fernando Padilla on September 16, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 227. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

  • Elite1 Mixed Martial Arts
    • Featherweight Championship

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
21 matches 15 wins 5 losses
By knockout 5 2
By submission 4 1
By decision 6 2
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 15–5–1 Fernando Padilla Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2 September 16, 2023 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 14–5–1 Blake Bilder Decision (unanimous) UFC 289 June 10, 2023 3 5:00 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Draw 13–5–1 Choi Doo-ho Draw (majority) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Spivak February 4, 2023 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Choi was deducted 1 point in round 3 due to a headbutt.
Loss 13–5 Jai Herbert Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall July 23, 2022 3 5:00 London, England Lightweight bout.
Loss 13–4 Billy Quarantillo KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill September 12, 2020 3 0:07 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 13–3 Polo Reyes TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Stephens September 21, 2019 1 1:36 Mexico City, Mexico
Loss 12–3 Matt Sayles Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy 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
Win 12–1 Morteza Rezaei TKO (punches) RXF 32 November 19, 2018 1 4:57 Brașov, Romania Return to Lightweight.
Win 11–1 Khama Worthy KO (punches) BTC 1: Genesis May 27, 2017 1 1:03 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Win 10–1 Gabriel Mănucă Submission (rear naked choke) RXF 26 April 25, 2017 1 3:50 Brașov, 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: Romania vs. United Kingdom 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 the 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) PFC 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 Featherweight debut.
Win 1–0 Michael Dufort Decision (unanimous) Ringside MMA 13 March 17, 2012 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada Lightweight debut. Fight of the Night.

See also