Mike Perry is taking the blame for Alex Nicholson’s rough night in Russia.
A 32-year-old UFC and PFL veteran, Nicholson suffered a brutal loss at the hands of Vagab Vagabov on Friday, getting outclassed and knocked out late in the opening round of a boxing match held in a cage and contested with four-ounce gloves, which took place in the main event of the REN TV Fight Club Super Series in Moscow.
Vagabov, a Russian light heavyweight with a 30-1-1 MMA record and 3-1 professional boxing record, consistently found a home for his thudding hooks and had Nicholson swinging at air until one final straight left hand sent the American down to the canvas for good. You can watch the video above of Vagabov winning by knockout.
Fellow UFC Veteran and BKFC Standout Mike Perry was with Nicholson during the trip. He ultimately took the blame for Nicholson’s poor performance and accompanied him on his journey.
“I failed my friend tonight,” Perry wrote on Twitter. It wasn’t his fault. He had the courage, and I failed to give him the basics he required. When they made it a boxing match our game plan to brawl should’ve changed. His bravery was admirable and he needed someone more knowledgeable .”
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The loss snapped a four-fight win streak for Nicholson which spanned victories in bare-knuckle MMA, kickboxing, and MMA, the latter of which saw Nicholson crowned as the Titan FC heavyweight champion with a first-round submission of Oscar Sosa in July.
I failed my friend tonight. He was the one who had the guts and I failed to give him the basics he required. Our game plan for brawls should have changed when they turned it into a boxing match. He was courageous and required someone more knowledgeable about the game. #SpartanLove
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) September 30, 2022
