Matheus Nicolau ready to capitalize on Matt Schnell’s mistakes

Flyweight contender Matheus Nicolau isn’t exactly expecting an easy fight at UFC Orlando, but the 29-year-old sounds highly confident he’ll get the win. Paired…

By: Lucas Rezende | 10 months ago
Matheus Nicolau ready to capitalize on Matt Schnell’s mistakes
Bloody Elbow 2.0 | Anton Tabuena

Flyweight contender Matheus Nicolau isn’t exactly expecting an easy fight at UFC Orlando, but the 29-year-old sounds highly confident he’ll get the win. Paired up against Matt Schnell, the Brazilian has respect for his opponent’s strengths, while feeling like he has what it takes to overcome yet another challenge.

In an interview with Ag Fight, Nicolau analyzed Schell’s skills, praising both his striking and grappling. He’s also sure that he’s prepared for anything ‘Danger’ can bring to the Octagon.

“Matt Schnell is a very well-rounded guy,” Nicolau explained, “just like most guys in the flyweight division and the lighter divisions, too, where athletes are more versatile. It’s hard to see a guy who’s really good at one thing and then lacking in another. Everyone’s very well-rounded and Schnell is not different. He has a good karate background, actually. He started out in karate.”

“He has developed a good grappling game, too.” Nicolau said. “His record shows that, he has some submission wins. He’s dangerous, but I’m ready. Wherever he makes a mistake against me, be it on the feet or on the ground, I’m going to capitalize. Wherever he makes a mistake, I’m going to capitalize on it and get the win.”

Currently on a three-fight winning streak, Nicolau (17-2) has already defeated David Dvorak, Tim Elliott and Manel Kape since rejoining the UFC, back in March 2021. The 29-year-old’s latest loss took place in his last Octagon fight prior to being released, back in July 2018, when he got knocked out by Dustin Ortiz.

Nicolau is expected to take on Schnell at UFC Orlando, in Florida, on December 3. The card is scheduled to be headlined by welterweights Stephen Thompson and Kevin Holland.



UFC Fight Night ORLANDO: Thompson vs. Holland Fight Poster

Live! Stream UFC Fight Night ORLANDO on ESPN+

WELTERWEIGHT SHOWDOWN – Stephen Thompson vs. Kevin Holland — DEC 3: Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to Florida at the Amway Center in Orlando, on Saturday, December 3rd, 2022, with an exciting, much-anticipated 170lb Welterweightweight tilt between Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson (16-6) and Kevin ‘Trailblazer’ Holland (23-8).

In UFC Orlando’s co-main event, hard-hitting Lightweights go to war when Rafael ‘RDA’ dos Anjos squares off with the ‘African Savage’, Bryan Barberena.

Plus — we will be treated to a Flyweight scrap between Matheus Nicolau and Matt ‘Danger’ Schnell, as well as a top contenders Heavyweight brawl, pitting Tai ‘Bam Bam’ Tuivasa against Sergei Pavlovich. The main card doesn’t stop there, don’t miss two Middleweight bouts — we will see Eryk Anders take on Kyle Daukaus and Derek Brunson vs. Jack ‘The Joker’ Hermansson, as all the above are on the main card of this UFC Fight Night Event! Tune-in for a stacked 15-bout event…

Don’t miss a single second of face-punching action!

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About the author
Lucas Rezende
Lucas Rezende

Lucas Rezende is a Brazilian journalist and writer from Belem, Para. He has been covering MMA since 2012 and contributing with Bloody Elbow since March 2015. When not writing, Lucas also teaches English. In his free time, he enjoys reading, slapping the bass guitar and traveling.

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