Nico Musoke
{{short description|Swedish mixed martial arts fighter}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Nico Musoke
| image =
| image_size =
| other_names = Nicholas Musoke
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|04|05}}
| birth_place = Botkyrka, Stockholm, Sweden
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| residence =
| nationality = Swedish
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}
| weight_lb = 170
| weight_class = Welterweight (2007–2017)
Middleweight (2013, 2018–present)
| reach = 75 in{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/event/ufc-fight-night-stockholm-sweden/printFightCard|title=Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Gustafsson vs. Johnson|publisher=UFC|access-date=January 25, 2015}}
| style =
| stance = Baby Deer
| fighting_out_of = Stockholm, Sweden
| team = Rinkeby Muay Thai
Tristar Gym
| rank = Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu{{cite web|url=https://www.ufcespanol.com/athlete/nico-musoke|title=Nico Musoke - Official UFC Fighter Profile|publisher=UFC|access-date=January 25, 2015}}
| years_active = 2007–present
| mma_kowin = 4
| mma_subwin = 5
| mma_decwin = 7
| mma_koloss = 1
| mma_subloss = 1
| mma_decloss = 3
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc = 1
| am_win =
| am_kowin =
| am_subwin =
| am_loss = 1
| am_koloss =
| am_subloss =
| am_draw =
| am_nc =
| url = http://nicomusoke.com/
| sherdog = 26160
| footnotes =
| updated =
}}
Nicholas "Nico" Musoke (born April 5, 1986) is a Swedish mixed martial artist who competes in the middleweight division of Swedish promotion Superior Challenge.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmaviking.com/nico-musoke-returns-at-superior-challenge-18/|title=Nico Musoke Returns at Superior Challenge 18|author=Ryan O'Leary|date=September 12, 2018|publisher=mmaviking.com}} A professional mixed martial artist since 2007, Musoke has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Mixed martial arts career
=Early career=
Musoke began his MMA career as an amateur in 2005 taking on Jasper Gunnarsson in a losing effort via split decision. He then made his pro debut two years later at Shooto Finland against Tomi Hietanen. He won via rear-naked choke in the first round. Nico then won his following three fights ending all of them in the first round with two of them ending in less than 50 seconds.
Musoke suffered his first professional loss at the hands of future BAMMA and UFC fighter Danny Mitchell, via armbar in the second round. He bounced back from the loss with a TKO win over Wiktor Sobczyk at BOB 3.
On June 18, 2011, he took part in a four-man tournament held by On Top Promotions where the winner would leave as the OTP Welterweight champion.{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/On-Top-2-Fight-Card-33220|title=OT - On Top 2 Fight card|publisher=sherdog.com|date=2011-06-15}}
In the first fight he suffered his second career loss, this time by decision against future Cage Warriors Welterweight Champion and fellow future UFC fighter Cathal Pendred.
However, before the final could take place Pendred was forced out due to injury. Musoke took his place and defeated another fellow future UFC fighter in Stevie Ray by submission due to a rear naked choke at the end of the first round to become the OTP Welterweight champion.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/other-sports/mixed-night-for-welterweight-champion-musoke-at-on-top-2-x.14119559|title=Mixed night for welterweight champion Musoke at On Top 2|publisher=heraldscotland.com|date=2011-06-19}}
Since then Musoke had gone 4-0 (1) in his last 5 fights, including one defense of his OTP-title,{{cite web|url=http://www.mmaviking.com/nico-musoke-results-at-on-top-5/|title=Swede Nico Musoke wins in 1st round TKO at On Top 5|publisher=mmaviking.com|date=2012-06-02}} before getting the call from the UFC.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmaviking.com/nico-musoke-signed-to-the-ufc-meets-alessio-sakara-at-ufc-fn-30/|title=Nico Musoke signed to the UFC, meets Alessio Sakara at UFC FN 30|publisher=mmaviking.com|date=2013-10-10}}
=Ultimate Fighting Championship=
Musoke moved to Middleweight to make his UFC debut against long time UFC veteran Alessio Sakara, filling in for the injured Magnus Cedenblad at UFC Fight Night 30.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/10/nicholas-musoke-meets-alessio-sakara-at-ufc-fight-night-30-in-manchester|title=Nicholas Musoke meets Alessio Sakara at UFC Fight Night 30 in Manchester}} He won the fight in the first round via armbar.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/10/ufc-fight-night-30-results-nicholas-musoke-vs-alessio-sakara|title=UFC Fight Night 30 results: Newcomer Nicholas Musoke taps out Alessio Sakara}} He earned Submission of the Night honors.{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1825815-ufc-fight-night-30-results-recapping-the-fight-night-bonuses|title=UFC Fight Night 30 Results: Recapping the Fight Night Bonuses}}
Musoke dropped back to welterweight and faced Viscardi Andrade on February 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 36.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2013/11/26/viscardi-andrade-vs-nicholas-musoke-joins-ufc-fight-night-36-fight-card-in-brazil/|title=Viscardi Andrade vs. Nicholas Musoke joins UFC Fight Night 36 fight card in Brazil|publisher=mmajunkie.com.|author=Dan Stupp|date=2013-11-26|access-date=2013-11-26}} Despite being dropped and almost finished in the first round by Andrade, Musoke was able to recover quickly and take control of the fight, rocking Andrade on their feet in round 2 and control the action on the ground in round 3. His performance earned him the unanimous decision victory.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmamania.com/2014/2/15/5415734/ufc-fight-night-36-results-nicholas-musoke-wins-decision-over-viscardi-andrade|title=UFC Fight Night 36 results: Nicholas Musoke wins decision over Viscardi Andrade|publisher=mmamania.com|date=2014-02-15}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2014/2/15/5415794/ufc-fight-night-36-results-niko-musoke-survives-thrives-against|title=UFC Fight Night 36 results: Nico Musoke survives, thrives against Viscardi Andrade|publisher=mmafighting.com|date=2014-02-15}}
On June 28, 2014, Musoke fought Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Fight Night 44 in San Antonio, Texas.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/04/kelvin-gastelum-vs-nico-musoke-booked-for-ufc-fight-night-in-san-antonio|title=Kelvin Gastelum vs Nico Musoke booked for UFC Fight Night in San Antonio|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=2014-04-09}} Prior to the fight, Gastelum missed weight by one and three-quarter pounds and forfeited 20% of his fight purse to Musoke.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/06/ufc-fight-night-44-live-and-official-weigh-in-results|title=UFC Fight Night 44 weigh-in results: Headliners on weight, but Gastelum heavy|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|access-date=2014-06-28|date=2014-06-28}} After a good and fairly dominant first round from Musoke, Gastelum rallied to win the next two rounds convincingly resulting in a unanimous decision loss for Musoke.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/06/ufc-fight-night-44-kelvin-gastelum-vs-nicholas-musoke-full-fight-video-highlights/|title=UFC Fight Night 44: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Nicholas Musoke full fight video highlights|publisher=mmajunkie.com.}}
Musoke was briefly linked to a bout with Amir Sadollah on October 4, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 53.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2014/7/24/5933941/amir-sadollah-returns-from-two-year-absence-meets-niko-musoke-in|title=Amir Sadollah returns from two-year absence, meets Niko Musoke in Sweden|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Dave Doyle|date=2014-07-24|access-date=2014-07-24}} However, Sadollah was pulled from the pairing with Musoke in favor of a bout with Yoshihiro Akiyama on September 20, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 52.{{cite web|url=http://insidefights.com/2014/08/07/amir-sadollah-to-forego-match-against-nico-musoke-tapped-to-replace-kyle-noke-against-yoshihiro-akiyama/|title=Amir Sadollah to forego match against Nico Musoke, tapped to replace Kyle Noke against Yoshihiro Akiyama|publisher=insidefights.com|date=2014-08-07}} Musoke instead faced Alexander Yakovlev.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/08/alexander-yakovlev-replaces-amir-sadollah-at-ufc-fight-night-53-in-sweden|title=Alexander Yakovlev replaces Amir Sadollah at UFC Fight Night 53 in Sweden |publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2014-08-08|access-date=2013-08-08}} He won the fight by unanimous decision.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/10/ufc-fight-night-53-results-nico-musoke-sweeps-cards-to-beat-alexander-yakovlev|title=UFC Fight Night 53 results: Nico Musoke sweeps cards to beat Alexander Yakolev|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=2014-10-04}}
Musoke faced Albert Tumenov on January 24, 2015, at UFC on Fox 14.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/11/nico-musoke-vs-albert-tumenov-set-for-januarys-ufc-on-fox-14-in-stockholm|title=Nico Musoke vs. Albert Tumenov set for January's UFC on FOX 14 in Stockholm|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2014-10-04|access-date=2014-11-13}} He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
After an extended hiatus, Musoke returned to face Bojan Veličković on May 28, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 109.{{cite news|url=http://mmadna.nl/nico-musoke-maakte-lang-verwachte-rentree-tegen-bojan-velickovic-in-stockholm|title=Nico Musoke returns after long layoff against Bojan Velickovic in Stockholm|publisher=mmadna.nl|author=Marcel Dorff|date=2017-03-31|access-date=2017-03-31|language=nl}} In a back-and-forth fight, he lost by knockout in the last minute of the third round when Veličković connected with a right hook to the temple, causing Musoke to become wobbled and fall to the ground .{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/05/ufc-fight-night-109-results-bojan-velickovic-tko-nico-musoke-shaky-legs|title=UFC Fight Night 109 results: Bojan Velickovic TKOs Nico Musoke in final minute of close fight and he danced to his loss.|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Ben Fowlkes|date=2017-05-28|access-date=2017-05-28}}
=Post-UFC career=
On September 12, 2018 - over a year after his last fight in the UFC - it was announced that Musoke had signed a contract with his native Superior Challenge and will be moving up to middleweight. In his promotional return, Musoke faced Daniel Acácio at Superior Challenge 18 on December 1, 2018. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Musoke then fought for the Superior Challenge Middleweight Championship against Dylan Andrews at Superior Challenge 19 on May 11, 2019. He won the fight via unanimous decision and claimed the title.
As the first title defense, Musoke faced Marcelo Alfaya at Superior Challenge 20 on December 7, 2019. He successfully defended the title by winning the bout via unanimous decision.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmaviking.com/live-results-superior-challenge-20/|title=Live Results : Superior Challenge 20|date=December 7, 2019|publisher=mmaviking.com}}
Championships and accomplishments
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Submission of the Night (One time) vs. Alessio Sakara{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-Fight-Night-30-Bonuses-Machida-Musoke-Barnatt-Craig-Earn-3650000-Each-58381|title=UFC Fight Night 30 Bonuses: Machida, Musoke, Barnatt, Craig earn $50,000 each|publisher=sherdog.com|date=2013-10-26}}
- Superior Challenge
- SC Middleweight Championship (One time; Current)
- One successful title defense
- On Top Promotions
- OTP Welterweight Championship (One time){{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/events/OT-On-Top-2-16986|title=OT - On Top 2 results|publisher=sherdog.com|date=2011-06-18}}
- One successful title defense{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/events/OT-On-Top-5-22407|title=OT - On Top 5 results|publisher=sherdog.com|date=2012-06-02}}
- OTP 2011 Welterweight Tournament winner
- Nordic MMA Awards - MMAViking.com
- 2013 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year{{cite web|url=http://www.mmaviking.com/2013-breakthrough-fighter-nico-musoke/|title=2013 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year: Nico Musoke|publisher=mmaviking.com|date=2013-12-12}}
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
|ko-wins=4
|ko-losses=1
|sub-wins=5
|sub-losses=1
|dec-wins=7
|dec-losses=3
|nc=1
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|{{nowrap|16–5 (1)}}
|Marcelo Alfaya
|Decision (unanimous)
|Superior Challenge 20
|{{dts|2019|December|7}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Stockholm, Sweden
|{{small|Defended the SC Middleweight Championship.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|15–5 (1)
|Decision (unanimous)
|Superior Challenge 19
|{{dts|2019|May|11}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Stockholm, Sweden
|{{small|Won the SC Middleweight Championship.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|14–5 (1)
|Decision (unanimous)
|Superior Challenge 18
|{{dts|2018|December|1}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Stockholm, Sweden
|{{small|Return to middleweight.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|13–5 (1)
|KO (punches)
|UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Teixeira
|{{dts|2017|May|28}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|4:37
|Stockholm, Sweden
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|13–4 (1)
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC on Fox: Gustafsson vs. Johnson
|{{dts|2015|January|24}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Stockholm, Sweden
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|13–3 (1)
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Story
|{{dts|2014|October|4}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Stockholm, Sweden
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|12–3 (1)
|Decision (unanimous)
| UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens
| {{dts|2014|June|28}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
| San Antonio, Texas, United States
|{{small|Catchweight (172.75 lbs) bout; Gastelum missed weight.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 12–2 (1)
| Decision (unanimous)
|UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Mousasi
|{{dts|2014|February|15}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 11–2 (1)
|Submission (armbar)
|UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Munoz
|{{dts|2013|October|26}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:07
|Manchester, England
|{{small|Middleweight bout. Submission of the Night.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 10–2 (1)
|Alexander Landaeta Utrera
| Decision (unanimous)
|Golden Ring: Wallberg vs. Prazak
|{{dts|2013|June|14}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Stockholm, Sweden
|
|-
| {{nocontest}}NC
|align=center| 9–2 (1)
|No Contest (judging error)
|Vision FC 5: Finale
|{{dts|2012|December|1}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Stockholm, Sweden
|{{small|Originally a majority draw; overturned due to a judging error.[http://mmanytt.se/vision-fighting-championship/vision-5-mickael-lebout-vs-nicholas-musoke-andrad-till-en-no-contest-efter-domarfel/ Vision 5: Mickael Lebout vs Nicholas Musoke ändrad till en No Contest efter domarfel]}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 9–2
|Dean Caldwell
| TKO (punches)
|OTP: On Top 5
|{{dts|2012|June|2}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:49
|Glasgow, Scotland
|{{small|Defended the OTP Welterweight Championship.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 8–2
|Kai Puolakka
| Submission (guillotine choke)
|Cage 18: Turku
|{{dts|2012|March|3}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|1:39
|Turku, Finland
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 7–2
|Olli Jaakko Uitto
| Decision (unanimous)
|Cage 16: 1st Defense
|{{dts|2011|October|8}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Espoo, Finland
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 6–2
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
|OTP: On Top 2
|{{dts|2011|June|18}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|4:56
|Glasgow Scotland
|{{small|Won the OTP Welterweight Championship. OTP Welterweight Tournament Final.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
|align=center| 5–2
| Decision (unanimous)
|OTP: On Top 2
|{{dts|2011|June|18}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|5:00
|Glasgow, Scotland
|{{small|OTP Welterweight Tournament Semifinal.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 5–1
|Wiktor Sobczyk
| TKO (punches)
|Battle of Botnia 3
|{{dts|2010|December|4}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:08
|Umeå, Sweden
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
|align=center| 4–1
| Submission (armbar)
|Superior Challenge 6
|{{dts|2010|October|29}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|1:56
|Stockholm, Sweden
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 4–0
|Premysl Nemec
| TKO (punches)
|Superior Challenge 5
|{{dts|2010|May|1}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:49
|Stockholm, Sweden
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 3–0
|Jeppe Fausing
| KO (punch)
|Fighter Gala 9
|{{dts|2009|August|30}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:12
|Elsinore, Denmark
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 2–0
|Fredrik Klingsell
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
|The Zone FC 1
|{{dts|2008|February|9}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:16
|Stockholm, Sweden
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 1–0
|Tomi Hietanen
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Shooto Finland: Chicago Collision 3
|{{dts|2007|November|17}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:47
|Lahti, Finland
|
|-
{{end}}
See also
References
External links
- {{UFC|nico-musoke|Nico Musoke}}
- {{Sherdog|name=Nicholas Musoke}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Musoke, Nicholas}}
Category:Middleweight mixed martial artists
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Category:Swedish male mixed martial artists
Category:Swedish people of Ugandan descent
Category:Swedish practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Category:Martial artists from Stockholm
Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters