Nicolae Negumereanu

{{Infobox martial artist

| name = Nicolae Negumereanu

| other_names =

| image =

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name = Nicolae Negumereanu

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|09|04}}

| birth_place = Brașov, Romania

| death_date =

| death_place =

| death_cause =

| residence =

| nationality = Romanian

| height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}

| weight = {{convert|206|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}

| weight_class = Heavyweight
Light Heavyweight

| reach = 74 in{{Cite web|title=Stats {{!}} UFC|url=http://www.ufcstats.com/fighter-details/8c57c7b8c3bab0eb|website=ufcstats.com}}

| style = Wrestling

| stance = Orthodox[https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/bio/_/id/4417235/nicolae-negumereanu ESPN Profile]

| fighting_out_of = Brașov, Romania

| trainer = Ninel Ianculescu

| team = Corona Brașov

| rank =

| wrestling = Freestyle Wrestling

| years_active = 2016–present

| mma_kowin = 8

| mma_subwin = 3

| mma_decwin = 2

| mma_dqwin =

| mma_otherwin =

| mma_koloss = 1

| mma_subloss =

| mma_decloss = 1

| mma_dqloss =

| mma_otherloss =

| mma_draw =

| mma_nc =

| other =

| occupation =

| spouse = Negumereanu Elena

| relatives =

| students =

| university =

| sherdog = 237147

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalGold | 2018 |97 kg[http://www.csdinamo.eu/sectia-sporturi-individuale/lupte-greco-romane/lupte-colectie-de-medalii-la-nationale-dinamo-locul-1-la-greco-romane-locul-2-la-libere Lupte. Colectie de medalii la Nationale, Dinamo – locul 1 la greco-romane, locul 2 la libere] }}

{{MedalSilver | 2017 |125 kg[https://www.tribuna.ro/stiri/sport/nicu-negumereanu-vicecampion-naional-127024.html Nicu Negumereanu, vicecampion național] }}

{{MedalSilver | 2019 |97 kg[http://www.csdinamo.eu/sectia-centrul-sportiv-brasov/lupte-libere/2019-11-18-14-20-29 Lupte. Rareș Chintoan a câștigat Cupa Românie] }}

{{MedalSilver | 2018 |97 kg[http://www.csdinamo.eu/sectia-sporturi-individuale/lupte-greco-romane/lupte-alin-alexuc-si-stefan-daniliuc-au-castigat-cupa-romaniei Lupte. Alin Alexuc si Stefan Daniliuc au castigat Cupa Romaniei] }}

{{MedalSilver | 2017 |125 kg[http://www.csdinamo.eu/sectia-sporturi-individuale/lupte-greco-romane/lupte-dinamo-noua-clasari-pe-podium-la-cupa-romaniei Lupte. Dinamo, noua clasari pe podium la Cupa Romaniei] }}

}}

Nicolae Negumereanu (born September 4, 1994), commonly known as Nick Negumereanu, is a Romanian mixed martial artist (MMA) who competed in the Light heavyweight division in the UFC.

A former Real Xtreme Fighting (RXF) Light Heavyweight champion, Negumereanu is known for making his entrance in a traditional Dacian hat called pileus.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8wQZzt6ZRA Nicolae Negumereanu la AS.ro LIVE, partea a 4-a. Ce planuri are în UFC, după prima victorie obținută]

Background

Starting wrestling when he was 15 years old, he was able to become a national wrestling champion and a national kempo champion. He changed his mind and shifted his focus to MMA after seeing one of his friends compete at an RXF show.{{Cite web|last=Marian|first=Stoica|date=2021-04-26|title=LUPTE: Brașoveanul Nicolae Negumereanu este singurul român din UFC!|url=http://sportbv.ro/lupte-brasoveanul-nicolae-negumereanu-este-singurul-roman-din-ufc/|access-date=2021-10-23|website=Sport Brasov|language=ro-RO}}

Mixed martial arts career

= Early career =

He made his pro-MMA debut on October 10, 2016, against Alexandru Gavrila. Nicolae was victorious in his first MMA bout via a TKO. He went undefeated fighting mostly in Real Xtreme Fighting, with some of the opponents that he defeated being Marius Pîslaru, Constantin Pădure, Robert Orbocea, Yuri Gorbenko, and Kovács Kálmán. On November 19, 2018, he defeated Dan Konecke via Brabo Choke at RXF 32 to capture his first MMA title, the RXF Light Heavyweight Championship.

=Ultimate Fighting Championship=

Negumereanu, as a last-minute replacement for Gökhan Saki, faced Saparbek Safarov on March 16, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Till vs. Masvidal in London, England.{{Cite web|author=Marcel Dorff|title=Nick Negumereanu makes UFC debut against Saparbeg Saforov during UFC London|url=https://mmadna.nl/nick-negumereanu-maakt-ufc-debuut-tegen-saparbeg-saforov-tijdens-ufc-londen/|access-date=2019-03-04|publisher=mmadna.com}} Negumereanu lost the fight by unanimous decision.{{Cite web|date=2019-03-16|title=UFC London results: Saparbek Safarov survives point deduction to defeat Nicolae Negumereanu|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2019/03/ufc-london-results-saparbeg-safarov-survives-point-deduction-to-score-win-over-nicolae-negumereanu|access-date=2019-03-17|website=MMA Junkie|language=en}}

Due to two surgeries, one on his back and one on his knee, he would miss the next two years.{{Cite web|date=2021-06-23|title=Nick Negumereanu, primul interviu după victoria istorică din UFC. Luptătorul a vorbit pentru Fanatik de pe aeroport. Exclusiv|url=https://www.fanatik.ro/nick-negumereanu-primul-interviu-dupa-victoria-istorica-din-ufc-luptatorul-a-vorbit-pentru-fanatik-de-pe-aeroport-exclusiv-19551766|access-date=2021-10-23|website=fanatik.ro|language=ro}} Negumereanu stated that he accepted the fight with Safarov only three weeks before, and he fought with a cracked hand and a cold. Later he also said that he was coming to the match with Villanueva after a meniscus operation but he did not want to cancel the match, entering unprepared again but this time winning the match.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMbu3OhLruQ Nicolae Negumereanu la AS.ro LIVE, partea 1][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8jOIBtIt3I Nicolae Negumereanu la AS.ro LIVE, partea a 2-a. ”Mi-am imaginat cum ridic tricolorul în cușca UFC”]

Negumereanu faced Aleksa Camur at UFC on ESPN: The Korean Zombie vs. Ige on June 19, 2021.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-02|title=Nicolae Negumereanu returns from 27-month layoff, fights Aleksa Camur at UFC event on June 19|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/04/ufc-news-nicolae-negumereanu-vs-aleksa-camur-fight-night-june-19|access-date=2021-06-17|website=MMA Junkie|language=en-US}} He won the bout via split decision. This fight had its fair share of controversy after Negumereanu repeatedly illegally held holding Camur against the fence.{{Cite web|last=Behunin|first=Alex|date=2021-06-19|title=UFC Vegas 29 Results: Aleksa Camur Falls to Nicolae Negumereanu in Split Decision|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/06/19/ufc-vegas-29-results-nicolae-negumereanu-defeated-aleksa-camur-via-split-decision/|access-date=2021-06-20|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2021-06-24 |title=Aleksa Camur to appeal UFC on ESPN 25 loss after plethora of Nicolae Negumereanu fence grabs |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/06/ufc-news-aleksa-camur-appeal-loss-vs-nicolae-negumereanu-fence-grabs-mike-beltran |access-date=2022-03-06 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}

Negumereanu faced Ike Villanueva on October 23, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori.{{cite web|last1=Behunin|first1=Alex|title=Nick Negumereanu vs. Ike Villanueva Set For October 23 UFC Event|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/09/06/nick-negumereanu-vs-ike-villanueva-set-october-23-ufc-event/|access-date=6 September 2021|website=Cageside Press|publisher=Cagesidepress.com}} He won the fight via knockout in round one.{{Cite web|last=Evanoff|first=Josh|date=2021-10-23|title=UFC Vegas 41 Results: Nicolae Negumereanu Controversially KO's Ike Villanuenva|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/10/23/ufc-vegas-41-results-nicolae-negumereanu-controversially-kos-ike-villanuenva/|access-date=2021-10-23|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}

Negumereanu was scheduled to face Ihor Potieria on March 5, 2022, at UFC 272.{{Cite web|date=2022-01-19|title=Negumereanu treft debutant Potieria tijdens UFC 272|url=https://www.eurosport.nl/mixed-martial-arts/ufc/2022/negumereanu-treft-debutant-potieria-tijdens-ufc-272_sto8722936/story.shtml|access-date=2022-01-19|website=Eurosport|language=nl}} However, Potieria pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Kennedy Nzechukwu.{{Cite web|last=Wannan|first=Jack|date=2022-02-04|title=Kennedy Nzechukwu Steps In To Face Nick Negumereanu At UFC 272|url=https://knockdownnews.com/2022/02/04/kennedy-nzechukwu-steps-in-to-face-nick-negumereanu-at-ufc-272/|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Knockdown News|language=en}} Negumereanu won the fight via split decision.{{Cite web |last=McClory |first=Mike |date=2022-03-05 |title=UFC 272: Nicolae Negumereanu Survives Eye Pokes, Wins Split Decision Against Kennedy Nzechukwu |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/03/05/ufc-272-nicolae-negumereanu-vs-kennedy-nzechukwu/ |access-date=2022-03-06 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}} 8 out of 15 media scores gave it to Nzechukwu, while 6 scored it a draw, with only one giving it to Negumereanu.{{Cite web |title=Nicolae Negumereanu def. Kennedy Nzechukwu :: UFC 272 :: MMA Decisions |url=http://www.mmadecisions.com/decision/12948/Nicolae-Negumereanu-vs-Kennedy-Nzechukwu |access-date=2022-03-09 |website=www.mmadecisions.com}}

Negumereanu was scheduled to face Alonzo Menifield on June 4, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 207.{{Cite web |last=Behunin |first=Alex |date=2022-04-28 |title=Alonzo Menifield vs. Nicolae Negumereanu Added To June 4 UFC Fight Night |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/04/28/alonzo-menifield-vs-nicolae-negumereanu-added-june-4-ufc-fight-night/ |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}} However, Negumereanu was removed from the event for undisclosed reasons and he was replaced by Askar Mozharov.{{Cite web |last=Behunin |first=Alex |date=2022-04-29 |title=UFC: Negumereanu Out, Askar Mozharov In Against Alonzo Menifield on June 4 |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/04/29/alonzo-menifield-vs-askar-mozharov-added-june-4-ufc-fight-night/ |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Negumereanu faced Ihor Potieria on July 30, 2022 at UFC 277.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-12 |title=UFC 277 {{!}} Alles wat je moet weten over UFC 277: Peña vs. Nunes 2 |url=https://www.eurosport.nl/mixed-martial-arts/ufc/2022/ufc-277-alles-wat-je-moet-weten-over-ufc-277-pena-vs.-nunes-2_sto8919193/story.shtml |access-date=2022-05-26 |website=Eurosport |language=nl}} He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round.{{Cite web |last=Theodosi |first=Jamie |date=2022-07-30 |title=UFC 277: Nicolae Negumereanu Overwhelms Ihor Potieria |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/07/30/ufc-277-nicolae-negumereanu-vs-ihor-potieria/ |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Negumereanu faced Carlos Ulberg on November 12, 2022, at UFC 281.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-25 |title=Carlos Ulberg vs. Nicolae Negumereanu agregado a UFC 281 - MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. |url=https://mma.uno/carlos-ulberg-vs-nicolae-negumereanu-agregado-a-ufc-281/ |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=mma.uno |language=es}} He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/11/12/ufc-281-carlos-ulberg-sleeps-nicolae-negumereanu-in-first-round/|title=UFC 281: Carlos Ulberg Sleeps Nicolae Negumereanu In First Round|publisher=Cageside Press|author=Val Dewar|date=2022-11-12|access-date=2022-11-12}}

Personal life

He has 3 brothers, their father died when Nicolae was 10 years old. Negumereanu worked from the age of 14-15 to support his family. He declared that if he had had better performances in wrestling than being national champion, he probably would not have started MMA. He was active in wrestling for only 4–5 years and already after 2 years he started defeating opponents with 10 years of experience. Later, Negumereanu also studied BJJ in Brașov, Romania. He also said that MMA is not developed in Romania, unlike the much more popular kickboxing, and that it has only been practiced for 5 years. At one point, Negumereanu trained only on the striking part of kickboxing, and the former coach did not manage to improve his ground part.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LOAUbCh3yY Nicolae Negumereanu la AS.ro LIVE, partea a 3-a. ”Îmi doresc să ajung la nivelul lui McGregor”]

He also trained at the UFC Performance Institute.

Nicolae Negumereanu is an Eastern Orthodox Christian. He said his idol is Lucian Bute, and that he was also inspired by Leonard Dorin Doroftei and Alexandru Lungu. He would like to end up like Conor McGregor and have a match with Jon Jones.

Nicolae says that he is passionate about Dacian culture (Dacology) and listens to Subcarpați's music. He worked for many years as a security guard.

Championships and accomplishments

= Mixed martial arts =

Real Xtreme Fighting
RXF Light Heavyweight Championship (One Time)

Mixed martial arts record

{{MMArecordbox

| draws=

| nc=

| ko-wins= 8

| sub-wins= 3

| dec-wins= 2

| ko-losses= 1

| sub-losses=

| dec-losses= 1

| dq-wins=

| dq-losses=

| other-wins=

| other-losses=

}}

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|13–2

|Carlos Ulberg

|KO (punches)

|UFC 281

|{{dts|2022|November|12}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|3:44

|New York City, New York, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|13–1

|Ihor Potieria

|TKO (knees and punches)

|UFC 277

|{{dts|2022|July|30}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|3:33

|Dallas, Texas, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|12–1

|Kennedy Nzechukwu

|Decision (split)

|UFC 272

|{{dts|2022|March|05}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|{{small|Nzechukwu was deducted one point in round 3 due to repeated eye pokes.}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 11–1

|Ike Villanueva

|TKO (punches)

|UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori

|{{dts|2021|October|23}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:18

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 10–1

|Aleksa Camur

|Decision (split)

|UFC on ESPN: The Korean Zombie vs. Ige

|{{dts|2021|June|19}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|9–1

|Saparbek Safarov

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Till vs. Masvidal

|{{dts|2019|March|16}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|London, England

|{{small|Safarov was deducted one point in round 1 for continuously grabbing the cage.}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|9–0

|Dan Konecke

|Submission (brabo choke)

|RXF 32

|{{dts|2018|November|19}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|0:30

|Brașov, Romania

|{{small|Won the RXF Light Heavyweight Championship.}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|8–0

|Kálmán Kovács

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|RXF 31

|{{dts|2018|October|1}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|3:12

|Cluj-Napoca, Romania

|{{small|Heavyweight bout.}}

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 7–0

| Olutobi Ayodeji Kalejaiye

| TKO (punches)

| RXF 29

| {{dts|2017|December|18}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 3:04

| Brașov, Romania

|{{small|Light Heavyweight debut.}}

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 6–0

| Yuri Gorbenko

| TKO (retirement)

| RXF 28

| {{dts|2017|October|30}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 5:00

| Brașov, Romania

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 5–0

| Hatef Moeil

| TKO (doctor stoppage)

| Superior FC 18

| {{dts|2017|September|16}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 2:35

| Ludwigshafen, Germany

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 4–0

| Robert Orbocea

| TKO (punches)

|RXF 27

| {{dts|2017|July|29}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 1:55

| Piatra Neamț, Romania

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 3–0

| Constantin Pădure

| Submission (armbar)

| RXF 26

| {{dts|2017|April|25}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 1:08

| Brașov, Romania

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 2–0

| Marius Pîslaru

| TKO (punches)

| RXF 25

| {{dts|2016|December|19}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 0:57

| Ploiești, Romania

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 1–0

| Alex Gavrilă

| TKO (punches)

| RXF 24

| {{dts|2016|October|10}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 0:10

| Brașov, Romania

|{{small|Heavyweight debut.}}

{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Nicolae-Negumereanu-237147|title=Nicolae-Negumereanu|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=2019-03-16}}