Nick Ertl Record: 8-6-0

Testing himself against the elite

The defining stretch of Ertl's career came when he started fighting the sport's best. In February 2003 he traveled to Japan to face a young Takanori Gomi — then 12-0 and on his way to becoming one of the greatest lightweights of his generation — in a bout billed as Gomi vs. Ertl at Korakuen Hall, losing by first-round armbar. Later that year he absorbed a memorable defeat to Rick Davis, stopped by a spinning back fist in the second round. But Ertl bounced back in 2004 with the signature win of his career, a decision over future UFC and WEC veteran Nam Phan at WEC 11, followed by a victory over Brian Cobb. His later career brought losses to standout names including Mac Danzig in 2005 and Richard Crunkilton, who stopped him with punches at WEC 18 in January 2006 to close out his cage run at 8-6.

Fighting style

Ertl was a finisher in both directions, a hallmark of the era he competed in. His eight wins split evenly between knockouts and submissions — three by strikes, three by submission and two by decision — for a 75% finish rate that speaks to an aggressive, action-first approach. That same aggression cut both ways: four of his six losses came by knockout, reflecting a fighter who fought in the pocket and against the steepest possible competition, regularly facing prospects with unbeaten or near-perfect records. He was, in essence, a gatekeeper and proving ground for a generation of West Coast and Japanese talent.

Career highlights

• Beat a future UFC veteran — out-pointed Nam Phan by decision at WEC 11 in 2004, the marquee win of his career over a fighter who went on to the UFC and The Ultimate Fighter.
• Shared the cage with a legend — faced an undefeated, prime Takanori Gomi in Japan, testing himself against one of the most decorated lightweights in the sport's history.
• Two-way finisher — posted a 75% finish rate with wins by both knockout and submission across a 14-fight career spanning the IFC, Shooto, Gladiator Challenge and WEC.