Nick Pica Record: 5-1-0

Regional run and Bellator

Through 2014, Pica leaned into his grappling, taking a third-round rear-naked choke over Jordan Powell at West Coast FC 9 and a first-round rear-naked choke against Eric Smith at West Coast FC 12 — back-to-back submission wins that rounded out his finishing arsenal. That momentum carried him to Bellator, where in September 2015 he earned a decision over the seasoned Mauricio Alonso at Bellator 142, beating an opponent who entered with a 10-6 record. He was later scheduled to face Brandon Hester on more than one occasion, though those bouts did not come to fruition. Pica's lone setback arrived at Bellator 165 in November 2016, a first-round TKO loss to Diego Herzog. He resurfaced in a grappling context in January 2019, taking an armbar submission over Bryce Sexton at Fight 2 Win 97.

Fighting style

Pica was a true finisher: four of his five wins came inside the distance, split evenly between two knockouts and two rear-naked-choke submissions, for an 80% finish rate. That breakdown reflects a well-rounded offensive game — heavy hands to start fights and a back-take-and-choke threat once the action hit the mat. His single loss came by knockout, the one demonstrated vulnerability in an otherwise aggressive, all-action profile that made him a popular regional attraction.

Career highlights

• Bellator decision over Mauricio Alonso — beat a 10-6 veteran on the Bellator 142 stage, his signature win against established competition.
• 80% finish rate — closed out four of five wins early, balancing two knockouts with two rear-naked-choke submissions.
• Two-promotion finisher — stacked early stoppages across Dragon House and West Coast FC before stepping up to the national Bellator platform.