Nicolas Dalby Record: 24-6-1

First UFC run

Dalby debuted in the UFC in 2015 with a split-decision win over Elizeu Zaleski. Later that year he fought future title challenger Darren Till to a majority draw, spoiling the unbeaten prospect's record. The momentum stalled with consecutive decision losses to Zak Cummings in 2016 and Peter Sobotta, and he was released from the promotion.

Cage Warriors rebuild and UFC return

Dalby returned to Cage Warriors to rebuild. After a 2018 split-decision loss to Carlo Pedersoli, he reeled off finishes and earned his way back to the UFC, marking his return in 2019 with a unanimous-decision win over Alex Oliveira. A 2020 bout with Jesse Ronson was ruled a no-contest after being overturned, but Dalby followed with a strong decision over Daniel Rodriguez later that year.

Veteran resurgence

After a 2021 decision loss to veteran Tim Means, Dalby found the best form of his career. He beat Claudio Silva in 2022, then put together a four-fight run with decisions over Warlley Alves and Muslim Salikhov in 2023 and a second-round TKO of the undefeated Gabriel Bonfim. The wins eventually slowed, with a 2024 split-decision loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov and a 2025 knockout loss to Randy Brown, but the veteran answered late in 2025 with a split-decision win over Saygid Izagakhmaev, pushing his record to 24-6-1.

Fighting style

Dalby is a complete, pressure-based welterweight whose game is built on volume, ring craft, and a high fight IQ honed over more than a decade. With a 24-6-1 record, the majority of his wins (13) have come by decision, but he also carries genuine pop, with seven knockouts and four submissions on his ledger. He grinds out close rounds with output and positioning, and his durability is a defining trait, only one of his losses has come by knockout. The trade-off is that many of his fights are razor-thin affairs decided on the scorecards, where his relentless activity tends to tip the balance.

Career highlights

• Cage Warriors welterweight champion — won and defended the title in 2014, the run that earned him the UFC.
• Draw with Darren Till — fought future title challenger Darren Till to a majority draw in 2015, ending Till's unbeaten start.
• Late-career resurgence — reeled off a multi-fight UFC winning run in his late 30s, including a TKO of the undefeated Gabriel Bonfim.