Nick Newell returns to MMA with Legacy Fighting Alliance contract

Nick Newell’s rise to MMA notoriety was an improbable one. Between 2009 and 2013, the one-handed fighter racked up a 10-0 unbeaten record, grabbing a regional championship in the process, along with a spot on the World Series of Fighting roster.

Working behind a relentless wrestle-grappling style, along with a remarkable fearlessness trading strikes, his success in the cage seemed entirely odds-defiant. Eventually, that success met a Justin-Gaethje-shaped roadblock – at WSOF 11, in a bout for the promotion’s lightweight title. Following the loss, Newell fought just two more times, taking decisions over Joe Condon and Tommy Marcellino.

Then he retired.

Newell put a lot of the reason for hanging up the gloves fairly early in his career on injuries, saying “I’ve done this for my past three camps, with injuries all through the whole camp. I came in 20 lbs over the day before weigh-ins and had to lose it all because I couldn’t train. It’s just very rough on my body.”

It seems, however, that some time on the sidelines – and perhaps some time to heal up and get healthy – have Newell reinvigorated for a second crack at professional fighting. Legacy Fighting Alliance recently announced, via press release, that they have signed Newell to a multi-fight deal with the promotion.

No debut date or opponent have been announced as of yet, but stay tuned to Bloody Elbow for more news and updates.