Nicholson cleared in UFC investigation of domestic violence case

A UFC investigation has absolved Alex Nicholson of any wrongdoing in a domestic violence incident from this past May and he will face no punishment from the organization, according to Marc Raimondi of MMA Fighting.

The UFC's law firm determined there was insufficient evidence in regards to the allegations that Nicholson became physical with his fiancee at a 7-Eleven on May 8. Nicholson was arrested by Orlando police after witnesses claimed he forcefully carried his fiancee out of the establishment and dropped her on the street, resulting in a contusion on her head.

At the time, Nicholson's fiancee allegedly told police that she didn't want to go home with Nicholson. However, she chose not to fill out domestic violence paperwork and she did not show up in court to testify at a trial in August. All charges against Nicholson were subsequently dropped.

Nicholson competes at UFC Fight Night 98 on Saturday in Mexico City. The 26-year-old middleweight told MMAjunkie that the incident was blown out of proportion.

"I didn't put my hands on her," Nicholson said. "We were in a 7-Eleven. She was taking the ring off to show it to somebody, dropped it, and we're in kind of a hood area in Orlando, so I said, 'Nobody's going to leave 7-Eleven until we find it.' That obviously wasn't the smartest decision at the time."

"She was still talking to her friend, and I was drunk," Nicholson continued. "I was like, 'We have to get out of here.' So I picked her up. As we came out of the store, we fell to the ground. I helped her up, and next thing I know, there's a cop in my face. People are carrying her away, bringing her into 7-Eleven, and I'm in handcuffs.

"She comes back out, and we tried to avoid the situation. But once you're in handcuffs in Orlando, they're taking you away. Big misunderstanding."

See the full UFC release regarding the investigation below:

"Following a third-party investigation of the matter by the law firm of Campbell & Williams, UFC was informed that no sufficient evidence exists which indicates an act of domestic violence occurred as it concerns Alex Nicholson. Both Mr. Nicholson and his fiancee were interviewed, and all reports of the matter were thoroughly reviewed. It should be noted that the investigation confirmed that the State Attorney of Florida declined to proceed with a case against Mr. Nicholson, and the case was dismissed. UFC reserves the right to reevaluate the matter should new information be made available."