Nikolas Motta`s recent outing at UFC Baku was, by any measure, a significant event in his fighting career. While the official record shows a knockout loss to Nazim Sadykhov, the bout itself was widely lauded as a brutal, back-and-forth contest – a true `war` that earned both participants substantial performance bonuses.
Apparently, the impact of that intense exchange went beyond the financial rewards and the immediate physical toll. For Motta, the experience was so profound, so transformative, that he felt the need to make it a permanent part of his identity. His chosen method? A large, detailed chest tattoo, serving as a constant reminder of the ordeal endured and the resilience demonstrated.
The intricate artwork, executed by Brazilian tattoo artist Italo Nanais, depicts a Murmillo gladiator. This specific choice of imagery is far from arbitrary. It was designed, according to Nanais, to symbolize more than just the physical combat inherent in mixed martial arts. It represents the deeper struggle – the immense mental strength and emotional endurance required to push through such a challenging situation, regardless of the outcome.
“When Nikolas reached out,” Nanais explained, “he already had the concept: a gladiator across the chest. He wanted this tattoo to represent the battle, the sacrifice, and the transformation.” It was, for the artist, an honor to translate that powerful personal narrative into ink.
Motta himself affirmed the deep meaning behind the piece, which reportedly took around 16 hours across a weekend to complete. “It wasn’t just about winning,” he stated, emphasizing that the fight was fundamentally about “resilience, mindset, and going all in.” The need to “carry that with me forever” drove the decision, with Motta seeing Nanais as the only artist capable of bringing such a specific and personal vision to life.
“This fight changed everything for me,” Motta reflected. “And now it’s etched in my skin forever. It’s the beginning of a new era.”
The physical consequences of the bout were also significant; Motta suffered a broken jaw requiring surgery and expects to be sidelined for some time. The loss at UFC Baku also brought his UFC record to 3-3 with one no-contest, snapping a two-fight win streak. However, the gladiator etched onto his chest tells a story that transcends simple wins and losses, serving as a permanent testament to a battle that, in the fighter`s view, reshaped his path forward.
