Every time Nicholas Motta looks in the mirror, he will remember the UFC Baku war with Nazim Sadihov.
The lightweight veteran, who won a $100,000 bonus in a violent clash with Sadihov in Azerbaijan in June, contacted Brazilian tattoo artist Italo Nanai and designed the Murmiro Gladiator tattoo, which symbolizes not only physical struggles but mental strength and emotional durability.
“When Nicholas reached out, he already had a concept: a gladiator on the other side of his chest,” Nanais said. “He wanted this tattoo to represent battle, sacrifice and transformation. For me, it was an honor to help tell that story through ink.”
Motta, who lost in Baku by knockout, went to Nanais studio over the weekend and let the artists work for about 16 hours in total.
“It wasn’t just about winning,” Motta said. “This fight was about resilience, thinking, and everything in. I had to carry it forever. Italo was the only person who could bring that vision back to life. … This fight changed everything for me. And now it’s been etched forever in my skin. It’s the beginning of a new era.”
Motta fell 3-3 in one contest in the UFC after the defeat won two straight titles over Tom Nolan and Mahesate Heisal. The Brazilian fighter is expected to be on the sidelines for some time after undergoing surgery for the broken jaw that he suffered in the fight at UFC Baku.
Photo via Italo