Tag: Ashley Nichols

LFA, Invicta alum Ashley Nichols dead at 37

Former LFA title challenger Ashley Nichols has died unexpectedly at age 37, according to her coach and other loved ones.

Canadian MMA fighter [autotag]Ashley Nichols[/autotag] has died.

Nichols, a former LFA title challenger and Invicta fighter was 37. Her death was confirmed by her former coach, Jeff Harrison, and other loved ones social media Wednesday. No cause of death has been publicly revealed.

“I was fortunate enough to be her mentor and coach at the beginning of that journey,” Harrison wrote on Instagram. “I, along with so many others admired Ashley for being so courageous, driven and resilient. She was proof that you could work hard and improve your situation in life, and literally become the best on planet earth regardless of where you come from.

“She wanted to be the best. Demons haunted her, but she wanted to be the best.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3SqVLFMhKv/

A proud Chippewas of the Thames First Nation’s woman, Nichols was an accomplished kickboxer and muay thai fighter in conjunction with her 7-4 professional MMA career.

Nicholas competed three times under the LFA banner and twice for Invicta. Following an LFA title challenge defeat to Jaqueline Amorim in 2022, Nichols won three consecutive fights in 2023.

Prior to her death, Nichols was expected to return March 9 at PAWFC 3 in Calgary, Alberta.

Harrison wasn’t the only one to pay tribute to Nichols, as emotional messages and posts flooded social media, many of which can be seen below.

LFA 142 results: Jaqueline Amorim wrenches Ashley Nichols’ arm, notches first title defense

IBJJF standout Jaqueline Amorim kept her 100 percent finishing rate alive when she cut through Ashley Nichols like butter.

[autotag]Jaqueline Amorim[/autotag] brought quite the grappling resume into her journey down the road of professional MMA fighter – and in the LFA 142 main event, it was once again on display.

The LFA women’s strawweight champion, Amorim (6-0) successfully defended her title for the first time when she methodically took down, controlled, mounted, and armbarred opponent [autotag]Ashley Nichols[/autotag] (4-4) for the quick submission. The stoppage came at 4:39 of Round 1.

LFA 142 took place Friday at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Minn. and streamed on UFC Fight Pass.

Amorim, 27, is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts with IBJJF, UAEJJF, and CBJJ championships to her name. Since her transition to MMA in late 2020, she made the jump to train at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla. – with the particular intent of rounding out her game.

In the early minutes of the opening round, Amorim showed her striking improvements. She picked apart Nichols, a kickboxing-based fighter, before a well-timed shot took the fight to the canvas.

Once on the mat, Amorim did not let Nichols get comfortable. Amorim constantly worked and transitioned. As soon as she got to mount she grabbed hold of the arm and that was it.

With the victory, Amorim keeps her first-round finishing rate perfect at 100 percent. Through six fights she is unbeaten with five submissions and one knockout.

Prior to LFA 142, Amorim turned down a Dana White’s Contender Series opportunity and even in her post-fight interview Friday was noncommittal to her next move.

The full LFA 142 pro results include:

  • Jaqueline Amorim def. Ashley Nichols via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 4:39 – for women’s strawweight title
  • Thomas Petersen def. Kory Moegenburg via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 2, 3:14
  • Sean McPadden def. Michael Cyr via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 3:26
  • Giovanna Canuto def. Jamie Colleen Miller via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
  • Zach Vaci def. Rob Fenicle via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Adam Vigil def. Manatua Lemaire via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:57
  • Dan Moriarty def. Oscar Jurado Sanchez via technical split decision
  • Donald Bush def. Jimmy Padilla via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 1, 1:24
  • Griffin Parriott def. Ratavious Thrasher via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1, 2:16
  • Gary Konkol def. Sam Hernandez via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 2, 3:10
  • Devon Lozej def. Rashal Malik via unanimous decision
  • Cody Jerabek def. Bruce Xavier via knockout (punch) – Round 1,

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