A post-fight scuffle broke out backstage at the Meta Apex on Saturday night, with prominent MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz taking a swing at coach Eric Nicksick. The incident occurred shortly after the conclusion of the UFC's Manel Kape vs. Kyoji Horiguchi headliner, though it was not between licensed athletes.
Sources confirmed to MMA Mania that Abdelaziz initiated the physical confrontation, targeting Nicksick of Xtreme Couture. The altercation did not escalate into a full brawl, but it has drawn immediate attention given the high profiles of those involved.
Abdelaziz represents a roster of elite fighters, including UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nicksick, meanwhile, has coached several top contenders from the Las Vegas-based Xtreme Couture gym, creating a clear potential for tension between rival camps.
The UFC has not yet released an official statement regarding the incident. The promotion typically reviews such backstage conduct and may hand down disciplinary action if warranted.
Neither Abdelaziz nor Nicksick has commented publicly on the altercation. Fans and analysts are watching closely to see if this personal clash spills into future matchmaking or weigh-in confrontations.