Biography


NICK'S BIO ON UFC.COM
Training: A single day of training for me usually consists of 2 to 3 workouts a day. 3 days a week my training starts with strength and conditioning in the morning followed up by boxing or Muay Thai in the afternoon and sparring at night. And the other 2 to 3 days start with jiu-jitsu in morning followed up by wrestling in afternoon at Rider University and then sometimes followed up by another jiu-jitsu training session at night.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I always loved the sport since I was a kid, and I started training jiu-jitsu shortly after my college wrestling career ended. I had my first professional fight in the summer of 2007 and everything just started from there and it’s built up to where I am now.

What ranks and titles have you held? BJJ brown belt, Ring of Combat middleweight champion.

Do you have any heroes? My younger brother Adam, and my HS wrestling coach Jay Nase. They’re both very big inspirations to me and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? I’m excited to have the opportunity to now fight the best in the world, in the best organization in the world. It’s where I always wanted to be since I started training MMA.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? BA in Psychology from Rider University

What was your job before you started fighting? I worked for my father in a family-owned Sheet Metal business. I want to thank my father because he played a big role in where I am now in my career because he allowed me to have flexible hours and certain days off to train for upcoming fights.

Accomplishments in amateur competition? NJ State place winner in HS, Three-time Division I national qualifier, 2x Division I conference champion, 100 Division I career wins, and Male Athlete of the Year in 2004 for Rider University in wrestling.

Favorite grappling technique: Takedowns and submissions

Favorite Striking technique: Ground and pound           

 
   
 

NICK'S PERSONAL BIO

Nick Catone graduated in 2004 from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ.  He wrestled all 5 years in college NCAA Division I with over 100 career wins and 2 conference titles for the Rider Broncs. Nick still coaches and trains at Rider for his upcoming MMA fights.

He currently holds a Brown-Belt rank in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  A few years after graduating from Rider Nick began his jiu jitsu training and about a year later made his professional (MMA) Mixed Martial Arts debut in May of 2007 with a submission win over Dan Karnbauer.  

After fighting in the local MMA events with an undefeated record of 6 - 0 he became the Middleweight Champion for Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat.  In 2008, Nick received an opportunity to sign a multiple fight deal with the world's largest fight organization UFC ® - Ultimate Fighting Championship and debuted his UFC career on February 7, 2009 with a submission win against Derek Downey at the Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida.

Since signing with the UFC in 2008, Nick has been working on his boxing game greatly by training with legendary Jersey Shore pugilist Frank Savannah, who also hails from Brick. Savannah was National Golden Gloves Middleweight champ before amassing and 15-1 pro record. 

WRESTLING CREDENTIALS

Rider University
  • 2x NCAA Div. I Conference Champion 2001, 2004
  • 2x NCAA Div. I National Qualifier 2001, 2004
  • Ranked As High As 7th In The Nation At 184lbs. 2004 *
  • 100 Career NCAA Div. I wins
  • Hold the All-Time Single Dual Meet Season Takedown Record at Rider University With (100) Dual Meet Takedowns, Old Record (65)
  • Beast of East Champion 2004
  • Southern Scuffle Champion 2004
  • Male Athlete of the Year, Rider University 2004 (Wrestling)
  • Four Year Letterman, NCAA Div.1
  • Captain 2003-2004 Season

Brick Memorial High School 

  • 4TH In The State of New Jersey 1999
  • 4x District 23 Finalist 1996,1997,1998,1999
  • 2x District 23 Champion 1998,1999
  • Districk 23 Outstanding Wrestler 1999
  • 2x Region 6 Finalist 1998,1999
  • Region 6 Champion 1999
  • 102 Career Wins
  • 4 Year Letterman
  • Captain 1998-1999 Season
  • Member of Brick Memorial High School Wrestling Hall of Fame