After nearly two years away from competition, Nicholas Meregali is set to make his long-awaited return to professional grappling!
The multiple-time world champion will step back onto the biggest stage at UFC BJJ 5 on February 12th, where he’s scheduled to face the fast-rising Nicholas Maglicic.
While Maglicic may not yet be a household name, over the past year he’s quietly built serious momentum, taking wins over several ADCC veterans and winning the ADCC Asia & Oceania Trials in 2025.
He was already viewed as a potential breakout star heading into ADCC 2026, but a win over Meregali could accelerate that rise dramatically.
For Maglicic, the stakes are clear: defeating one of the most decorated competitors of his generation would instantly redefine his career trajectory.
For Meregali, however, this match is less about rankings and more about redemption & resilience.
His absence dates back to ADCC 2024, where Meregali entered as a favorite to contend for both the under-99kg and absolute titles.
After cruising through his opening bout, his run came to an abrupt halt in the second round when he suffered the first submission loss of his black belt career at the hands of Michael Pixley.
The setback was compounded by a devastating shoulder injury sustained during the match.
What initially appeared to be a standard layoff turned into a prolonged ordeal.
In the months that followed, Meregali revealed he had undergone multiple surgeries, ultimately totaling four procedures, and spent more than a year completely off the mats.
His return at UFC BJJ 5 comes roughly 17 months after the injury that derailed his momentum.
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