Alden Coria: Overlooked Flyweight Ready to Shine in OKC

Rankings can be cruel. Alden Coria walked into the Octagon on short notice last September, dominated Alessandro Costa, and finished him in the third round. That victory should have been a launchpad. Instead, Costa has since climbed into the UFC’s official top-15 flyweight rankings while Coria remains unranked. This weekend in Oklahoma City, Coria steps in against Stewart Nicoll—a fighter who has lost all three of his UFC bouts, including one to Costa. The contrast is hard to ignore, and Coria admits it stings.

“It’s funny because me and my girlfriend talk about this all the time,” Coria said. “Why is he getting all these fights?” The 28-year-old isn’t bitter, but he’s aware of the optics. He beat the same man who now sits at No. 14 in the division. After this weekend, he wants a rematch with Costa for that ranking spot. “Let’s run it back for that top-15 spot,” he said. Coria’s debut was no fluke: he swept the first two rounds on all three scorecards before putting Costa away. He followed that with a decision win over Luis Gurule in Houston, extending his unbeaten run to six fights. Now he wants the recognition that record deserves.

Alden Coria’s Roadblock in the Flyweight Division

Costa’s surge has been real. Since losing to Coria, he has beaten Kevin Borjas, a veteran, and Stewart Nicoll—the same man Coria faces Saturday. Those three wins pushed Costa into the rankings, while Coria’s lone subsequent victory over Gurule kept him in the background. The division moves fast, and one win can change everything, but Coria has been stuck watching from the outside. He’s not complaining, though. He sees the bigger picture and trusts the process. “I’m glad I’m here,” he said. “I’m gonna make a name for myself.”

Coria believes his skills match up well against Nicoll’s style. He expects Nicoll to try grappling, which plays into Coria’s strengths. “I’m a good grappler, and I’m also a good striker,” Coria said. “So it’s not gonna go well for him.” He has prepared for the best version of Nicoll, knowing a desperate opponent can be dangerous. “One punch can turn a black belt into a white belt,” Coria added. “It doesn’t take much.” He’s keeping his head level and trusting his coaches to keep him sharp.

The Trap Fight Against Stewart Nicoll

This matchup carries all the warning signs of a trap. Nicoll is 0-3 in the UFC, with losses to Costa, Jafel Filho, and Rei Tsuruya. He is fighting for his job, and that desperation makes him unpredictable. Coria isn’t looking past him. He knows that a loss would undo all his progress. His training partner, flyweight champion Joshua Van, has shown him what’s possible with discipline. Van rose from a war-torn country to become champion in five years. “It’s very inspiring to me,” Coria said. “It shows that we can also do the same thing.” Coria has been part of Van’s camps, watching him build a title run, and he’s applying those lessons to his own career.

• Coria defeated Alessandro Costa via third-round TKO at Noche UFC in September 2025 on short notice.
• He then earned a unanimous decision over Luis Gurule at UFC Fight Night in Houston in March 2026.
• Stewart Nicoll has lost all three UFC fights, most recently by submission to Alessandro Costa in April 2026.
• Coria trains alongside flyweight champion Joshua Van at Metro Fight Club in Houston, drawing motivation from Van’s rapid ascent.

What This Fight Means for Coria’s Career

A convincing win over Nicoll should finally get Coria a ranked opponent. His three-fight UFC winning streak, including a finish of a current top-15 fighter, makes a strong case. The flyweight division is crowded but not impenetrable. Names like Cody Durden or Matt Schnell could be next. The rematch with Costa looms as the most compelling option. Coria already proved he’s the better fighter; a second win would settle any doubt. The division needs fresh contenders, and Coria is ready to fill that role.

Beyond rankings, Coria is driven by family goals. He watched Van buy his mother a house and wants to do the same. “Do this for your family,” he said, recalling the mindset from Van’s camps. Saturday is another step toward that future. He’s not just fighting for a spot in the top 15; he’s fighting for a life change. The Octagon in Oklahoma City is his stage, and he intends to make a statement.

Coria doesn’t plan on letting up. He wants to send a message to the division: he’s not just the guy who beat Costa; he’s the guy who’s going to be champion. Saturday’s fight is the perfect stage to prove it. The Octagon in Oklahoma City will be his canvas, and he intends to paint a masterpiece.