Matheus Nicolau’s tattoos are concentrated on the left side of his upper body. A flowing sleeve covers his left arm and meets a large, skull-like chest design framed by beads and a cross. On his right forearm, a smaller helmeted figure stands apart from the open skin above it.
The styles and coverage vary from one side to the other. The photographs make that contrast easier to see than a quick view during a fight, where overlapping lines can read as one dark patch.
The left sleeve and its flowing linework
The raised-arm studio photo shows Nicolau’s left sleeve from shoulder to forearm. Long curved lines bend around larger shapes, with feather- or leaf-like edges in places. Smaller circular details interrupt the flow, especially on the forearm.
The forms continue over the shoulder toward the chest rather than ending at a straight border. Open skin separates some of the lines, so the sleeve isn’t a solid block of black. A January 2024 profile in EssentiallySports discussed fan theories about Nicolau’s larger work, but those aren’t a confirmed explanation from him. For another connected collection, see Alessio Sakara’s tattoo collection.
The skull-like chest design, beads and cross
A large skull-like face covers Nicolau’s left chest. Its row of teeth gives the lower half a mask-like look, while heavier curved lines shape the upper part and lead toward the shoulder. In the celebration photo, his raised left arm opens that side of the chest to the camera. The green item in his mouth is a mouthguard, not part of the tattoo.
Rounded beads loop around the face, and a cross sits above it within the upper section of the design. The chain gives the busy image a loose border without boxing it in. A cross is visible, but the photo alone doesn’t establish Nicolau’s beliefs or a personal dedication.
The helmeted figure on his right forearm
A smaller, shaded figure with a helmet-like outline sits on Nicolau’s right forearm. In the competition photo he’s on the left in yellow shorts, his right arm hanging with the outside of the forearm turned toward the camera. Matt Schnell, in red shorts, faces away; the tattoo on Schnell’s upper back belongs to him.
The forearm piece has a compact, upright shape, unlike the connected curves on Nicolau’s left arm. The image doesn’t identify a particular warrior or character. It’s a visual description, not a confirmed reference.
A full-length studio view
The full-length studio photo shows Nicolau against a pale background in green shorts, with his arms crossed and feet visible. The pose covers part of his chest, while the heavily tattooed left arm stands out beside the more open right upper arm.
Because the chest is partly hidden, this photo gives a sense of the collection’s overall balance rather than a close view of every design.
Competition context and a conversation
The competition image shows Nicolau with both gloves raised beside the referee. The cage and arena lights make it a different view from the studio photos; changing light and pose can affect how clearly fine lines show.
The embedded UFC Orlando interview follows Nicolau’s second-round knockout of Matt Schnell. Daniel Cormier speaks with him in the Octagon. It’s a post-fight conversation, not a guided account of his tattoos.