MoS2 HDS catalysts promoted with Ni supported on SBA-15 were synthesized from sulfur containing Mo (ammonium thiomolybdate, ATM, and tetramethylammonium thiomolybdate, TMATM) and a Ni complex (Nickel diethylthiocarbamate, NiDETC). The catalysts have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2-physisorption and High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The catalytic performance in the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) reaction of dibenzothiophene (DBT) was examined at T = 623 K and PH2 = 3.4 Mpa. In comparison with the impregnation mode, the nature of the employed thiomolybdate complex shows a stronger influence on the MoS2 morphology and consequently on the HDS activity of DBT. A similar high HDS activity to a commercial NiMo/γ–Al2O3 catalyst despite the pronounced stacking number is shown for a Ni–MoS2/SBA-15 catalyst derived from ATM. The catalysts derived from TMATM showed lower HDS activities compared to the catalysts obtained from ATM precursors due to probably the presence of closed shell structures (nano-onions) of MoS2 which offer significantly smaller amount of HDS active sites (edge sites). Moreover, the HYD/DDS ratios are interestingly higher with respect to the HYD/DDS ratio of the commercial NiMo/γ–Al2O3 catalyst which could be ascribed to the generation of multilayered MoS2 active phase. ; Graphical Abstract : Nickel promoted molybdenum sulfide catalysts supported on mesoporous SBA-15 were prepared by an all sulfide route using Mo and Ni thiosalts. Similar high catalytic activity to a NiMo/γ–Al2O3 catalyst at high Mo loading is observed for Ni–MoS2/SBA-15 catalysts derived from ammonium thiomolybdate despite a pronounced stacking of MoS2 slabs. The catalysts prepared with tetramethylammonium thiomolybdate show lower HDS activities probably due to the generation of nano-onions composed of bent MoS2 with a low crystalline perfection. The enhancement of the Ni content by post-impregnation leads to the formation of segregated Ni3S2 particles, which can cover the surface of the Ni–Mo–S phase resulting in a decrease of the HDS activity. The multilayered nature of the Ni–MoS2 phase may be responsible for the higher HYD/DDS ratios (0.79–1.01).