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Falls in return from long layoff
Nelson lost to Kevin Holland via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in London.
ANALYSIS
Now 36 years old, Nelson was fighting for the first time in almost exactly two years. He managed three takedowns and 9:29 worth of control time and still lost a clear cut unanimous decision. The reason why, is because as has been the case his entire career, Gunnar does next to nothing from top position. He was credited with just 30 total strikes. He was winning Round 1 until Holland got to his feet late and knocked him down. It wasn't until Round 3 that Nelson was finally able to mat some headway with his positional advantage. By then it was too late. Discussing Gunnar's future is pointless because he's only fought three times since September 2019.
Now 36 years old, Nelson was fighting for the first time in almost exactly two years. He managed three takedowns and 9:29 worth of control time and still lost a clear cut unanimous decision. The reason why, is because as has been the case his entire career, Gunnar does next to nothing from top position. He was credited with just 30 total strikes. He was winning Round 1 until Holland got to his feet late and knocked him down. It wasn't until Round 3 that Nelson was finally able to mat some headway with his positional advantage. By then it was too late. Discussing Gunnar's future is pointless because he's only fought three times since September 2019.
Expected to return at London
Nelson is expected to compete against Kevin Holland at UFC London on March 22, per Damon Martin of MMA Fighting.
ANALYSIS
Nelson sat out all of 2024 to regroup after finishing his 2023 with a submission loss at the hands of Bryan Barberena. The former's opponent is coming off a submission loss of his own back in UFC 311 to Reinier de Ridder.
Nelson sat out all of 2024 to regroup after finishing his 2023 with a submission loss at the hands of Bryan Barberena. The former's opponent is coming off a submission loss of his own back in UFC 311 to Reinier de Ridder.
Quickly taps out Bryan Barberena
Nelson defeated Bryan Barberena via submission (armbar) at 4:51 of Round 1 at UFC 286 on Saturday in London.
ANALYSIS
Too easy. Knowing full well Barberena wouldn't have a prayer in the world of hanging with him on the mat, Gunnar slammed his opponent to the ground about halfway through the opening frame and went to work. He landed some strikes from a dominant position before quickly rolling to the side and nearly ripping Barberena's arm off. Bryan immediately realized the gig was up and tapped out. Few men in the world can pull off the type of creativity on the mat we saw from Gunnar here. Now 34 years of age, Nelson has struggled against high-end competition, but he's unquestionably one of the better welterweights on the roster. Gunnar has now picked up back-to-back wins on the heels of back-to-back losses to Gilbert Burns and Leon Edwards, two of the very best in the world. He also took home a $50,000 bonus here after his efforts were awarded with Performance of the Night honors.
Too easy. Knowing full well Barberena wouldn't have a prayer in the world of hanging with him on the mat, Gunnar slammed his opponent to the ground about halfway through the opening frame and went to work. He landed some strikes from a dominant position before quickly rolling to the side and nearly ripping Barberena's arm off. Bryan immediately realized the gig was up and tapped out. Few men in the world can pull off the type of creativity on the mat we saw from Gunnar here. Now 34 years of age, Nelson has struggled against high-end competition, but he's unquestionably one of the better welterweights on the roster. Gunnar has now picked up back-to-back wins on the heels of back-to-back losses to Gilbert Burns and Leon Edwards, two of the very best in the world. He also took home a $50,000 bonus here after his efforts were awarded with Performance of the Night honors.
Getting new opponent at UFC 286
Nelson is scheduled to fight Bryan Barberena in a welterweight bout at UFC 286 on March 18, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Nelson was originally set to take on Daniel Rodriguez until the latter was removed from the bout Thursday due to undisclosed reasons. The 34-year-old Nelson is coming off a win via unanimous decision over Takashi Soto last March, which broke his two-fight losing streak against Leon Edwards and Gilbert Burns in 2019. Inversely, Barberena is coming off the first defeat among his past four fights, losing to Rafael dos Anjos via Rear Naked Choke submission Dec. 3. The 33-year-old fighter out of Glendale, Arizona will have a slight one-inch reach advantage over Nelson, though both competitors stand even at 6-foot.
Nelson was originally set to take on Daniel Rodriguez until the latter was removed from the bout Thursday due to undisclosed reasons. The 34-year-old Nelson is coming off a win via unanimous decision over Takashi Soto last March, which broke his two-fight losing streak against Leon Edwards and Gilbert Burns in 2019. Inversely, Barberena is coming off the first defeat among his past four fights, losing to Rafael dos Anjos via Rear Naked Choke submission Dec. 3. The 33-year-old fighter out of Glendale, Arizona will have a slight one-inch reach advantage over Nelson, though both competitors stand even at 6-foot.
Booked for UFC 286
Nelson is set to square off against Daniel Rodriguez at UFC 286 in London on March 18, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Nelson returned to the Octagon after a nearly three-year hiatus last March with a victory via unanimous decision over Takashi Sato. The 34-year-old is primarily known as a wrestler and take-down specialist. His opponent, Rodriguez, is looking to bounce back from a loss to Neil Magny at UFC Fight Night in November.
Nelson returned to the Octagon after a nearly three-year hiatus last March with a victory via unanimous decision over Takashi Sato. The 34-year-old is primarily known as a wrestler and take-down specialist. His opponent, Rodriguez, is looking to bounce back from a loss to Neil Magny at UFC Fight Night in November.