Icelandic fighter Gunnar Nelson (13-1-1) last competed in October at UFC Fight Night 53. It was a first time he headlined a card but it was also the first time he has lost a fight. After winning his first four fights in the UFC, each more impressive than the last, he came up short against Rick Story (18-8).
After the fight it seemed that Nelson, although disappointed, knew that this was a learning curve and that it would only improve him as a fighter. Now today it seems that the 26-year-old is finally ready to jump back in and he wants to get on the UFC 189 card in Las Vegas this July alongside his teammate Conor McGregor.
The star’s father and manager Halli Nelson reiterated Nelson’s tweet to MMAViking.com while stating that he may fight sooner.
“He is interested in being on the Vegas card in July but we don’t know if he will fight before that,” said Halli.
Alan’s Angle: I am looking forward to seeing Nelson return. I have been in attendance for five of his last six fights and every time he continues to amaze me. His last fight wasn’t his finest performance but that was due to how good Rick Story implemented his gameplan. Every fighter will have them sort of fights and I feel it is essential that they do in order to learn and gain some experience of facing a diversity and also a high level wrestler. Over the years I feel that wrestling has become the most dominant style of fighting and it is good that fighters who don’t come from a wrestling based background feel that. I expect ‘Gunni’ to come back better than before and he is one of the few fighters I feel confident that will challenge for the title in the future whether it be at welterweight or lightweight, should the fighter chose to go there, it remains to be seen.
