Gunnar Nelson is about to make his return to the octagon at UFC London this Saturday, dealing with Kevin Holland in a welterweight bout. The Icelandic fighter has been absent from competitors for 2 years, along with his final battle relationship again to March 2023 when he submitted Bryan Barberena at UFC 286.
Gunnar Nelson Returns to the UFC
Gunnar Nelson’s prolonged hiatus from the game wasn’t on account of damage, however reasonably a shift in priorities. “I’ve just been focusing on other things in life, coaching our gym back home, my family and stuff like that,” Nelson defined. He mirrored on how, over time, his profession took a backseat as he prioritized different features of his life.
Regardless of the lengthy layoff, Nelson feels at dwelling combating in London. “It feels great, feels familiar. I’ve fought here so many times and it feels homey,” he stated, highlighting his consolation with the venue. This familiarity may play to his benefit as he steps again into competitors.
When requested about potential ring rust, Nelson dismissed the priority. “I’m quite used to it. This is not the first time I’ve had a long break, so I don’t believe in it. I’m accustomed to it anyway, so I think I’ll be fine,” he acknowledged confidently.
Kevin Holland
Relating to his opponent, Kevin Holland, Nelson sees alternatives to use. “In that fight and a couple of others, you definitely see holes in Kevin’s game. There are definitely some situations there that you could try to capitalize on,” he noticed, hinting at a strategic method to the bout.
Nelson additionally provided his ideas on the upcoming title battle between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena, offering a balanced evaluation of the matchup. “I think it comes down to how well he can defend Belal’s takedowns. If Della Maddalena finds cracks in his striking game and is able to start landing and keeping him at bay and defending those takedowns, he could win this fight for sure,” he stated.
As Nelson prepares for his return, he acknowledges the ups and downs of being a fighter. “I do enjoy most of it. Obviously, sometimes it’s not fun, but it’s become part of me, and I’ve learned to love it,” he mirrored, displaying a mature perspective on his profession. Together with his return to the octagon simply days away, Nelson seems targeted and able to remind the MMA world of his abilities.
