UFC: Nelson KO’s Big Nog, back on winning track

MANILA, Philippines – After two disappointing setbacks in his professional career, Roy Nelson is back in his winning form as he pulled off a highlight-reel knockout against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in the main event of UFC Fight Night 39 at the Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Saturday afternoon, Philippine time.

Known for his astonishing one-punch power, Nelson connected his patented right hand that rendered Nogueira unconscious before hitting the mat at the 3:30 mark of the opening frame.

Right from the get-go, “Big Country” tagged Nogueira with a solid right uppercut and then followed it up with an overhand right, flooring the former Pride Fighting Championship titlist three times in the first round.

Despite accepting Nelson’s best blows early in the bout, “Minotauro” proved he is an exceptional heavyweight fighter to put away as he pressed Nelson along the fence to momentarily silence the striking onslaught while sneakily giving his left fist as his answer to his American opponent.

However, Nelson patiently stalked his Brazilian prey, properly estimating the distance before hammering another overhand right on Nogueira’s chin that shut the lights out on his stunned foe.

“I was just waiting because he kept on throwing a left hand. He has a hard head, and I was like, ‘Oh, God.’ I’ve got to throw the right hand,” Nelson said in his post-fight interview.

Nelson snaps his two-fight losing skid and returns into the winner’s circle with an improved record of 20-9.

With his impressive victory over a mixed martial arts legend, Nelson did not hesitate to call for a heavyweight title shot.

“Dream opponent is always whoever has the belt, so that would be Cain Velasquez,” the 37-year-old slugger from Las Vegas, Nevada admitted.

On the other hand, “Big Nog” undoubtedly will face pressure to retire with back-to-back defeats. Prior to his meeting with Nelson, he suffered a second-round submission loss to Fabricio Werdum in June of last year.

Nogueira has alternated between wins and losses since capturing the interim UFC heavyweight strap from Tim Sylvia in 2008 and had been forced to sit on the sidelines on multiple occasions due to injury.

“Big Nog is a legend. If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t be fighting in MMA,” Nelson expressed his thoughts on Nogueira’s illustrious run in the sport.

Meanwhile, Clay Guida outwrestled Japanese veteran Tatsuya Kawajiri to get a unanimous verdict from the cageside officials in the co-headliner of UFC Fight Night 39.

Guida, who now upgrades his win-loss card to 31-14, swept the scorecards by indistinguishable 30-27 scores, winning for the second time in his last three Octagon outings. – Rappler.com