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Survives illegal blow but still falls in the first round at Bellator 207
Nelson lost Sergei Kharitonov via TKO (knee) at 4:59 of Round 1 at Bellator 207 on Friday in Uncasville, Conn.
ANALYSIS
Nelson tried to mix his hard striking with his grappling. He would throw a few hard punches and go for the clinch. However, Kharitonov stopped all of his takedown attempts. At distance, it all belonged to the Russian fighter. About halfway through the first round, Kharitonov landed a pair of illegal knees on the ground. Nelson survived and continued to fight after a break. However, after the stop, Kharitonov took over with his boxing and then finished up with a knee along the cage. Nelson has now lost three of his last four fights, and his days as a serious contender appear to be over.
Nelson tried to mix his hard striking with his grappling. He would throw a few hard punches and go for the clinch. However, Kharitonov stopped all of his takedown attempts. At distance, it all belonged to the Russian fighter. About halfway through the first round, Kharitonov landed a pair of illegal knees on the ground. Nelson survived and continued to fight after a break. However, after the stop, Kharitonov took over with his boxing and then finished up with a knee along the cage. Nelson has now lost three of his last four fights, and his days as a serious contender appear to be over.
Officially removed from Bellator 200 card
Nelson will no longer fight at Bellator 200 on Friday, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
It's a rough break for Nelson, who was originally scheduled to face Mirko Cro Cop in the main event, but Cro Cop was eventually forced to withdraw due to injury. With the fight just days away, Bellator was unable to secure a replacement opponent, as most of their top-tier heavyweights are tied up in their grand prix tournament, or have recently been eliminated from it. It's unclear how long Cro Cop will be on the shelf, but the logical next step is for the promotion to reschedule this bout for a later date.
It's a rough break for Nelson, who was originally scheduled to face Mirko Cro Cop in the main event, but Cro Cop was eventually forced to withdraw due to injury. With the fight just days away, Bellator was unable to secure a replacement opponent, as most of their top-tier heavyweights are tied up in their grand prix tournament, or have recently been eliminated from it. It's unclear how long Cro Cop will be on the shelf, but the logical next step is for the promotion to reschedule this bout for a later date.
Needs new opponent for Bellator 200
Nelson's scheduled match with Mirko Cro Cop in Friday's Bellator 200 will no longer be featured as the main event after Cro Cop was forced to withdraw with an undisclosed leg injury, Gareth A. Davies of The Telegraph reports.
ANALYSIS
Bellator plans to find a short-notice replacement fighter to face Nelson, but the American heavyweight would likely be the favorite regardless of whom the league tabs to fill in for Cro Cop. With Nelson's fight now set to come earlier in the card, Bellator plans to promote the middleweight title fight between Rafael Carvalho and Gegard Mousasi as the headline event at London's Wembley Arena.
Bellator plans to find a short-notice replacement fighter to face Nelson, but the American heavyweight would likely be the favorite regardless of whom the league tabs to fill in for Cro Cop. With Nelson's fight now set to come earlier in the card, Bellator plans to promote the middleweight title fight between Rafael Carvalho and Gegard Mousasi as the headline event at London's Wembley Arena.
Nearly comes all the way back against Matt Mitrione in the main event of Bellator 194
Nelson lost to Matt Mitrione via majority decision (28-28, 29-28, 29-28) at Bellator 194 on Friday in Uncasville, Conn.
ANALYSIS
Nelson had a path to victory in this fight, but he was not able to take advantage of it. He struggled on the feet and ate a lot of strikes. However, he was able to score takedowns in all three rounds. In the final round, he scored a takedown with enough time to work from the top. There he worked his way into a top-side crucifix. Nelson began to land punches much like when he defeated Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson on the 10th season of "The Ultimate Fighter." However, Mitrione survived and eventually escaped the position. Age has clearly taken a toll on "Big Country," but he looked competitive in this contest.
Nelson had a path to victory in this fight, but he was not able to take advantage of it. He struggled on the feet and ate a lot of strikes. However, he was able to score takedowns in all three rounds. In the final round, he scored a takedown with enough time to work from the top. There he worked his way into a top-side crucifix. Nelson began to land punches much like when he defeated Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson on the 10th season of "The Ultimate Fighter." However, Mitrione survived and eventually escaped the position. Age has clearly taken a toll on "Big Country," but he looked competitive in this contest.
Headed for Bellator World Grand Prix
Nelson will compete alongside seven other heavyweight for the Bellator title at The Bellator MMA World Grand Prix 2018 Heavyweight Tournament. He will take on Matt Mitrione at Bellator 194 on Feb. 16 in Uncasville, Conn.
ANALYSIS
Nelson made his debut with Bellator in September with a win over Javy Ayala. The former UFC veteran has 19 stoppage wins in his 23-14 career. "Big Country" joins Quinton Jackson, Chael Sonnen, Frank Mir, "King Mo," Fedor Emelianenko, Matt Mitrione and Ryan Bader in the pursuit for the promotion's new heavyweight champion.
Nelson made his debut with Bellator in September with a win over Javy Ayala. The former UFC veteran has 19 stoppage wins in his 23-14 career. "Big Country" joins Quinton Jackson, Chael Sonnen, Frank Mir, "King Mo," Fedor Emelianenko, Matt Mitrione and Ryan Bader in the pursuit for the promotion's new heavyweight champion.