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Gunnar Nelson is making his long-awaited return to the Octagon, and he’s set to take on none other than Kevin Holland at UFC London on March 22. The welterweight showdown is a stylistic clash, with Nelson’s submission prowess against Holland’s unpredictable striking.
Both fighters have verbally agreed to the bout, though official contracts have yet to be signed. MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin confirmed the news after an initial report from KrazyKevMMA.
Nelson (19-5-1) has been inactive since his impressive first-round submission win over Bryan Barberena at UFC 286 in March 2023—also in London. The Icelandic grappler has found success in his last two outings, securing back-to-back victories over Barberena and Takashi Sato. Before that, he suffered a decision loss to Gilbert Burns in 2019.
Holland (26-13, 1 NC), on the other hand, has had a far busier stretch, competing 21 times in the UFC since Nelson’s last defeat. The Texas native has notable wins over Ronaldo Souza, Joaquin Buckley, and Michael Chiesa but has hit a rough patch, going 1-4 in his last five fights. His most recent setbacks came in the middleweight division, and this return to 170 pounds could be a much-needed reset.
UFC London will be headlined by a high-stakes welterweight title fight between reigning champion Leon Edwards and surging contender Jack Della Maddalena. Nelson vs. Holland adds further intrigue to the event, offering fans a battle between a submission specialist and a dynamic striker.
Will Nelson’s grappling edge prove too much, or can Holland break his slump with a statement win? March 22 will provide the answers.
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