The UFC are having a tough time finding an opponent for Gunnar Nelson, according to the director of his gym.
Since Nelson’s phenomenal submission win over Brandon Thatch at UFC 189, the promotion’s matchmakers have been trying to find an opponent willing to fight Icelandic-Irish fighter for the October 24th card in Dublin without success.
Jón Viðar Arnþórsson, director Gunni’s Icelandic team, Mjölnir, claims that every single fighter who have been asked to take on his fighter have said no, citing a variety of excuses.
It was thought that Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson or Demian Maia were being lined up to take on the honorary Irish man.
UFC Tonight confirmed Maia had been lined up to fight Gunni, but he was forced to withdraw with a staph infection on his left leg. The elite grappler is ranked 10th in the welterweight division, is currently riding a three-fight win streak and would have provided arguably the toughest test of Nelson’s career.
The report also ruled “Wonderboy” out as he too is banged up to compete on short notice. So unfortunately neither fight is going to happen.
Photo credit: MMA Fighting
At the time of writing. the confirmed bouts for the UFC Fight Night 77 in Dublin are as follows;
Joseph Duffy vs. Dustin Poirier
Norman Parke vs. Reza Madadi
Cathal Pendred vs. Tom Breese
Scott Askham vs. Krzysztof Jotko
Bubba Bush vs Garreth McLellan
Hat-tip to Iceland Monitor
