Roy Nelson: Win over Mir will merit title shot
With a clean sweep on “The Ultimate Fighter 10” and a first-round knockout of Stefan Struve, Nelson fought his way…
With a clean sweep on “The Ultimate Fighter 10” and a first-round knockout of Stefan Struve, Nelson fought his way into a No. 1 contender’s bout with Junior Dos Santos at UFC 117. Disaster struck when he injured his knee in the first round of the fight, though he hung in there for three rounds of striking before Dos Santos was declared the winner by decision.
Then his career skidxsx to a complete stop. UFC president Dana White said Nelson was knee-deep in a contractual dispute with Roy Jones Jr. and might not fight again until the legal snafu was cleared. (Nelson’s problems are not expected to be an issue moving forward.)
Nelson said a fight with Shane Carwin was locked and loaded for UFC 125 before the onetime contender had to withdraw due to injury.
“When the fans are clamoring to see Roy fight, and then a lot of heavyweights are already taken, I think all you can do is buy more time,” Nelson said. “I already knew the answer, and apparently nobody listened.
“That’s usually what happens when you’re at the back of the bus. Nobody listens.”
“I’m fighting a two-time champion, the longest reigning heavyweight employed by current Zuffa. He’s basically a legend of the heavyweight division. I think whoever wins this fight is going to get the next title shot.”
“I’m in my prime. I became a champion in other organizations. Now, I just want to make a run at this. Pretty much any organization I get into I become champion. So this is my run in the UFC.”
Nelson and Mir meet at UFC 130, May 28 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. On Monday the bout was was promoted to co-main-event status when lightweight champ Frankie Edgar and challenger Gray Maynard was scratched due to injuries suffered by both fighters.