SBG's Icelandic import Gunni Nelson rebounded from a defeat at the hands and arms of Demian Maia with a career-best victory over Albert Tumenov at UFC Fight Night 87 in Rotterdam.
The 27-year-old Nelson laid a beat-down on the 13-ranked Tumenov (17-3), who entered the contest on the back of a five-fight win streak. The Ice Man becomes the first fighter to stop Tumenov.
Nelson's striking was much improved from the Maia fight in the opening exchanges as he imposed his speed advantage on his Russian adversary. In round one, after a number of sharp left hooks landed clean on Tumenov, Nelson brought the contest to the floor. He expertly manouevered Tumenov's hand away from his hip before taking up the mount and peppering the struggling Tumenov with elbows.
Tumenov never really recovered between rounds, and fight was called off at the 3:15 mark of the second stanza, as a dominant and more agile-looking Nelson locked in a rear-naked choke to finish the job.
With the victory, his record improves to 15-2-1 (6-2 UFC). His five victories by submission in the UFC welterweight division put him level with Matt Hughes for the second-most ever, one behind Chris Lytle with six.
And Gunnar Nelson gets the win by rear naked choke #UFCRotterdam ? pic.twitter.com/RgCmM41pEf
— Jammy (@GibbinsJd) May 8, 2016
And the MMA world was seriously impressed with Nelson's performance:
HUUUUUUUUGE win for @GunniNelson!! #UFCRotterdam
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2016
Great win for Gunnar Nelson. Most complete performance of his career over a much better opponent than Thatch. #UFCRotterdam
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) May 8, 2016
Gunnar Nelson is a SAVAGE. #NeckCrankSunday #UFCRotterdam https://t.co/7X1rURux1j
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) May 8, 2016
Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor
Nick Diaz vs. Gunnar Nelson
MAKE THIS HAPPEN— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) May 8, 2016
That was an absolute clinic by Gunnar Nelson. Came in looking stronger, in better shape. And he ran through Albert Tumenov. Impressive.
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) May 8, 2016
Good god, that was nasty. Gunnar Nelson looked like he was out to break Tumenov's jaw. Taps him. Just a tremendous performance.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) May 8, 2016
There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of animals Gunnar Nelson allows to live.#UFCRotterdam
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) May 8, 2016
Earlier on Sunday afternoon, there was disappointing news for Neil Seery.
