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19th Mar 2017

John Kavanagh proposes absolutely huge step-up for Gunnar Nelson

Ambitious

Ben Kiely

Gunnar Nelson has already survived three rounds of Demian Maia, but what John Kavanagh’s suggesting would be a completely different challenge to the grappling master.

For the first time since 2014, Gunnar Nelson is riding a two-fight win-streak. His most recent win came on the UFC London card, where he scored a stellar second-round submission win over Alan Jouban, snapping the Versace model’s own streak in the welterweight division at three.

The Icelander isn’t one to call fighters out. He doesn’t like to focus on who he would like to fight as he has the mentality that he will eventually face every single one of them.

So his SBG head coach has decided to do the calling out on his behalf. With no opponents lined up, Kavanagh suggested a match-up against top contender Stephen Thompson, in a karate vs karate affair.

Wonderboy doesn’t have an opponent following his 10 closely-fought title fight rounds to Tyron Woodley. The UFC don’t seem to keen to complete the trilogy immediately after the chess-match sequel received backlash for the lack of action, so Thompson will have to look down the rankings for his next test.

With the winner of Jorge Masvidal and Demain Maia likely to get the next crack at ‘the Chosen One’, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that Nelson could book a title shot by beating Thompson.


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