A few circumstances has resulted in me writing about this event quite late but it is what it is. Time is still on my side when it comes to the last three most interesting fights on this card!
Today's Fight Night takes place across the pond and it is taking place in prime time for London so fans from America like myself will be watching the event with the sun up. I don't mind it at all, and I'm glad folks from the UK can enjoy a good Saturday night of fights.
This fight night is pretty strong but as I said, the last three fights have really caught my eye in a big way.
The third to last fight is between humble veteran Gunnar Nelson and well liked, outgoing, entertaining fighter Kevin Holland in a welterweight bout. Gunnar is also well liked but he's becoming increasingly less active these days so his skill and place in the sport is becoming a bit more hazy. This is Gunnar's first fight in over two years. His last three fights came in 2019, 2022 and 2023. This inactivity is interesting and I worry if this will hurt his ability to fight at a high level. While Gunnar doesn't fight often, his opponent Kevin Holland spams fights and has sort of become the modern day Donald Cerrone the way he is not only so active, but is willing to fight at different weight classes.
Today will be Nelson's fourth fight in six years whereas today will be Holland's fourth fight in roughly nine months. Holland and Nelson's styles are also greatly different in the cage as well as out. Holland is a big striker, while Nelson is a great grappler. One similarity here is though that while both these fighters are super capable and competent, for the most part, these guys have lost most of the 'big' fights they've competed in. This fight is low-key iconic though. They are overall slightly above average fighters but have gained legacy over time in their own ways. Gunnar is a humble, likeable fighter from Iceland who has been in the UFC since 2012. I can't think of many or any other Icelandic fighters so yeah, Gunnar has a really solid fanbase for these reasons. For Kevin, his exciting style, entertaining personality and sheer activity essentially has allowed himself to speedrun his way to pretty much always being semi-relevant even if he takes some losses.
I got Holland winning! Hard to choose this fight but I think Holland's activity and need for a win pushes him towards victory.
The co-main event looks good! Former light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz returns to the cage for the first time since summer of 2023 as he fights a surging contender Carlos Ulberg.
Jan is an absolute tank while Ulberg seems quite inexperienced in my humble opinion. Ulberg can change his life out in London though, and he's nearly a decade younger than Jan. So those circumstances favor Ulberg. Hmmmm.
I got Jan winning though! Wouldn't be mad if he got this win and just retired! An Ulberg win may age well, and it would be such a quality way to go out. Of course that's his decision. I think given the state of the light heavyweight division, there could be a path for Jan to get the title back even at his older age.
The main event is a big one in the welterweight division! Former champion Leon Edwards fights in his first non title fight since 2021 as he takes on #5 ranked fighter Sean Brady. This is a gigantic opportunity for both fighters but more so for Brady in particular. Brady has been grinding in the UFC for a good little minute here and a win like this would solidify his career. No matter what happens the rest of his MMA career, a win over Leon Edwards would etch his name in the game significantly. A win for either fighter may surely grant a title shot.
Leon is one of the better welterweights of all-time and could surely keep climbing those ranks with some more clutch wins. The man is still only 33! His title reign was respectable beating awesome names and defending his belt twice! Leon is no joke whatsoever!!
I think Leon wins today! Leon is an interesting fighter with kind of a unique style. He is deadly well-rounded with extra great skills like sniper level striking, octagon IQ and overall just quality patience in the cage. I believe Leon outclasses Brady but Brady learns a lot from this experience! An upset for Brady would be pretty nuts though. Brady and I are from similar areas so I'd love to see him succeed!
Should be a great time!
