UFC Fight Night Nelson v Story: Main Card Preview & Predictions
By Alex Dillon @ADillon__
The UFC returns to Sweden for the 3rd year in a row Saturday night at the Ericsson Globe Arena, Stockholm as undefeated Icelandic sensation Gunnar ‘Gunni’ Nelson headlines the card against Rick ‘The Horror’ Story. In the co-main event, featherweights Max Holloway and Akira Corrasani are set to face off.
Gunnar Nelson (13-0-1) vs Rick Story (17-8)
Since returning from a serious knee injury, Gunnar Nelson has finished both of his opponents via submission and looked superb in doing so. Story, has had mixed fortunes lately with 2 wins out of his last 4. It’s worth noting that his two losses were two split decisions with many believing he won the fight against Kelvin Gastelum. This is a good test for the undefeated Nelson as he faces an aggressive wrestler who packs huge KO power in Story. It’s hard to see Nelson not winning if it goes to the ground but it’s whether he can get it there as Story is a solid wrestler. The matchup itself should show where Nelson is within the Welterweight division in my opinion, if he gets past a legit fighter in Story; he’s got a case to be in the top ten rankings. Nelson picks up the win by submission here.Prediction: Nelson by Submission
Max Holloway (10-3) vs Akira Corrasani (12-4)
This featherweight fight was originally meant to be Chan Sung Jung vs Akira Corrasani but the former pulled out through injury so Max Holloway stepped in to replace him. For a 22 year old, Holloway has an solid record in the UFC and has only lost to title contenders in Conor McGregor, Dennis Bermudez and Dustin Poirier. He comes into this fight having finished his last 3 opponents (2 KO’s and 1 sub) but faces a good fighter in Akira Corassani. Corassani dropped his last fight to Dustin Poirier via KO but before that he himself was on a 3 fight winning streak. In the Poirier fight he had his opponent in all sorts of trouble and that is what he brings with his game which Holloway should be aware of. Corrasani is also fighting in his home country which you can bet will have him fired up. This could be a contender for FOTN honours and i expect Holloway to win it.Prediction: Holloway by KO
Ilir Latifi (9-3) vs Jan Blachowicz (17-3)
Since making his extremely short notice debut vs Gegard Mousasi at the last UFC on Swedish soil, Ilir Latifi has been in great form finishing both Cyrille Diabate and Chris Dempsey via submission and TKO respectively. His opponent Jan Blachowicz makes his debut for the UFC in this bout and brings a 5 fight winning streak with all of his fights coming in one of Europe’s biggest promotions KSW. Latifi can certainly become a contender in a shallow light heavyweight division and with his recent form you wouldn't bet against it. Blachowicz has won his last four fights via decision and I see Latifi being too much for him on his debut.Prediction: Latifi via TKO
Mike Wilkinson (8-1) vs Niklas Backstrom (8-0)
This featherweight bout pits Englishman Mike Wilkinson vs undefeated Swedish prospect Niklas Backstrom. Wilkinson has not featured in the Octagon since a submission loss to Rony Markes back in Brazil in June 2013 due to injury problems. Before that he successful defeated Brendan Loughnane at the Ultimate Fighter Finale: The Nations in which he was a part of the show. Backstrom made his debut for the UFC back in May at UFC: Berlin where he successfully submitted Tom Niinimaki via Rear-naked choke. Wilkinson will look to grind Backstrom down with his tough approach come fight night but Backstrom seems like a real prospect and with Wilkinson just returning from injury, Backstrom should continue his climb up the ranks.Prediction: Backstrom via Submission
UFC Fight Pass Prelims
Magnus Cedenblad vs Scott AskhamNico Musoke vs Alexander Yakovlev
Dennis Siver vs Charles Rosa
Cathal Pendred vs Gasan Umalatov
Tor Troeng vs Krzysztof Jotko
Mairbek Taisumov vs Marcin Bandel
Zubaira Tukhugov vs Ernest Chavez
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