What To Do With Roy Nelson: Five Options for the UFC

Added on Sep 06, 2010 by Bill Jackson in

UFC & MMA

Last month at UFC 117, heavyweight contender Roy Nelson met fellow contender Junior Dos Santos in a bout to determine the No. 1 challenger for Brock Lesnar’s UFC heavyweight title. While Nelson was certainly game in going the distance with the talented pugilist, he was pounded with numerous hard shots to the body and head and didn’t come close to winning a round. Still, he gained more fans with his toughness and proved he can hang with the best the UFC has to offer.

With the winner getting a future shot at the heavyweight title, the question is now: what’s next for the loser?

Nelson has proven himself to be a tough outing for any heavyweight. He has also established himself as a recognizable face with a style all of his own. The fans are certainly warming up to the former TUF winner and the UFC would be wise to capitalize on his marketability. Here are five options that make sense for the talented big man coming off a loss.

5. Winner of Yvel/ Madsen

At UFC 121, Pride veteran Gilbert Yvel will face undefeated wrestler Jon Madsen. Yvel is 0-2 in the UFC, losing by first-round knockout to Junior Dos Santos and dropping a competitive decision to Ben Rothwell. Now he is in serious need of a win or his run in the UFC is likely over. Madsen is now 3-0 in the UFC following a stint on The Ultimate Fighter, most recently winning an uneventful decision over Karlos Vemola.

The winner of this match would make an ideal return for Roy Nelson. On one hand Nelson could face a veteran of the sport with a pretty good name, and on the other he could face a young undefeated fighter that has proven himself worthy in the UFC.

4. Winner of Kongo/ Browne

Later this month at UFC 120, longtime UFC heavyweight stalwart Cheick Kongo will face off against undefeated Travis Browne in a bout that will determine who actually has a chance against the top of the division. Kongo has had many chances against elite heavyweights and has proven that he is always dangerous on his feet. Kongo has also proven himself to be a marketable name in the UFC. Similar to the first option mentioned, this is a veteran against an undefeated prospect. Either Nelson could face a recognizable face who is coming off a win, or he can welcome a young, budding fighter to the top of the sport.

3. Gabriel Gonzaga

Scheduled for the free preliminary part of the card on Spike TV, UFC 121 will feature burgeoning heavyweight prospect Brendan Schaub against former title challenger Gabriel Gonzaga. Schaub was knocked out by Nelson in the finale of The Ultimate Fighter just last year, so obviously he wouldn’t be an option. But if Gonzaga can manage to get a victory here, he would make an ideal comeback opponent for Nelson. Gonzaga hasn’t looked as promising as he did a few years ago, but he is always dangerous.

2. Loser of Mir/ Cro Cop

There were some that were clamoring for a bout between Nelson and former champion Frank Mir before Nelson’s recent loss. Instead, Nelson got a much tougher test against Dos Santos, and Mir was given a rematch with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Just a few weeks ago, Nogueira was forced to pull out and was replaced by Pride legend Mirko Cro Cop. Frankly, this is a much more attractive match. Nelson would be the perfect next opponent for whoever wins this very attractive bout. Both are big names in the sport, and Nelson would be a tough outing for either.

1. Ben Rothwell

Former Roy Nelson conqueror Ben Rothwell just recently scored his first UFC win over previously mentioned Gilbert Yvel. Still, he had a lot of shaky moments and was almost stopped in the second round of the bout. He needs to prove himself again against a solid opponent like Nelson and two have history. Nelson dropped a split decision to Rothwell in the IFL, and surely Nelson would want a chance to avenge that loss. Basically, whoever wins this fight will compete at the top levels of the division and the loser will assume the role of gatekeeper.

Wild card: Winner of Mitrione/ Beltran

Matt Mitrione is quickly gaining the attention of fans after stopping the popular Kimbo Slice and booting him from the UFC. Next he faces Mexican brawler Joey Beltran at UFC 119. The winner of that fight certainly would still be considered far from the level of Nelson, but the UFC has given young fighters chances many times before to test their mettle. This would be a marketable match and a soft touch for a Nelson comeback.