Canadian lightweight Kyle Nelson loses UFC bout by decision

LONDON –

Canadian light-weight Kyle (The Monster) Nelson, returning to motion after a 22-month-absence, began strongly however light en path to a loss by choice to England’s Jai (Black Nation Banger) Herbert on a UFC Struggle Evening card Saturday.

All three judges scored it 29-28 to Herbert (12-4-0), every giving him the final two rounds.

Nelson (13-5-0) scored extra vital strikes, 41 to 36 in accordance with UFC Stats, however Herbert had extra management time, 5 minutes 57 second in comparison with 3:07 for the Canadian.

“I felt like I used to be higher than my opponent in every single place within the combat. However I let the combat go to the judges in enemy territory,” Nelson stated through social media in regards to the bout. “I nonetheless have extra to point out! No accidents hope to be again quickly!”

The principle occasion on the O2 Area pitted American Curtis (Razor) Blaydes, ranked fourth amongst heavyweight contenders, in opposition to No. 6 Tom Aspinall of England.

Each Nelson and Herbert weighed in at 155 kilos with the 31-year-old from Huntsville, Ont., who trains out of Stoney Creek, Ont., making the transfer as much as light-weight from featherweight (145 kilos).

Each wanted a win, every coming into the cage at 1-3-0 within the UFC after dropping by nasty knockout final outing.

Nelson was felled by Billy Quarantillo in September 2020 whereas Herbert was stopped by Spain’s Ilia (El Matador) Topuria in March on the identical venue.

Nelson stated his stamina at 155 kilos is a lot better, including that combating at featherweight “simply does not make any sense any extra.”

At six foot one, the 34-year-old Herbert had a two-inch peak and six-inch attain benefit over Nelson, who was greeted with boos when he was introduced.

Nelson landed a number of early kicks on Herbert and pinned the English fighter to the fence, trying to take him down. Nelson linked with a few elbows however was unable to get Herbert down.

“Give me one other one similar to that,” Nelson’s nook informed him between rounds.

Hebert regarded to seek out his putting vary within the second spherical. Nelson continued with leg kicks after which regarded to take Herbert down on the fence once more.

Herbert resisted the takedown with the 2 combating in-close. Nelson appeared to tire because the spherical ended with Herbert coming ahead.

“It is all on this final spherical … You should be high quality now,” Herbert was informed by his nook.

Herbert seemed to be affected by injury to his leg from Nelson’s kicks because the third spherical began. However he acquired a break when the 2 went right down to the bottom with Nelson on the underside.

Herbert managed Nelson on the bottom, pushing him up in opposition to the fence however failing to inflict a lot injury. Nelson fought his method again up with a minute remaining within the bout.

The combat ended with the 2 in one other clinch by the fence, with Hebert combating of a takedown try.

Nelson’s first win within the UFC was a powerful first-round knockout of Mexican Marco Polo Reyes in September 2019 in Mexico Metropolis. The Canadian had beforehand misplaced by submission to American Matt (Robo) Sayles and by TKO to Brazil’s Diego Ferreira.

He was scheduled to satisfy Sean (The Sniper) Woodson at a catchweight of 150 kilos in June 2020in Las Vegas. However Nelson, given lower than three weeks discover, was unable to get his visa in time.

Nelson is co-owner of Muskoka Martial Arts Academy in Gravenhurst, Ont.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first printed July 23, 2022