Weight Class: Welterweight Conor McGregor's teammate Gunnar Nelson, the Icelandic standout grappler, takes on Brazilian Jiu-jitsu ace Demian Maia in the second fight of the main card. Nelson (14-1-1) is coming off a TKO victory over Brandon Thatch, while Maia (21-6) has won three straight, most recently ending the seven fight winning streak of Neil Magny. Maia is another step up in competition for Nelson, who suffered his first career defeat against Rick Story just prior to the Thatch victory. Arguably, Maia is an even tougher test than Story, though styles make fights, and Nelson may find himself more comfortable against a fighter who likes to do business on the ground. While this might be a big night for his teammate, Nelson may find he still has a way's to go in the welterweight division. Maia by decision.
Primarily covering the sport of MMA from Ontario, Canada, Jay Anderson has been writing for various publications covering sports, technology, and pop culture since 2001. Jay holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Guelph, and a Certificate in Leadership Skills from Humber College.
