Gunnar Nelson set to sign for the Ultimate Fighting Championship

UPDATE: GUNNAR NELSON VS PASCAL KRAUSS ADDED TO UFC ON FUEL IN NOTTINGHAM

Gunnar Nelson is finally poised to sign with the UFC after years of speculation according to Straight Blast Gym Ireland head coach John Kavanagh on facebook moments ago.

“UFC has offered Gunni a contract…here we go! :)” – John Kavanagh

Gunnar recently returned from an hiatus from MMA to concentrate on BJJ, with a dominant win over the tough Alexander Butenko at Cage Contender XII in Dublin, Ireland.

Gunnar Nelson is very well known in BBJ circles for his win over UFC heavyweight veteran and BJJ blackbelt Jeff Monson and for earning his jiu-jitsu blackbelt from Renzo Gracie at just 20 years old.

In 2011, Gunnar decided to take a self imposed MMA hiatus due to accepting an invite to the prestigious Abu Dhabi Combat Club 2011 (ADCC).

This wasn’t Gunnar’s first sabbatical from MMA, in 2009 he earned medals in the Mundials and Pan-American Championships during his first hiatus.

Gunnar comes to SBG Ireland to do his pre-fight camp and we caught up with Cage Contender Welterweight Champion Cathal Pendred and Cage Contender Middleweight Champion Chris Fields who have both trained with Gunnar at Straight Blast Gym.

“It’s great news! Well deserved, he’s one of the best grapplers on the planet. He’s going to cause problems for any fighter in that 170 division”

“It’s great for SBG. Now that we have one guy in the UFC, it should open the door for more of us.”

“SBG can now become a powerhouse in world MMA.” said Cathal Pendred

Nelson is known for his calm in the cage and has amassed an unbeaten 9-0-1 professional record, with the draw coming in his very first fight back in 2007.

“It’s great news, the guy deserves it so much, he is a beast. Not only is it great for SBG but it’s great for Irish and Icelandic MMA, cause I know he will make such a big impression and it might open the door for a few of us”

“I’m headed over to train with him tomorrow for a week, and i’m sure, knowing him there won’t be a chance of expression on his face” – said Chris Fields

Straight Blast Gym Ireland head coach John Kavanagh revealed a few more details to us moments ago…

“He has been offered a four fight deal, there is no date set for his first fight, early days.”

When asked if Nottingham was too soon he continued

“No… maybe, we will know in maybe a week” said Kavanagh

When asked about possible opponents for Gunnar’s UFC debut, Kavanagh was keeping his cards close to his chest

“Well, we’ll have to wait for the first fight announcement”

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Check out Gunnar’s last fight at Cage Contender XII below

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