Popular UFC heavyweight and general UFC gadfly Roy Nelson said Monday he has no interest in continuing to pursue a fight with Shane Carwin, Nelson’s oft-injured opposing coach on season 16 of The Ultimate Fighter. At the same time, Nelson indicated an openness to any opponent, including fellow hard-hitting heavyweight and TUF 16 finale winner Pat Barry.
“This happened twice so I have no idea,” Nelson said of Carwin’s injury delays on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour broadcast with host Ariel Helwani. “I’m not going to think about him right now because there’s no need to.”
Nelson and Carwin were originally set to scrap in early 2011, but Carwin pulled out because of back and neck pain. The two TUF coaches called off their replacement fight in November following a Carwin knee injury.
“Shane Carwin said he wanted to punch me in the face, but then didn’t really want to punch me in the face,” Nelson said. “Don’t poke the bear.”
Despite the war of words with Carwin, Nelson said he was looking toward other opponents. He noted that he found motivation in the semi-personal nature of the rivalry, which occurred as a result of Mitrione requesting the fight with Nelson.
“It’s like talking on the basketball court. Like, I’m gonna take you to the hole. It’s like, oh, really? Let’s do it,” Nelson said.
As for next steps, Nelson, as he is wont to do, said he was willing to face anyone. When asked by Helwani, he said he’d be willing to face Barry, while delivering a slight jab to the man who defeated Shane del Rosario Saturday night.
“Whoever’s on the UFC roster,” Nelson said of his preference for a next opponent. “But sure, if Pat wants to, I’ll fight Pat. But I talked to Pat, and he said he doesn’t want to fight for a while. He wants a vacation…I’m the kind of guy who likes to work.”
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