The UFC returned to Sweden on Saturday at UFC Fight Night 53 with a sizable contingent of European talent.
The main event featured Icelandic prospect Gunnar Nelson opposite welterweight staple Rick Story. Despite Nelson’s incredible talent on the ground and Story’s wrestling base, the fight was almost exclusively contested on the feet. Both fighters scored points early, but Story’s veteran savvy proved to be the difference as he adjusted to Nelson’s dependence on his right cross and dominated exchanges in the later rounds.
While the fight would go down as a split decision, it was a legitimately lopsided affair following the second round. The beatdown casts serious doubts about Nelson’s “next big thing” status and will likely see him ushered out of the rankings as a result (he currently sits at No. 12).
Things went poorly for Nelson, but they arguably went worse for the Stockholm crowd, as Swedish fighters went 1-4 on the night.
Max Holloway extended his 2014 winning streak to four by defeating Akira Corassani. While Corassani briefly flashed his all-around skills, Holloway landed a brutal series of punches that left him unable to continue. The 22-year-old Holloway is quickly asserting himself as a top featherweight talent and will likely have the opportunity to climb into the UFC rankings in his next fight.
Surging light heavyweight Ilir Latifi’s ascent toward contendership was halted before it truly began by Polish standout Jan Blachowicz. While Latifi has looked amazing on the ground thus far in his UFC career, he was oddly content in striking with a muay thai practitioner. It did not pay off, however, as Blachowicz landed a gorgeous liver kick that folded Latifi and then finished him with punches.
Swedish prospect Niklas Backstrom was also dealt a devastating loss by The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes also-ran Mike Wilkinson. Backstrom fought with a champion-like swagger that seems, in retrospect, undeservedly cocky.
While the Swede would razzle and dazzle a bit, he threw a sloppy front kick which was caught by Wilkinson. The Brit followed it up with a devastating right hand that landed clean to the chin and left Backstrom unaware he was even knocked out. This prompted an awkward, albeit brief, hijacking of the microphone during Wilkinson’s post-fight interview with color commentator Dan Hardy, where Backstrom took issue with the stoppage.
The full results are as follows (h/t BloodyElbow.com’s Mookie Alexander):
Main Card
- Rick Story def. Gunnar Nelson via split decision (47-48, 49-46, 50-44)
- Max Holloway def. Akira Corassani via TKO (punches) at 3:11 of Round 1
- Jan Blachowicz def. Ilir Latifi via TKO (body kick and punches) at 1:58 of Round 1
- Mike Wilkinson def. Niklas Backstrom via KO (punches) at 1:19 of Round 1
Preliminary Card
- Magnus Cedenblad def. Scott Askham via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Nico Musoke def. Alexander Yakovlev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Dennis Siver def. Charles Rosa via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Cathal Pendred def. Gasan Umalatov via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Krzysztof Jotko def. Tor Troeng via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
- Mairbek Taisumov def. Marcin Bandel via TKO (punches) at 1:01 of Round 1
- Zubaira Tukhugov def. Ernest Chavez via TKO (punches) at 4:21 of Round 1
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