Roy Nelson already thinking about the heavyweight belt. Photo: Josh Hedges
Champion of the now-defunct IFL Roy Nelson was one of the most controversial fighters on the 10th season of the “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show. His carefree ways, jelly belly and even a certain laziness in training didn’t keep him from winning the show and earning a UFC contract.
In his first appearance since the TV show, he had a splendid showing in beating Stefan Struve by technical knockout. Now the fighter’s attention has turned to the heavyweight belt and his eyes are on one of the new stars of the division, Junior “Cigano” dos Santos. On the Brazilian knockout artist, Nelson heaps praise, but admits interest in fighting him.
“I’d love to face him. I feel Dos Santos deserves a shot at the title before Cain Velasquez, because he’s beaten better opposition. He beat some really good guys. I feel he deserves a shot,” he told MMAWeekly.