LONDON –
Canadian lightweight Kyle (The Monster) Nelson, who returned to the game after a 22-month absence, started strong but fell en route to a loss to Englishman Jai (Black Country Banger) Herbert on a UFC Fight Night card on Saturday.
All three judges scored 29-28 for Herbert (12-4-0), each giving him the final two rounds.
Nelson (13-5-0) scored more significant hits, 41-36 according to UFC stats, but Herbert had more control time, five minutes and 57 seconds compared to the Canadian’s 3:07.
“I felt like I was better than my opponent in every fight. But I left the fight to the judges in enemy territory,” Nelson said of the fight via social media. “I have more to show! No injuries hope to be back soon!”
In the Main Event at the O2 Arena, American Curtis (Razor) Blaydes, fourth place heavyweight contender, took on sixth placed Tom Aspinall of England.
Both Nelson and Herbert weighed 155 pounds with the 31-year-old from Huntsville, Ontario, who trains in Stoney Creek, Ontario, making the jump from featherweight (145 pounds) to lightweight.
Both needed a win, each coming into the cage 1-3-0 in the UFC after losing to a nasty KO last time out.
Nelson was felled by Billy Quarantillo in September 2020, while Herbert was stopped by Spain’s Ilia (El Matador) Topuria at the same location in March.
Nelson said his endurance at 155 pounds is much better, adding that fighting at featherweight “just doesn’t make sense anymore.”
Herbert, 34, at six feet tall, held an advantage of two inches in height and six inches of reach over Nelson, who was booed at his announcement.
Nelson landed several early kicks on Herbert, pinning the English fighter against the fence to bring him down. Nelson hit a couple of elbows but couldn’t get Herbert down.
“Just give me another one like that,” Nelson’s corner told him between rounds.
In the second round, Hebert looked for his shot. Nelson continued with leg kicks and then attempted to knock Herbert down again at the fence.
Herbert resisted the takedown while the two fought nearby. Nelson seemed to tire as the lap ended and Herbert came forward.
“It’s all about this last lap… You have to be great now,” Herbert was told at his corner.
Herbert appeared to be suffering from an injury to his leg from Nelson’s kicks early in the third round. But he got a break when the two went down with Nelson on the ground.
Herbert controlled Nelson on the ground, pinning him against the fence but not doing much damage. Nelson fought his way back up with a minute left in the fight.
The fight ended with another clinch at the fence, with Hebert fighting off a takedown attempt.
Nelson’s first win in the UFC was an impressive first-round KO win over Mexican Marco Polo Reyes in September 2019 in Mexico City. The Canadian previously lost by submission to American Matt (Robo) Sayles and by TKO to Brazilian Diego Ferreira.
He was due to meet Sean (The Sniper) Woodson with a catch weight of 150lbs in Las Vegas in June 2020. But Nelson couldn’t get his visa in time with less than three weeks’ notice.
Nelson is co-owner of the Muskoka Martial Arts Academy in Gravenhurst, Ontario.
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This report from The Canadian Press was first published on July 23, 2022