Yahoo Sports UFC Fight Night 82 Results: Roy Nelson Decisions Jared Rosholt in Uneventful Co-Main Event
Number 11-ranked heavyweight Roy Nelson has made a career out of knocking opponents out. He was matched up against three-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler Jared Rosholt at UFC Fight Night 82 on Saturday, and the fight didn’t live up to its co-main event billing.
Nelson incorporated a crouching stance to counter Rosholt’s takedown threat. He moved forward, headhunting while Rosholt moved laterally on the outside trying to avoid standing directly in front of “Big Country.”
Rosholt used his jab and reach advantage to keep Nelson on the outside. Nelson continuously moved forward, but was unable to land anything significant. The bout marred with long periods of inactivity with Nelson missing with power shots and Rosholt retreating when Nelson was able to close the distance.
RELATED > UFC Fight Night 82: Hendricks vs. Thompson Full Results and Fight Analytics
After fifteen minutes, Nelson was declared the winner by unanimous decision. Following the fight, he accused Rosholt of running instead of engaging.
“I worked so hard on this camp, I tried to ignite the fans and Jared is a great athlete but not a fighter and tonight I proved that. When you have to fight, I just think you have to go out there and fight. I changed his whole game and he ran the whole time so there’s nothing I can do about it,” said Nelson after the win. “I’m like a fine wine, I just get better and better.”
Rosholt only attempted to get the fight to the ground twice during the bout. Keeping it standing was part of his game plan.
“Keeping the fight on the feet was part of the plan, but I’m more of a grinder with a wrestling background so I guess I didn’t realize I was losing as bad as I was. I was trying to use my striking more because I’m trying to be the best all-around fighter I can be,” he said
With the win, Nelson snapped a three-fight losing streak and maintained his top 15 ranking.
