Neil Magny needs a new opponent at UFC 202 and there’s one name on everyone’s lips.
Top ranked welterweight Dong Hyun Kim (21-3-1, 1NC) has been forced to withdraw from his fight against Magny due to injury.
The South Korean striking sensation was looking to move one step closer towards title contention following a very successful 2015 which saw him win both his fights last year inside the distance. Stun Gun was coming off a brutal first round TKO win against Dominic Waters at UFC Seoul in November, which came after his slick submission of Josh Burkman at UFC 187.
However, he revealed on Instagram that he injured his lateral collateral ligament and although it is unknown at this time how long he will be out of action for, he confirmed that he will not be ready for UFC 202.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHxsZ16BmUM/?taken-by=stungunkim&hl=en
One welterweight who looks like he could fit right into that vacant spot and face Magny is Icelandic grappling star and honourary Irishman, Gunnar Nelson.
Nelson (15-2-1) is coming off one of the best performances of his career at, a second-round submission of victory over highly-touted rising star Albert Tumenov at UFC Rotterdam.
Meanwhile, Magny (18-4) has been in flying form inside the Octagon over the past three years. He is riding a three-fight win streak, with his most recent victory being a third round TKO of Hector Lombard. The former TUF contestant has just the solitary loss in his last 10 fights which came to Demian Maia who, interestingly enough, is also the last man to defeat Nelson inside the Octagon.
Gunni has proved to be a bit of a good luck charm for his training partner, Conor McGregor, who takes on Nate Diaz in a welterweight do-over in the 202. Every time he has shared a card with him, the Notorious has recorded a landmark win, such as his knockout of Diego Brandao in the UFC’s return to Dublin, his interim-belt winning performance against Chad Mendes at UFC 189 and that 13-second annihilation of Jose Aldo at UFC 194.
No wonder why Irish fans in particular are crying out for him to be added to the card.
If Stun Gun is out, Gunnar Nelson vs. Neil Magny please.
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) July 12, 2016
I know @GunniNelson is ready to step up and take this fight!! Make it happen @danawhite. #SBGIreland #Mjolnir #UFC202
— k.alexander🇨🇦 (@screamin200) July 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/TylerIrvin9/status/753114011407974401
@danawhite Bring @GunniNelson to ufc202 against Neil Magny
— Nemanja Kospenda (@NKospenda) July 12, 2016
Neil Magny átti að berjast við Dong Hyun Kim en Kim meiddist. Gunnar Nelson gæti barist við Magny á #UFC202 20. ágú. pic.twitter.com/WhtSBRhVof
— Magnús Sigurbjörnsson (@sigurbjornsson) July 12, 2016
@seanshelby @GunniNelson vs @NeilMagny is the fight to make
— Arnold 🇭🇷 (@Maximilius39) July 12, 2016
I hear @NeilMagny needs an opponent. How does @GunniNelson sound? Would be a badass fight @danawhite @ufc #UFC202
— Hjortur T. Halldors. (@HTHalldorsson) July 12, 2016
@GunniNelson vs Neil magny at 202 please @ufc
— Eoghan (@TheHeff__) July 12, 2016
