UFC Fight Night 53 results: Rick Story wins decision over Gunnar Nelson

The headlining attraction of today's (Sat., Oct. 4, 2014) UFC Fight Night 53: "Nelson vs. Story" event from the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, featured rising undefeated welterweight Gunnar Nelson hoping to continue his streak of wins (13 entering this one) against the always dangerous, if inconsistent, Rick Story.

He didn't.

This was a war of attrition. Story attacked the lead leg with hard kicks while mixing in punches and avoiding any and all clinch attempts. He was also strong in his takedown defense.

Nelson was jumping in, looking to clinch when he could, but Story was keeping him at bay.

In the fourth, after winning the first few rounds slow and steady, Story's power, often mentioned but rarely visible throughout his pro career, was made obvious when he planted "Gunni" with a hard shot. The follow up failed to earn a finish but it put an exclamation point on the fact that "Horror" had won the first four rounds and only needed to survive the fifth to win the fight.

Nelson was desperate, too, and it showed in how much more aggressive he was. For whatever it's worth, Dan Hardy, working as a color commentator, was dishing out effusive praise for Gunnar despite the fact that he was quite clearly getting beat.

And that was the ultimate result. After five hard fought rounds, Story earned a split decision victory on scores of 47-48, 49-46, and 50-44.

That card for Nelson will undoubtedly be scrutinized, as it should be.

For complete UFC Fight Night 53 results and reactions click here.