Report: Gunnar Nelson injures knee, withdraws from UFC Liverpool

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight contender Gunnar Nelson was hoping to get back inside of the Octagon in 2018 for a matchup with Neil Magny at UFC Fight Night 130 on May 27 from Liverpool, England, but will now have to wait longer to make his return.

According to The MMA Takeover, Nelson has suffered a knee injury in training that will require surgery, knocking him out of his co-main event clash with Magny next month.

While UFC has yet to make any official announcement, FloCombat MMA journalist Lucas Grandsire adds to the speculation of the injury after “Gunni” cancelled a planned interview to promote UFC Liverpool.

Nelson, 29, is coming off a devastating knockout loss to streaking contender Santiago Ponzinibbio last year at UFC Fight Night 113 in Glasgow, Scotland. Before that loss, Nelson had recorded back-to-back submission wins over 170-pound threats Alan Jouban and Albert Tumenov. Since making his UFC debut in 2012, the Icelandic submission specialist has produced a respectable 7-3 divisional record, but has failed to cash in when it mattered most.

With no official announcement from the promotion on Nelson’s withdrawal, a replacement opponent for Magny has yet to be determined.

UFC Fight Night 130 will be headlined by a welterweight showdown pitting former title challenger Stephen Thompson against up-and-coming contender Darren Till.

For complete UFC Liverpool fight card news click here.