Report: Nelson-Kim in works for UFC Belfast main event
A pair of powerful welterweight grapplers are set to face off in the main event of the UFC's return to Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The promotion is working on a headlining bout between Gunnar Nelson and Dong Hyun Kim at UFC Fight Night 99 on Nov. 19, according to MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani. It will be the Octagon's first trip to Belfast since UFC 72 on June 16, 2007.
The two fighters are neck-and-neck in the UFC's official rankings, with Kim sitting at no. 10 and Nelson close behind at no. 12. It will be the second main event opportunity for both men.
Nelson will have something of a home-field advantage as he trains out of the Straight Blast Gym in Dublin, Ireland alongside featherweight superstar Conor McGregor. The Iceland native has alternated wins and losses in his past four bouts, with a neck crank submission win over Albert Tumenov in his last outing.
Kim has not competed since last November when he scored a first-round TKO of Dominic Waters. An injury knocked Kim out of a match with Neil Magny on Aug. 20. "Stun Gun" has won six of his last seven fights, a run that includes three knockouts and one submission.