Leon Edwards continued his impressive winning streak tonight in London by defeating Gunnar Nelson via split decision.
Round One
Front kick to the body from Edwards just misses the target. Body kick does land for Nelson though. Edwards moves in for the clinch, but Nelson gladly clinches up and presses him to the cage.
Nelson works well to get a takedown attempt. Edwards nicely back up only to be taken down again immediately against the cage this time.
Edwards looking to use the cage to stand, but Nelson staying tight to him in the clinch as he does so. edwards bides his time and then is able to reverse the clinch and then brings Nelson down.
Nelson gets to a knee with his back to the cage, but Edwards is trying to sneak his way to his back from half guard.
He manages to do so and Nelson stays patient as he looks for an opportunity to stand. Edwards with one hook for now. Final minute of the round. Nelson bgins to rise and stands up, but Edwards is still bodylocked and brings him back down.
However, moments later Nelson scrambles and stands. Edwards with a body kick just as the round comes to a close.
Round Two:
Both men staying patient on the feet. Nelson throws a head kick that’s blocked. Edwards looking for straight punches, but Nelson stays out of range.
Edwards looking for punches again, but Nelson navigates his way inside and clinches. Edwards with a nice knee to the body and then elbow to the head before breaking free.
Nelson moves into the clinch against the cage. Knee to the leg, then Edwards reverses the position. Good elbow from Edwards as he backs off.
Nelson darts in with a punch to the head and then clinches against the cage. 90 seconds to go in the round. knee to the leg from Nelson, knee for Edwards and then again a strike as he breaks the clinch.
Right hook for Nelson. Clinching up again. Edwards with a knee to the body. He lands again. Now a crisp left hand as he gets away.
Huge elbow for Edwards and Nelson falls to the canvas. Edwards landing thunderous ground and pound here and nelson is dazed, but he’s going to make it to the end of the round. There’s a huge swelling high up on Nelson’s right cheek though.
Round Three:
Nelson takes his time, picks his moment and then swoops in for tha takedown. Edwards defending well though. Nelson continuing to work for this takedown against the cage.
Edwards manages to escape. Nelson pressing forward and back into the clinch at the other side of the cage. Edwards shutting down these takedown attempts though and is out again.
Good straight left for Nelson and then to the clinch yet again. However, it’s Edwards who manages to reverse the clinch and immediately work for a takedown, getting Nelson to his knees.
Nelson back up but now it’s Edwards clinching up. Edwards lands an elbow and then another as the break apart. Coming towards a minute to go. Nelson with a very nice leaping punch and then is able to get a takedown.
Nelson knows he has to work quick and he moves into full mount. Less than a minute remaining. He looks at the clock so he knows what he’s got to do.
Ground and pound for Nelson. Edwards trying to hang on for dear life here. 10 seconds left. Nelson not able to get anything going here and only a couple of hammerfists land before the bell sounds.
Decision:
Nelson rallied late, but this was a good performance overall from Edwards and it’s he who emerges with a split decision victory (29-28, 29-27, 28-29).
