It wasn't the quick, flashy win many expected. But welterweight prospect Gunnar Nelson notched another impressive victory Saturday with a methodical performance against veteran Jorge Santiago at UFC on FOX 7 in London.
Nelson won on a unanimous decision, with scores of 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27.
More Coverage: UFC on FUEL TV 7 Results | UFC news
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In a close round one, Nelson scored a takedown, but otherwise looked nonchalant. Santiago scored with several solid strikes, including a big knee early.
Nelson took control of the fight in round two, however. Rarely wasting any motion, Nelson scored a takedown midway through the round and efficiently worked Santiago over.
In the third, Nelson opened up his strikes in the standup, landing one uppercut after another. Santiago tagged Nelson in the closing seconds, but it was too little, too late.
Nelson, a Renzo Gracie protege from Rekjavik, Iceland, improved to 11-0-1 overall and 2-0 in the UFC. Santiago, who was dropping down from middleweight, slipped to 25-11 and had a two-fight win streak snapped.
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