UFC 146 Results: 5 Fights for Roy Nelson to Take Next

Roy Nelson, the rotund, bearded thorn in Dana White’s side, looked crisp in dispatching Dave Herman with a single punch at UFC 146.

With his quick, decisive win on the first all-heavyweight main card in company history, many have turned their attention to the possible fights that lurk out there for the Renzo Gracie jiu-jitsu black belt.

Some possibilities include:

Stipe Miocic

Miocic is young and unproven in the eyes of some, but he also looked good at UFC 146 in a win over Shane del Rosario. He has a remarkable pedigree as a Golden Gloves boxer and high-level college wrestler, and has long been a hot prospect in the eyes of many who follow the sport.

Let him go in and try on the most durable veteran in the game for size. Nelson isn’t the most technically proficient boxer alive, but he has exceptional power. He’s also not a man with a great wrestling background, but if he gets it to the ground his grappling is top notch.

It’s a great way to establish a path for either guy, regardless of the winner.

Antonio Silva

The man they call “Bigfoot” suffered a rude welcome to the UFC when he ran afoul of the buzzsaw that was former champion Cain Velasquez. Motivated in a way not seen in a long time, Velasquez went through Silva like a hot knife through (very gory) butter.

Still, Silva is a legitimate threat in the heavyweight division. His striking has improved, his jiu-jitsu is excellent and he’s made some strides in his wrestling as well. He basically just found himself in the worst possible matchup available at UFC 146.

These two were originally slated to meet anyway, so make it happen the next time Roy hits the Octagon.

Alistair Overeem

Perhaps no one has been more critical of PED use in MMA than Nelson, who is admittedly fueled by cheeseburgers more than synthetic testosterone. Given his recent troubles with the syringe, and also a longtime stigma that has surrounded his ridiculous physique, a meeting with The Reem could make a lot of sense once he’s served his suspension.

Nelson has the power in his hands to give Overeem trouble, and has the grappling to assure he wouldn’t be threatened on the ground. It would also be the ultimate “technique versus power” matchup, as people would get to see the everyman in Nelson match up against a guy who looks like he fell straight out of a comic book.

It’s a closer fight on paper than people realize at first glance, and has enough of a backstory to sell.

Mark Hunt

The resurgent Hunt was the subject of a campaign to get a shot at Junior Dos Santos when Overeem was pulled from the main event, and he’s won three straight. Unfortunately, he was shelved with a knee injury leading up to a slated tilt with Stefan Struve and is likely out for a while.

Even still, upon his return would there be a more appealing matchup than a fight with Roy Nelson? The toughest guys out there, both gifted with phenomenal punching power and the ability to absorb ridiculous punishment, standing toe-to-toe in the cage and slugging to see who’s the better man?

If you don’t like that idea, you don’t like MMA.

Shane Carwin

The UFC has been trying for years to match these two up, the proverbial irresistible force and the immovable object. Carwin has dynamite in his hands and Nelson is probably the most durable man to ever wear 4oz. gloves.

With Carwin planning a return in the near future and Nelson obviously unharmed coming out of 146, this fight makes a lot of sense. If Big Country can survive and secure a win, it’s a massive feather in his cap. If Carwin wins, people see that he’s back in a big way with success against a credible veteran threat—especially if it happens by stoppage.

This one seems highly likely to get booked, and if it isn’t, it should be.