UFC 185 Results: 3 Fights for Roy Nelson to Take Next

Roy Nelson is that rare fighter whose value to the sport exceeds his fighting potential, much like Matt Brown. No one is blind to his limitations, both physical and technical, yet his appeal eclipses that of many more gifted mixed martial artists. Nelson’s gutsy—no pun intended—loss to Alistair Overeem at UFC 185 only enhances his rugged reputation.

He’s “Stone Cold” Steve Austin with a mullet and a snail-like metabolism. Even Nelson’s patriotic misappropriation of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” is oddly endearing. His image is that of the everyman, and one suspects he does more to play up that persona than he’d have us believe.

We see an apparently out-of-shape 38-year-old man competing with genetically blessed, technically superior athletes and holding his own. There’s inspiration to be found in that narrative, even if it is one that’s somewhat skewed.

Nelson, of course, has always been more physically gifted than he looks. He’s not Cain Velasquez, but nor is he Cody McKenzie. He is a good athlete with a deceptively deep skill set and a right hand that could stiffen an elephant.

We’re unlikely to see Nelson even so much as fight for the title, but his value has never been in starring as the face of the UFC’s heavyweight division—this scenario is probably a fixture of Dana White’s nightmares. He’s a carnival curiosity and a desirable scalp for anyone in the heavyweight division’s top 20.

Without further delay, let’s engage in a little speculation over what’s next on Big Country's agenda.

Josh Barnett

USA TODAY Sports

Here’s the problem with Roy Nelson and this kind of list: He has fought so many fighters in the top 20 that it’s difficult to suggest fresh opponents who aren’t already booked to fight.

That being said, Josh Barnett fits the bill. He hasn’t fought since his loss to Travis Browne in late 2013. Whether The Warmaster is itching to suit up again is unclear, but a fight with Nelson would certainly get the fans’ attention.

What makes this one interesting is the possibility that Big Country will be forced to show off his mat skills for the first time in a long time. Both men are outstanding on the floor, but it’s a facet of Nelson’s game he rarely utilizes.

Then again, we may be treated to a bruising stand-up contest between two of the heavyweight division’s toughest veterans.

Either one is fine by me.

Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva

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Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva has had a brutal couple of years. After earning a surprise title shot and subsequently getting mauled by Cain Velasquez, he has been on a sharp decline.

Things were looking up for the Brazilian when he tore the house down with Mark Hunt in late 2013, but his performance was undermined by a post-fight drug test that revealed a T/E ratio one would expect to find in the Incredible Hulk.

Having lost to Frank Mir as recently as last month, both circumstance and timing make sense for these two to square off.

Brendan Schaub

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Brendan Schaub hasn’t earned another shot at Roy Nelson given how poor his recent performances have been. The Fighter and the Kid co-host talks a big game, but he doesn’t really have the tools to back it up, which is unfortunate because he is extremely likable and promotes himself well.

The pair’s first bout at The Ultimate Fighter 10 finale introduced Nelson’s nuclear punching power to the world, when an overhand right folded Schaub over like a deck chair.

I worried about Alistair Overeem’s chin when he faced Big Country at UFC 185. Those concerns would be magnified for Schaub, who arguably owns the weakest chin, pound-for-pound, in the sport. He also doesn’t possess the kind of footwork that would allow him to avoid Nelson’s right hand for 15 minutes.

It’s not a fight anyone is eager to see, but Big Country doesn’t have an awful lot of options available.