Canada’s Kyle Nelson will remain a UFC fighter as the promotion has told him they plan on re-signing him.
Although Nelson finished his first contract with a record of 1-3, all of his fights were exciting. Immediately, after his knockout loss to Billy Quarantillo, White and the UFC staff came up to Nelson to tell him they want to re-sign him. However, he has yet to get a contract offer.
But, with the promotion focused on the return of Conor McGregor, he expects to get the contract extension in the coming days or weeks.
“We are just waiting for Dana and the UFC staff to get back and settled from Fight Island,” Nelson said to MMA Empire.
“After my last fight, they told me they wanted to re-sign me and we have been in contact with Sean Shelby. Recently, someone posted on Twitter that Justin Jaynes vs. myself would be a great fight and we both commented saying yes, so we messaged Sean about that fight and he said stay ready for it.”
When he does return, Nelson will move up to lightweight, which he says will be his permanent home. Nelson says the weight cut has been tougher and tougher and it has impacted his cardio.
At lightweight, Nelson expects to have more knockout power and will be able to push a hard pace for three rounds.
“That is the best bet now. I have gotten older with more muscle. The weight cut is starting to impact my cardio and endurance as I am getting older,” Nelson explained.
“Lightweight will be my home. My power will also be better, just everything, cardio, power, lightweight will be a better fit for me.”
The hope for the Canadian is to re-sign with the UFC in the near future and fight again soon. He only had one fight in 2020 after a year-long layoff for reasons out of his control.
When Nelson returns, he points to a Jaynes matchup as one that interests him. However, he just wants to be active and start a winning streak next time out.
“I am in shape again and coming off the Polo Reyes fight, I was uninjured and wanted a quick turnaround. For whatever reason, that didn’t happen and then the pandemic happened and it kept me out of action,” Nelson concluded.
“I’m ready now to return though, even give me two or three weeks of training and I’ll go in there. Ideally, a six-week training camp would be perfect. The Jaynes fight does interest me, but it is really whatever the UFC offers me.”
