UFC APEX – Streaking featherweights were on deck as Kyle Nelson and Steve Garcia fought to continue their winning ways at UFC Vegas 97 on Saturday night.
Nelson (16-5-1) was earned a top 15 fight against Calvin Kattar, but due to injury, the fight was shelved. Lucky for ‘The Monster’, Garcia stepped up on short-notice, and Nelson got a shot at making it four-wins in a row. He came into UFC Vegas 97 off victories over Blake Bilder, Fernando Padilla and Bill Algeo.
Garcia (16-5) is one of the more underrated featherweights and came into this one on a four-fight win streak. Victories over Chase Hooper, Shayilan Nuerdanbieke, Melquizael Costa, and Seung Woo Choi set him up for a date with Nelson.
Steve Garcia found himself in deep water in the first thirty seconds of the first round allowing Nelson to take his back. Nelson seemed to be taking things slow to control the position and look for a possible submission. Nelson saw a chance to go for the arm bar and Garcia saw a chance to capitalize and slip out into top position landing some of his nasty ground and pound. Garcia landed some nasty elbows leaving a knot on the back of Nelson’s head. The up and coming contender was able to hurt Nelson with a nasty elbow leading to the ground and pound finish.
Steve Garcia put on a great comeback performance in the first round and this was a huge win for his career. Nelson is no easy task and Garcia proved he was up for the task winning his 5th fight in a row stating “As a boy I was praying for moments like these praise god were going for it baby”. Bisping asked Garcia “What was going through your mind when he had your back?” Garcia replied, “I’m a dummy”.
Result: Steve Garcia def. Kyle Nelson via TKO, 3:59
