Nathaniel Wood survived a gritty, high-pressure test on Saturday night at UFC 321, edging out a relentless Jose Delgado in a hard-fought battle that demanded every ounce of composure and experience from the English standout.
In one of the evening’s most competitive matchups, Wood’s veteran savvy under fire proved to be the difference.
“I didn’t expect it to be that tough. The plan was to go in and make it look easy, but unfortunately I had to bite down on the gum shield, and make a hard night in the office,” Wood told reporters including Cageside Press at his post-fight scrum.
“I think the crowd enjoyed the fight, I know Dana (White) enjoyed the fight, so if everyone enjoyed it then that makes me happy.”
Wood (22-6) acknowledged that Delgado forced him into deep waters, pushing the pace and making him earn every moment of control. Still, he never doubted his ability to endure adversity when the fight got gritty.
“Me personally, I know I’ve got that dog in me, so I know I can go through. I’ve been in these fights before and I know I can bite down on my gum shield and get through it,” he said.
“At the end the day I’ve got Brad Pickett as my coach. He knows how go scrap. We’re from London, we know how to put a scrap on.”
Despite the win, Wood admitted the damage was real and that the full physical toll hadn’t fully set in yet. Still, his focus immediately shifted to what comes next, and he didn’t hesitate to name a major target.
“Right now I feel sore, but I’ve still got some adrenaline in so I think tomorrow morning I’m going to know a little bit more what I’ve done,” he said.
“Maybe have Christmas off, but I know UFC usually come to London, February-March, so if they do someone like Patricio Pitbull, that is a fight that I would like. I’m 10-3 in the UFC now, I think I’ve earned the shot to step up in them rankings. What better person to go against than him.”
Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Nathaniel Wood above.
