UFC
UFC NEWS: Roy Nelson says he intends to fight in 2011, despite current contract entaglements
Nov 22, 2010 - 4:45:58 PM UFC NEWS: Roy Nelson says he intends to fight in 2011, despite current contract entaglements

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Roy Nelson's immediate future in the UFC came in doubt over the last month, as UFC President Dana White stated Nelson wouldn't be fighting in the UFC again until a prior contract with Roy Jones, Jr.'s Square Ring Promotions is figured out.

Nelson fought for the promotion in March of 2009 in their only event to date, March Badness, prior to joining the cast of The Ultimate Fighter's 10th season. Square Ring Promotions then filed suit, claiming they had the right to match any contract he would have been offered.

But while Nelson said he believes he's being sued along with Zuffa for breach of contract, he doesn't feel he owes anything to the promotion that hasn't run another event since that March Badness card. He discussed the situation on Monday with Ariel Helwani at MMAFighting.com.

"I guess from a lawyer's stand point or even a jury's stand point, I think it's kind of hard to say if you have any claims if you've never put on another MMA event ever in your whole entire life that I know of," Nelson said.

Nelson was scheduled to fight Shane Carwin at UFC 125 on New Year's Day, but when Carwin pulled out due to injury, Nelson was taken off the card entirely. Nelson said he thinks his removal had more to do with the integration of the WEC than this situation with Square Ring Promotions.

"I think they wanted it's the UFC and there's no rhyme or reason with stuff, usually," Nelson said. "It's a bigger way to roll in WEC into the UFC. It's a good way to start showcasing like Jose Aldo and trying to capitalize off like a Urijah Faber, the little guys."

"At the same time I look as a plus that my knee got better faster and I'll be ready anywhere in 2011."

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Penick's Analysis: I'm sure this situation will find itself worked out in quick enough fashion to get Nelson back into the cage by the spring. At least, I hope that will be the case, as there are plenty of fights that I'd like to see him take in the heavyweight division. And he's got a case against Square Ring Promotions' claim, as it's hard to claim contractual rights if they're not actively promoting fights. At the same time, I'm not a lawyer and won't pretend to know the intricacies of this case. I'm just hopeful that it gets taken care of in a timely manner so Nelson can get back into the cage.