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Do you believe Roy Nelson will fight again inside the Octagon after finishing his contract with the UFC 161 loss to Stipe Miocic? Why or why not?
DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST
Roy Nelson's bargaining power went down considerably when he lost on Saturday night. A win would have made him a hot commodity really worth signing, despite his obvious limitations as a top level contender. Nelson is often a law unto himself though, so predicting what he'll do next is extremely difficult to get right.
I'm sure the UFC will be keen to keep him around and they'll surely make him a suitable offer. It won't be as much after this defeat to Miocic, so it all depends on who else might better it. I'm inclined to say he sticks around - despite Dana White's disdain for him. At nearly 37 years old, even Roy Nelson won't be stupid or stubborn enough to turn it down if the money is acceptable.
CAMERON LYMAN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I was almost sure that at any moment during round three that Big Country was going to bend over forward with his hands on his knees and start puking on the Octagon mat. He didn't just look bad, he looked horrible and his stock plummeted after that lopsided loss. However, I think he will stick around because his new contract will be much better than his initial one, and he is a legitimate gatekeeper to the top five in the thin heavyweight division. If Dana truly wants to keep Nelson as he said he does, they will come to an agreement.
ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Yes, I think he will be back. The short answer for why is because he makes a lot more money than if he jumps ship and fights for another promotion. He is also big enough to coach other fighters and open a gym or two. He seems like he would be an ideal coach. He has a huge name, he is a BJJ black belt, he has great wrestling, and he has great stand up. If he decides to fight, he can find ways to be around the game and still make a living. He has many more options than most fighters looking at life after fighting.
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Probably, he would have to be insane to take the sizable pay cut he would get moving to Bellator, he's still got the best chin in the weight class, and the largest boobs. Whether or not you like Nelson (I don't) he's too talented of a fighter to not be in the UFC.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
No, I think there's essentially no chance of that. Nelson doesn't like the UFC and Dana White, and they don't care much for him. There's nothing really making them work with each other so I think they part ways and Roy joins Bellator within a few months.
RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Last week I figured Roy was going to win, then walk. I didn't see the loss coming to Stipe Miocic. That changes my view drastically, as I think he's going to be perceived as damaged goods to Bellator now. They might offer him a contract, it might be superior to the UFC's, but the desire (and ability) to push him to the moon (that wasn't a reference to his gut) just isn't going to be there. I think he's staying put. Then again, as slowly as he orbits the Earth moves, who could tell?
[Roy Nelson Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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