Kyle Nelson vs. Christian Perez: UFC Fight Preview

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Kyle Nelson and Christian Perez Expected to Deliver Fireworks

Canadian Kyle Nelson returns after losing to Terrance McKinney in March. Despite that setback, Nelson is 4-2 in his last six fights and remains an entertaining competitor. Three of his past four fights have ended by knockout, whether Nelson was delivering the finish or absorbing it. Either way, he shows up to fight.

Christian Perez enters through the Contender Series with a 15-2 career record. His last five fights have all ended by knockout, including four wins and one loss. With the fight set at 1.5 rounds, oddsmakers appear to be expecting fireworks.

Making Perez a significant favorite in his UFC debut carries some risk. Nelson has stepped away from the sport several times and works full-time as a firefighter. Although the UFC continues to offer him contracts and he earns decent money to compete, there are questions about whether his best days are behind him and how seriously he is taking his UFC career.

Perez is a marauder who moves forward, throws heavy shots and is willing to trade. He has been hurt before and has also lost by knockout, so either fighter could be stopped. Nelson should come ready to fight, but the prediction is that Perez finishes him in the second or third round.