British welterweight contender John Hathaway has been forced to withdraw from his UFC 189 fight with Gunnar Nelson due to injury.
1 featherweight contender Conor McGregor, Gunnar Nelson is also a prodigious black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and one of the best submission grapplers in the world. So, the Icelander knows a bit about McGregor, as well as ground technique.
An injury to John Hathaway has resulted in a short-notice reshuffling of UFC 189's fight card. With Hathaway out, welterweight prospect Brandon Thatch now steps up to fight Gunnar Nelson on the event's main card, while
Thatch was scheduled to fight John Howard (22-11 MMA, 6-6 UFC) on the preliminary card. Instead, Howard now will meet Cathal Pendred (17-2-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC). UFC officials announced the new bouts today. Nelson vs. Thatch will take place on the main
Conor McGregor's teammate Gunnar Nelson is a top Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor in addition to being a UFC fighter, and he believes the Irishman can submit the Brazilian at UFC 189.