Gunnar Nelson (left)

By FCF Staff

At UFC 189, Gunner Nelson will be looking to rebound from his first pro loss, and the promising welterweight says how he feels and moves will play a deciding factor.

Nelson is booked to fight Brandon Thatch at the July 11th event, which will mark the first time he’s fought since October, when he dropped a split decision to Rick Story. Leading up to that bout, Nelson had captured the attention of fans and pundits alike, thanks to a 13-0-1 run.

Recently the Icelandic fighter spoke to UFC.com about this Saturday’s bout, as well as his first defeat. While doing so, Nelson said the following:

“I felt I wasn’t moving the way I’m used to moving,” Nelson said. “I wasn’t moving freely. It’s a very basic thing for a fighter—or for me anyway. It’s a feel that you have to have, and you can’t get caught up in certain movements. It has to be free, and that’s what I felt went wrong in this fight. It’s happened in the past, but I got away with it. But I didn’t this time, and so maybe that’s a good thing for me that I didn’t because now I know what it is that can hold my performance back.”

In Thatch (11-2), Nelson (13-1-1) will also face an opponent who’s also coming off a loss, as he was submitted by Benson Henderson in February. Thatch had won 10 in row prior to the defeat.

UFC 189 will be hosted by the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.