At the UFC pre-fight presser for this weekend's event Dana White told reporters that Roy Nelson, with whom White has had a difficult working relationship, rejected the UFC's contract extension offer and will be a free agent following his next fight (vs. Stipe Miocic in Winnipeg). Nelson is on a three-fight winning streak, all wins by first round knockout, and is frustrated that he isn't in the title picture and is fighting lower ranked heavyweights who are mostly coming off losses. Nelson recently told press that he thinks the UFC will never give him a title shot because of the way he looks and because of White's constant criticism of his work ethic and rustic grooming habits.
I don't think Roy is a top HW, but he is definitely a fan favorite and a KO machine. He's a walking highlight reel recently. He deserves to be treated better by the UFC, he deserves a step up in competition. Roy/JDS II (yes JDS dominated him, but I'd watch it again now that JDS chin has been cracked), Roy/Hunt, Roy/Overeem are all very entertaining matchups.
So what is the deal with White and Roy. I thought it used to be that Dana didn't like the way Roy fought because it was boring (just get on top of people and wear them out). But Roy is knocking people out, Dana has to like that. It can't be about the way he looks, can it? The two just don't like each other?
Yeah you're right they started having issues when Nelson smothered his way to the TUF Heavyweights finale and admitted that he wasn't fighting anything but safe, drawing White's ire. They've had a rocky business relationship since. White has publicly called for Nelson to lose weight and improve his image with Nelson telling him to go fuck himself at every opportunity (especially at high volume after wins from inside the cage). Most recently Nelson has complained that the UFC won't give him a title shot because they don't like him or don't think he's marketable or whatever. Problem Nelson faces is that he hasn't beaten a ranked heavyweight (0-3 vs. JDS, Mir, & Werdum) and his upcoming fight with Miocic (coming off a loss) won't change that.
The UFC would be dumb to let him go. He's a great card filler and seems to be popular with the fans. He puts on good fights. He's a good gate keeper who will keep the fans entertained and probably continue to win KOTN awards.
