A Preview of Nathaniel Wood’s UFC Debut

A Preview of Nathaniel Wood’s UFC Debut:

By Jon Prentice

The UFC visits Utica, New York for the first time on June 1st with an exciting bantamweight bout between Jimmie Rivera (20-1) and Marlon Moraes (20-5-1) set to headline the event. Another bantamweight set to make their UFC debut at the event is former Cage Warriors champion Nathaniel Wood (13-3) who takes on 6 fight UFC veteran Johnny Eduardo (28-11).

London born Wood, just 24 years of age, is making his UFC debut off the back of a 5 fight win streak dating back to February 2016. Training out of the impressive Team Titan gym in London under the tutelage of Brad Pickett, Wood is one of a number of exicting bantamweight prospects to emenate from the gym including Dominique Wooding and Chris Miah amongst others.

Wood earned his shot at the vacant Cage Warriors bantamweight title following back to back wins over Chase Morton (6-5) at Bellator 158 and an impressive 2nd round TKO finish of UFC veteran Vaughan Lee (14-14-1) in the co main event of Cage Warriors 82. The title shot came at Cage Warriors 84 when Wood defeated Marko Kovacevic (9-2) via 1st round TKO to claim the belt.

Wood’s first title defence showcased possibly the greatest one round fight in Cage Warriors history and a remarkable comeback win for Wood over game opponent in Josh Reed (7-2). Reed had Wood seriously hurt against the cage and it appeared as though the title was inches from his grasp when Wood landed a big counter left hook that wobbled Reed and turned the tide of the fight. A few big uppercuts in the clinch and a flurry against the fence caused referee Mark Goddard to step in and waive off the fight with Wood retaining his title. Wood followed up the fight of the year contender with another 1st round TKO finish, this time over Luca Lovine (12-2) at Cage Warriors 92 earning Wood the call up from the UFC executives.

Wood will face a tough challenge in his UFC debut against Eduardo who is currently 3-3 in his UFC run. Having defeated tough opponents in Manny Gamburyan and Eddie Wineland both via TKO, and with 21 professional wins via stoppage, Eduardo is a proven finisher and Friday night’s UFC Prelim clash between the two has potential “fight of the night” written all over it.

The must watch clash will air on the UFC Fight Pass prelims from 11.30pm in the UK on June 1st 2018.