Gunnar Nelson Withdraws From UFC 318 Bout With Neil Magny

Welterweight contender Gunnar Nelson has withdrawn from his scheduled fight against Neil Magny at UFC 318, the promotion’s 19 July pay-per-view at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Nelson disclosed on Instagram that he suffered a two-part hamstring injury—a Grade 2b muscle tear and a more serious Grade 4c tendon tear—which prevents him from wrestling, grappling or kicking.

The 36-year-old Icelander, coming off a decision loss to Kevin Holland in March, expects to resume full training in about eight weeks and said surgery will not be required. The Ultimate Fighting Championship has not announced whether Magny, the division’s all-time wins leader, will remain on the card with a replacement opponent or be re-booked for a later event.