Another week, another UFC card and another much-loved Cage Warriors alumni taking to the cage in Mixed Martial Arts’ ultimate proving ground. Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation has developed close to 150 athletes into the UFC ecosystem, be it directly into the industry leader’s roster, via Road to the UFC, Dana White’s Contender Series or, as is the case with Nathan Fletcher, The Ultimate Fighter reality show.
Southport, England’s Fletcher appeared on Season 32 of the MMA mainstay last year, valiantly fighting two full rounds against eventual finalist ‘Ghengis’ Kaan Ofli, despite suffering a fractured fibula in the bout.
The incredible display of tenacity and heart, combined with his unquestionable talent and affable nature, clearly impressed the right people. Fletcher was handed a reprieve, a chance to shine against TUF teammate Žygimantas Ramaška, who had crashed out of the competition with a fracture of his own after besting Bekhzod Usmonov in the opening round.
The Southport Strangler showed the world how he’d earned that nickname, choking his man out with an arm-triangle early in the second frame.
With his contract secured, the Next Generation man booked a date with destiny at London’s O2 Arena in March, in a bout that would hold special significance for Cage Warriors fans.
Fletcher had drawn Caolán Loughran, the former CW bantamweight champion and a fighter he’d been predicted to tangle with in the Famous Yellow Gloves had they not both made their way to the big stage.
Or rather, tangle with again…the pair had crossed swords once before as amateurs on the Cage Warriors Academy, with the Englishman picking up a unanimous points victory after three compelling, nip-and-tuck rounds.
With an old rivalry reignited and the requisite pre-fight beef between their respective camps simmering to a slow boil, it’s safe to say there was a lot to play for as the pair faced each other down across the world famous Octagon.
Despite a late flurry bringing fans to their feet, the contest went the distance and there wasn’t a whole lot to separate the pair on the scorecards. All three judges were in agreement, giving the first frame to Loughran and the second to Fletcher. The third would swing it, but here the judges were split.
After what felt like an eternity, ‘The Don’ was announced as the winner amidst a chorus of boos. Fans in the arena, at home and the watching media felt that the Englishman’s flurry of blows towards the end of the final round were enough to earn him the nod, but the experts disagreed.
Still, it was an engrossing scrap and one that left the door ajar for a third meeting somewhere down the line.
Fletcher has had to put thoughts of righting that wrong to one side though, at least temporarily. On Saturday night, he has another, more pressing task at hand. To be 1-1 in the UFC and entering your third bout off the back of a loss (controversial or otherwise), is to be fighting with one’s back to the wall.
He’s under pressure, make no mistake about it. But that’s where Fletcher thrives. Where nothing less than a career-best win will suffice, the Next Generation man has a deep bag of tricks to delve into that could prove the perfect foil for his opposite number, Japanese amateur wrestling standout Rinya Nakamura.
The triangles off his back, the sweeps and transitions that set up all manner of strangles from top position. Will Nakamura want to risk shooting at all, lest Fletcher get that steel-cable grip around his neck? How will ‘The Hybrid’, who has a string of solid knockouts to his name, fair against the Englishman’s tuned-up striking game?
It’s a fun proposition.
Both men know they have to perform here, Fletcher perhaps more so. But he’s been in these ‘must-win’ spots before. Triangling Daan Duijs to earn a berth in The Ultimate Fighter. Outpointing Alessandro Giordano after a year on the side-lines. Strangling champions and challengers like Michele Martignoni and Brian Bouland.
The furnace is where Fletcher does his best work. This Saturday at the Apex, the heat is on.
Nathan Fletcher fights Rinya Nakamura in the featured preliminary bout of UFC Fight Night: Taira vs. Park, this Saturday, August 2nd, live from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. UK fans can catch the bout on UFC Fight Pass.
Don’t want to wait until Saturday? You can relive every Nathan Fletcher submission in the Famous Yellow Gloves on the YouTube channel now!