Report: Nelson to return from 2-year layoff vs. Holland at UFC London

Gunnar Nelson will end a two-year layoff when he faces Kevin Holland in a welterweight bout at UFC London on March 22, sources told MMA Junkie's Farah Hannoun.

Nelson hasn't competed since a first-round submission of Bryan Barberena at UFC 286 in March 2023. The 36-year-old Icelander, once considered a 170-pound contender whose career was derailed by inactivity, is riding a two-fight winning streak but has fought only twice since 2019.

Holland is returning to welterweight after three consecutive bouts at middleweight. The 32-year-old suffered a submission loss to Reinier de Ridder at UFC 311 earlier in January and has dropped four of his past five fights.

Former welterweight champion Leon Edwards is scheduled to face rising contender Jack Della Maddalena in the UFC London main event.