The best and worst from UFC Fight Night 147: Till vs. Masvidal

#2 Best: The UK might have a brand new hero

Nathaniel Wood looked fantastic in his win over Jose Quinonez

Last night showcased a big high and a big low for MMA in the UK; Michael Bisping, probably the greatest fighter ever produced by the country, was announced as being inducted into the UFC’s Hall of Fame following a storied career that saw him win the UFC Middleweight title. And then Darren Till – the guy the UFC have been pushing as the UK’s next great hope – lost in violent fashion in the main event despite having the show built around him.

Till’s loss may not matter in the long term, though, as the UK may well have stumbled upon another favourite son last night in the form of Nathaniel Wood. ‘The Prospect’ – a protégé of former Bantamweight title contender Brad Pickett – looked awesome in his victory over Jose Quinonez, outstriking the Mexican before submitting him in the second round with a rear-naked choke.

Sure, Wood’s victims thus far – Quinonez, Andre Ewell and Johnny Eduardo – aren’t top-level contenders at 135lbs, but the young Londoner, who was fighting a stone’s throw from where he grew up last night, clearly has a ton of natural talent and could definitely end up rising up the ranks in the near future.

Wood is still only 25 years old and it’s important that the UFC don’t rush him up those ranks – Bantamweight is arguably the most loaded division in the promotion – but they definitely appear to have something special in him – and the UK could well have their next big star now Bisping is gone and Till appears to have slipped somewhat.