The Ultimate Fighting Championship witnessed the debut of its first fighter hailing from Prince Edward Island, as Welterweight Cam Nelson secured a triumphant victory over Ding Meng in Shanghai, China. Nelson, who took the fight with only three weeks’ notice, expressed his year-round readiness in a post-fight interview with UFC, emphasizing his satisfaction with his preparation despite the short timeframe.
Prior to his UFC debut, the 28-year-old from South Rustico boasted an impressive record, going 3-0 as an amateur with Fight League Atlantic and 7-1 as a professional fighter. Nelson, who trains at Renzo Gracie P.E.I. and Niagara Top Team, described the UFC opportunity as surreal and expressed his pride in being the first UFC competitor from P.E.I.
Acknowledging the experience gap with Meng, who holds a record of 35 wins and 11 losses, Nelson adapted his strategy during the fight, aiming to neutralize Meng’s extensive 28 knockouts. He attributed his success to the support and training received from his teams, notably honoring his late coach, Matt MacGrath, who played a significant role in his career until his passing earlier this year. Nelson carried MacGrath’s hat to Shanghai as a tribute, reflecting on the emotional significance of the moment and expressing his coach’s hypothetical joy at his achievement.