Story controlled the fight from start to finish as he controlled the bout on the feet and anytime Nelson took him down, he was able to get right back up to his feet. “The Horror” pressured Nelson throughout the fight and the Iceland native was never able to get going. Story was never in too much danger as Nelson seemed flustered and had no answer even though one judge gave him the fight.
The co-main event had Max Holloway stopping Akira Corassani by first round TKO to raise his record to 4-0 in 2014. In other main card action, Jan Blachowicz decimated Ilir Latifi by first round TKO and to kick off the main card, Mike Wilkinson defeated unbeaten prospect Niklas Backstrom by first round knockout.
Here are the results from UFC Fight Night 53:
- Rick Story def. Gunnar Nelson via split decision (47-48, 49-46, 50-44) - Max Holloway def. Akira Corassani via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:11 - Jan Blachowicz def. Ilir Latifi via TKO (kick and punches) – Round 1, 1:58 - Mike Wilkinson def. Niklas Backstrom via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:19 - Magnus Cedenblad def. Scott Askham via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) - Nico Musoke def. Alexander Yakovlev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) - Dennis Siver def. Charles Rosa via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) - Cathal Pendred def. Gasan Umalatov via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28 - Krzysztof Jotko def. Tor Troeng via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27) - Mairbek Taisumov def. Marcin Bandel via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:01 - Zubaira Tukhugov def. Ernest Chavez via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:21
Steven Muehlhausen is an experienced MMA writer and contributor for Sporting News. Find him on Twitter @SMuehlhausenMMA.
