LAS VEGAS – Canadian UFC featherweight Kyle Nelson is no stranger to fighting in hostile territory.
At Noche UFC, Nelson (14-5-1 MMA, 2-4-1 UFC) will once again experience being on the receiving end of jeers from the crowd when he takes on Mexico’s Fernando Padilla (15-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC). While this fight takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the expectation is that the arena will be filled with fans cheering for the Mexican fighters as the event celebrates Mexican Independence Day.
It won’t be the first time Nelson has been in this situation. In fact, he got the full experience of a real Mexican crowd when he fought Polo Reyes in Mexico City, Mexico. But he loved every minute of it because when it was all said and done, he was able to win the fans over with his fighting style. He aims to do it again this Saturday.
“Yeah, I mean it’s always different going into somebody else’s hometown. … But it was definitely kind of something refreshing in Mexico when I was able to win over the crowd, and they did appreciate a good performance and a good fight,” Nelson told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “I think there’s maybe crowds in certain areas where you could go and you could put on the best fight ever, but if you beat their hometown guy, they’re going to hate you no matter what.
“Whereas I feel like the Mexican fans, they appreciate combat sports with the long history of boxing and stuff like that. They’re not going to be biased towards me after the fight. If I put on a good fight, an honorable fight, then I think I’ll win a lot of them over.”
Whether or not that actually happens remains to be seen. Regardless, Nelson is excited to once again compete in a packed house, and not the intimate setting of the UFC Apex with a much, much lower seating capacity.
“It was interesting to fight at the Apex, and it’s cool because you could hear your corner so well,” Nelson said. “It’s definitely a different experience and I enjoyed it while it happened, but there’s something different about having a crowd there. Whether they’re your hometown crowd or any away crowd, having the people there definitely does give you a certain amount of energy.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Noche UFC.
