Big Country signs 9-fight deal with the UFC

Published on Thursday, 7/26/13, at 4:33 p.m. Eastern.

By Brian Edwards

–Roy ‘Big Country’ Nelson (19-8 MMA, 6-4 UFC) has signed a new nine-fight contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. “You could say that I’ll be fighting for the UFC for the rest of my life,” Nelson told Bloody Elbow. “The contract is that big. You won’t see me fight anywhere else.” The 37-year-old Nelson will face Daniel Cormier in the co-main event at UFC 166 in Houston. I expect Cormier to be a favorite in the -260 range.

–UFC 166 will be headlined by the third meeting between heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez and former champ Junior dos Santos. 5Dimes and SBG Global have Velasquez listed as a -215 favorite with Dos Santos as a +170 underdog (risk $100 to win $170).

–The rest of the Oct. 19 show at Toyota Center in Houston is taking shape. In a 155-pound clash, 5Dimes has Gilbert ‘El Nino’ Melendez installed as an enormous -530 ‘chalk’ vs. Diego ‘The Dream’ Sanchez (+350). Gabriel Gonzaga will take on Shawn Jordan in a heavyweight matchup. Jordan owns a 3-1 record in the UFC, while Gonzaga has won three of four fights since returning to the promotion last year. In the middleweight loop, Luke Rockhold will square off against Tim Boetsch. Finally, Nate Marquardt and Hector Lombard will meet in Lombard’s debut at 170.

–According to this report from Bloody Elbow, Reza Madadi was pulled off of the UFC on Fox 8 card because he’s in jail in Sweden.

–Check out my preview of Saturday’s UFC on Fox 8 card at VegasInsider.com.