Bryan Barberena Replaces Daniel Rodriguez, Meets Gunnar Nelson at UFC 286

Gunnar Nelson has a new opponent at UFC 286.

The promotion recently announced that Bryan Barberena will replace Daniel Rodriguez and face the Iceland native in a welterweight bout on March 18 at the O2 Arena in London. A reason for Rodriguez’s withdrawl was not given. UFC 286 is headlined by a welterweight title rematch between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman.

Barberena had a three-bout winning streak snapped in his last outing, as he suffered a second-round submission loss to Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on ESPN 42 on Dec. 3. Prior to that, “Bam Bam” had earned successive victories over the likes of Darian Weeks, Matt Brown and Robbie Lawler.

Nelson returned following an absence that lasted more than two years at UFC Fight Night 204, where he defeated Takashi Sato via unanimous decision in March 2022.