In the midst of much criticism of Dustin Poirier-Headlined UFC 318, one of the most prominent matchups now seems to have been continuing.
After the conclusion of the edition of the International Fight Week of this year, in the headline by Ilia Topuria that eliminates Charles Oliveira on UFC 317, the Focus starts to focus on the numbered event of the promotion.
That will return the Octagon to Louisiana, where the most important attraction shifts from the UFC Gold division to the last farewell of all time. Headlining UFC 318 will be Dustin Poirier's pension fight, because 'The Diamond' enters the cage for a final assignment opposite BMF title holder Max Holloway.
There has not been much under the main event to excite fans, and one of the more striking combinations does not seem to be no longer.
Neil Magny vs. Gunnar Nelson reportedly deleted from UFC 318
Before Patricio Pitbull, Paulo Costa and Michael Johnson take the walk in the Smoothie King Center of New Orleans on a main map that is burning convenience, Neil Magny and Gunnar Nelson were one of those on the provisional map.
Their collision of welterweight veterans was undoubtedly one of the largest on the UFC 318 prelims, because it had an eternal competition in Magny who received three UFC Vecht evenings for his 12 years in the organization.
But a disaster apparently has been hit on the late notification, with Octagon update reporting on social media that Nelson is forced to withdraw.
That news, which was confirmed when the renowned Marcel Dorff shifted it again, leaves the status of 'The Haitian sensation' for UFC 318 unclear.
🚨 per sources
Gunnar Nelson is from his fight with Neil Magny for #UFC318 on July 19.
Not sure if Neil stays on the map or not.
– Octagon Update (@OcTagon update) July 4, 2025
View tweet
Magny has not participated anymore since a brutal knockout loss for Carlos Prates in their Apex Main Event last November. Nelson has now dropped a decision to Kevin Holland about the pond earlier this year.
UFC 318 is said to have marked a change for Gunnar Nelson
Although the UFC may seem to keep on the map of July 19, it is still to be seen when Nelson will be fit to compete again after having his hope to end a period of frequent inactivity.
If he had reached the cage in New Orleans, the Icelandic veteran would have completed a second UFC fight for the first time since 2019 in a calendar year.
Since the end of a three -year dismissal with one fight in 2022, 'Gunni' participated once in 2023 before he was fully sitting last year.
The rapid booking against Magny after the defeat of Nelson against Holland in London last March, the 36-year-old put in line to end his run of one per year, but that is now in the air on the way to the second half of 2025.