‘I’m here to be the champion’ – Nathaniel Wood vows to unleash ‘new weapon’ and reignite title charge at UFC London

Nathaniel Wood has vowed to relaunch his bantamweight title charge when he makes his emotional homecoming at UFC London in March.

Over the last 12 months, the Londoner has almost become a forgotten man. Wood has not fought since October 2020 with a hand injury suffered in training last August halting his surge in the bantamweight division and sidelining him for the rest of the year.

His long wait to fight again is coming to an end however with the 28-year-old set to take on Liudvik Sholinian when UFC makes its long-awaited return to the capital.

The Morden fighter celebrated one of the biggest nights of his career when he secured victory during the promotion’s last visit to London in 2019 and will be the city’s sole representative on the bill on 19 March at the O2 Arena. And while it will undoubtedly be another moment to savour, there is no room for error.

‘I’m the only Londoner on the card so I feel like there is a little bit of extra weight on my shoulders but I’m here to represent,’ Wood toldMetro.co.uk.

‘I’ve been off for such a long time now, it feels like I’ve not been invited to the party. Everyone has been going crazy and I’ve been left behind.

‘I need to remind the UFC that I’m here and I’m here to stay. I’m not just here to take part, I’m here to be a champion of the world. I need to get in there, force myself into that top 10 and eventually get a shot at gold.’

Wood has suffered defeat to two of his last three bouts, falling short against John Dodson and Casey Kenney either side of a decision win over John Castaneda in July 2020.

While he was left heartbroken after another injury setback last August, there have been small mercies for Wood who was able to keep himself busy in the gym and in the cage while his right