Report: Gunnar Nelson, Alex ‘Cowboy’ Oliveira Welterweight Tilt Booked for UFC 231

Per sources, UFC close to finalizing a welterweight bout between Gunnar Nelson and Alex 'Cowboy' Oliveira for UFC 231 on Dec. 8 in Toronto. Fun addition to a card I'm already in love with between Holloway/Ortega and Valentina/Joanna.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) October 24, 2018

Longtime Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight contender Gunnar Nelson is finally set to make his Octagon return at UFC 231 against Alex Oliveira following a 17-month lay-off due to injuries. The pairing was first reported by ESPN.

Nelson (16-3-1) hasn’t fought since a first-round knockout loss to Santiago Ponzinibbio back in July 2017. A knee injury forced him out of a scheduled bout with Neil Magny back in May.

Meanwhile, “Cowboy” Oliveira (19-5-1 2 NC) has had an outstanding year thus far, fighting two times and notching a submission victory over Carlos Condit in April and a first-round knockout of Carlo Perdersoli Jr. last month.

UFC 231 takes place on Dec. 8 in Toronto with featherweight champion Max Holloway set to defend his title against Brian Ortega in the main event.