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UFC featherweight Nathaniel Wood calls for chance to tame 'Pitball' in Octagon in London

ULTIMATE INSIDER UFC COLUMN: Nathaniel Wood came through his 'dogfight' at UFC 321 and immediately called for a scrap with a Pitbull Patricio Freire

[UFC featherweight Nathaniel Wood calls his shot after a big win at UFC 321]

UFC featherweight Nathaniel Wood calls his shot after a big win at UFC 321(Image: Zuffa LLC)

Nathaniel Wood came through his 'dogfight' at UFC 321 and immediately called for a scrap with a Pitbull.

The Londoner had arguably the fight of the night at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi as he earned a hard-fought decision victory over Mexicos Miguel Delgado.

Wood, who has been in the UFC since 2018, has now won six of his last seven fights after handing Delgado his first loss in the company.

Having survived some really tough moments in the first round, The Prospect used all of his experience to turn the fight in his favour on the judges scorecards.

The featherweight said: I know I have got that dog in me, so I know I can go through it. Ive been in these fights before and I know I can bite down on my gumshield and get through them.

[Nathaniel Wood goes on the attack in his hard-fought win over Miguel Delgado]

Nathaniel Wood goes on the attack in his hard-fought win over Miguel Delgado(Image: Zuffa LLC)

At the end of the day, I have got (former UFC bantamweight) Brad Pickett as my coach and he knows how to scrap. Were from London.

But I didnt expect it to be that tough. The plan was to go in and make it look easy. Unfortunately, you know, I had to make it a hard night at the office, though I think the crowd enjoyed the fight.

I know (UFC president) Dana White enjoyed it. So if everyone enjoyed it, then that makes me happy.

With his tail up after victory, Wood is looking to bare his teeth again in the capital next March when the Octagon is pencilled in to make its annual return to the O2 Arena.

[Brit Nathaniel Wood gets the nod from the judges at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi]

Brit Nathaniel Wood gets the nod from the judges at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi(Image: Zuffa LLC)

And the 32-year-old wants to face one of the biggest dogs in the yard in Patricio Pitball Freire, the former Bellator featherweight and lightweight champion who made his UFC debut in April.

Calling out the Brazilian MMA great, 38, Wood added: I know the UFC usually comes to London in March. So, if they do, someone like Patricio Pitbull, that is a fight that I would like.

Im 10-3 in the UFC now and I think that I have earned the shot to step up in the rankings. What better person to go against than Pitbull.

He is a former Bellator champion and one hell of a name. I know that hes not got super long time left in his career, so I cant sit around too long waiting for him.

[Nathaniel Wood will be looking to fly the flag in London next March]

Nathaniel Wood will be looking to fly the flag in London next March(Image: Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Hes a massive name, but its a realistic one. I cant sit here and call out (champion) Alexander Volkanovski right now because I have got a bit of work to do to get there. But Patricio has only had two fights in the UFC I dont see why that is unrealistic to call for.

UP NEXT: UFC Vegas 110, Saturday, 11pm. Ranked featherweights Steve Garcia and David Onama main event at the Apex.

MONEY MATCH: Romanias Daniel Frunza (21/20) can get his hand raised against fellow welterweight Charles Radtke. Full UFC betting available at Betway.com

FINAL SAY: How is he not disqualified after that? People start booing me like its my fault. I got poked in the eye Tom Aspinall is dismayed that his fight with Ciryl Gane is declared a no contest at UFC 321.

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