‘Disrespected’ UFC Paris star admits upcoming fight against debutant is a ‘lose-lose’ for him

Nathaniel Wood continues to have his calls to face ranked opposition ignored.

The UFC Octagon is back in France this week, as MMA’s leading promotion stages its annual September event inside Paris’ Accor Arena.

All eyes are on the main event, as lightweight contender Dan Hooker welcomes Salahdine Parnasse to the UFC after the newcomer achieved two-division glory in KSW.

‘The Hangman’ is not the only UFC veteran in action, but it is safe to say that one of the other high-profile ones has not received the same level of opportunities.

'The Last Kingsman' won 7 of his 8 featherweight fights before UFC Paris but was still not given a ranked opponent 🤯

Among the top names on the UFC Paris undercard is Nathaniel Wood, a former bantamweight who has spent the last eight fights competing at 145 pounds.

‘The Last Kingsman’ has been one of the top featherweight performers in recent years, having won seven fights since moving up in 2022.

Wood’s one defeat in the division was also a controversial one, as Muhammad Naimov got away with some clear fouling that helped him secure a decision victory.

Despite his winning run, the Englishman was handed another unranked opponent for September 5. And after Mairon Santos withdrew, Wood will now fight debutant Pavel Andrusca.

Under the circumstances, Wood struggles to see how he can leave Paris with a real win.

“Santos was a little bit of a frustrating matchup, because I do believe I deserve higher,” Wood said during a recent interview with talkSPORT.

“Obviously, the opponent that I have now, it’s also frustrating, but when an opponent pulls out two weeks prior to a fight, you’re not gonna get a ranked guy stepping in on two weeks’ notice.

“Win, lose, draw, for him, it’s a win-win. It doesn’t matter, because he’s now in the UFC. He can say, ‘I took the fight on two weeks’ notice, or a week’s notice,’ whatever it is.

“So, for me, it is frustrating, because it’s a lose-lose. You don’t really get anything out of it other than your paycheck,” he continued. “But at the end of the day, I’m a professional fighter — I need to fight, I need to turn up to get paid, and that’s what I’m doing.

“I’m not looking at this guy any different from anyone else. He’s a dangerous opponent, and every fight that I have, in my mind, that is the most dangerous fight that I’ve got.”

Wood is not the only British fighter on the UFC Paris card who feels hard done by.

Like ‘The Last Kingsman’, Michael Page has also had UFC matchmaking complaints, having not faced the kind of competition he had envisioned when he signed with the organization.

But it is Wood getting a larger share of fan sympathy, with some on social media even calling him the most ‘disrespected’ fighter on the roster.

“Wood getting a fight up the rankings challenge: Impossible.”

“Can they give Wood anybody other than upcoming prospects?”

“He gets screwed at every turn and keeps pulling it off.”

“Why the constant Nathaniel Wood disrespect?”

“Why does the UFC hate Nathaniel Wood?”

“WHY WILL THE UFC NOT GIVE WOOD A RANKED FIGHTER?”