Nathaniel Wood issues top 15 callout after UFC London win

Nathaniel Wood has made it clear that he wants a top 15 opponent next – and the Londoner has names in mind.

Nathaniel Wood (23-6) extended his win streak to four at UFC London when he edged out the highly regarded Losene Keita on the judges' scorecards.

Now holding an impressive record of 11 wins and 3 losses inside the organisation, “The Last Kingsman” wants his first shot at a ranked featherweight opponent.

We caught up with Wood at Great Britain Top Team to gauge his post-win goals.

Nathaniel Wood calls for top 15 featherweight opponent

Wood made his featherweight debut in 2022 after spending the early part of his UFC career at bantamweight.

Since then, he has only suffered a single loss and has won seven fights in the weight class. Now on a four-fight win streak, he believes he has earned a ranked name.

He said: “I do believe that people will agree with me that it's time that I get a ranked opponent. I think not giving me a ranked opponent would just be insanity. If not a ranked opponent, someone that's been in the rankings – you know, someone like Dan Ige.”

A featherweight staple since his debut in 2018, Ige has fought the division’s best, including the likes of Movsar Evloev and Diego Lopes. He is currently on a two-fight losing skid.

When asked if Wood could choose an opponent, he provided two very specific names.

“Personally? Yair Rodriguez. Realistically? Someone like Pitbull (Patricio Freire).”

Yair Rodriguez and Patricio Pitbull named as potential opponents

Wood believes he would find finishes against both Yair Rodriguez and Pitbull, despite not having secured a stoppage win since 2019.

“The Last Kingsman” acknowledged that at the top level, finding finishes is more difficult.

He said: “These guys are the best fighters on the planet. It's a hard task to put them out, especially when I'm the smallest in the weight category. I don't put on as much weight as these other boys, but I show that my speed and my IQ can handle beating these guys.”

Yair Rodriguez beat Pitbull by dominant decision in April last year, in what was Pitbull’s promotional debut.

Four of Rodriguez’s career losses have come by finish – Wood believes he could add to that number over a longer fight.

“If it's a five-round fight, I see me finishing him in the fourth or fifth round. If it's a three-round fight, you know me, I'm a decision king. So I think it would be a striking battle and I think I would just outpoint him to take a decision win.”

The Londoner also believes he could finish Pitbull, suggesting time may be catching up with the former Bellator double champion.

“I do think that as you get older in this sport, you start to lose that chin, you start to get hurt a lot more. And I do think that I would be able to beat Pitbull within three rounds via TKO, knockout or submission.”

“The Last Kingsman” still chasing respect in UFC rankings

Wood has proven throughout his UFC career that he is willing to fight dangerous opponents, while continuing to come out on top.

His last two opponents, Losene Keita and Jose Delgado, entered their fights on win streaks totalling 12 fights combined. Wood put a stop to both runs.

He told us that despite the names and performances, fans still continue to doubt him, and it isn’t something he expects to change.

“I do think that I still lack the respect that I deserve, and I don't think it will be until I'm world champion and defend three times that I’d actually get the respect I deserve. But I'm still chipping away.”

At this point in his career, Wood is simply asking for an opportunity, trusting in his skillset under the mentorship of Brad Pickett.

“I'm ready for that step up. I think if you said to me tomorrow that I’ve got a shot fighting Volkanovski for the belt, I would take it with both hands and I believe that I could do it.”

Nathaniel Wood sends message to UFC featherweight top 15

For Wood, the message to the division is simple.

“Sign a contract. Fight me - please. I'm asking respectfully so I can work my way up the rankings.”