UFC Fight Night 262: Kyle Nelson vs Matt Frevola Preview & Prediction
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Matt Frevola looks to silence the Canadian crowd as he faces Kyle Nelson in the main card opener at UFC Vancouver.
Kyle Nelson vs Matt Frevola facts
What time are Kyle Nelson and Matt Frevola expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night 262: De Ridder vs Allen? Rogers Arena, Vancouver, Canada
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 262: De Ridder vs Allen? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 262
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night 262: De Ridder vs Allen on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 262: De Ridder vs Allen? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night 262: De Ridder vs Allen main card
Reinier de Ridder vs Brendan Allen (Middleweight)
Kevin Holland vs Mike Malott (Welterweight)
Marlon Vera vs Aiemann Zahabi (Bantamweight)
Manon Fiorot vs Jasmine Jasudavicius (Women’s Flyweight)
Cody Gibson vs Aori Qileng (Bantamweight)
Kyle Nelson vs Matt Frevola (Lightweight)
UFC Fight Night 262: De Ridder vs Allen prelims
Charles Jourdain vs Davey Grant (Bantamweight)
Bruno Gustavo da Silva vs Park Hyun-sung (Flyweight)
Danny Barlow vs Djorden Ribeiro dos Santos (Middleweight)
Kyle Prepolec vs Drew Dober (Lightweight)
Stephanie Luciano vs Ravena Oliveira (Women’s Strawweight)
Azamat Bekoev vs Yousri Belgaroui (Middleweight)
Melissa Croden vs Tainara Lisboa (Women’s Bantamweight)
Matt Frevola: The SteamRolla aims to bounce back in style
Matt “The SteamRolla” Frevola (11-5-1) returns to action looking to re-establish his momentum in the lightweight division. The 35-year-old American has built a reputation as an entertaining fighter — a “kill or be killed” competitor who brings chaos every time he steps inside the Octagon.
Frevola owns a 5-5-1 record in the UFC, with highlight wins over Drew Dober and Jalin Turner, showcasing his explosive striking and willingness to engage in a firefight. However, he enters this bout on the back of two knockout defeats — a brutal knee from Fares Ziam in September 2024 and a head-kick loss to Benoît Saint-Denis before that. While concerning on paper, both men have since gone on to establish themselves as rising forces in the division, which puts those losses into perspective. When he’s on form, Frevola is a high-energy pressure fighter who hits hard and pushes the pace, often forcing opponents into uncomfortable exchanges. The question is whether his chin can hold up after consecutive knockouts.
Kyle Nelson: Canada’s grinder looking for another scalp on home soil
Kyle Nelson (16-6-1) represents the home crowd in Vancouver and will be keen to deliver a big performance in front of the Canadian fans. The 34-year-old has been with the promotion since 2018 and currently holds a 4-5-1 UFC record, showing flashes of potential but struggling for consistency against deeper competition.
Nelson had put together the best run of his UFC career prior to his most recent outing — a three-fight winning streak, which included victories over Blake Bilder, Fernando Padilla, and Bill Algeo. That streak ended when he was stopped by Steve Garcia in the opening round, a reminder of the volatility of this division. Technically, Nelson is a capable kickboxer with some unusual angles and sneaky shot selection, but he lacks the explosiveness and sharpness of the division’s top performers. He’s durable and disciplined, but doesn’t carry the same fight-ending danger that Frevola brings to the table.
Matt Frevola vs Kyle Nelson prediction
This has all the makings of a fast-paced, high-energy clash between two fighters who rarely take a backwards step. Nelson’s durability and composure could keep him competitive early, but Frevola’s aggression, power, and ability to explode into exchanges make him the more dangerous man in the pocket.
Although Frevola’s recent knockout losses have raised some concerns about his durability, the quality of opposition — Fares Ziam and Benoît Saint-Denis — makes those defeats more understandable. Nelson’s recent wins, meanwhile, came against lower-ranked competition, and this represents a significant step up. Expect Frevola to come out with urgency after his layoff, using his speed and explosiveness to force Nelson into defensive exchanges.
If the fight turns into a brawl, Frevola’s power and pressure should make the difference. He has the tools to close the show in front of a hostile crowd and remind the lightweight division why he remains one of its most entertaining finishers.
Prediction: Matt Frevola to win via KO/TKO
