David Bielkheden lobbies for UFC return after nearly nine years away, wants Gunnar Nelson in London

Remember David Bielkheden? If you don’t – it’s been nearly nine years since his last UFC fight – he hopes you will soon.

The 38-year-old Bielkheden (25-12), a three-fight UFC veteran, has started to lobby for a return to the promotion at UFC Fight Night 127 next month in London. And he wants to fight Gunnar Nelson (16-3-1 MMA, 7-3 UFC).

Bielkheden posted his request on his Instagram feed and tagged UFC President Dana White, matchmaker Sean Shelby, and British-based broadcast analyst Dan Hardy, along with Nelson.

“@danawhite @seanshelby @danhardymma I’m ready to step in and give @gunninelson a fight!!,” Bielkheden posted. “A European throw down between 2 black belts!! Let’s do it, or what do you say @gunninelson ?! #8fightwinstreak #buster #ufc #bielkhedenufc #ufclondon”

@danawhite @seanshelby @danhardymma I’m ready to step in and give @gunninelson a fight!! A European throw down between 2 black belts!! Let’s do it, or what do you say @gunninelson ?! #8fightwinstreak #buster #ufc #bielkhedenufc #ufclondon

A post shared by Buster (@davidbielkheden) on Jan 31, 2018 at 1:33am PST

UFC Fight Night 127 takes place March 17 at The O2 in London and streams entirely on UFC Fight Pass. Earlier today, former heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum was announced as the main event against ex-Bellator champ Alexander Volkov.

Bielkheden has an eight-fight winning streak, including four stoppages. All eight of those wins came in his native Sweden, where he won not only the Superior Challenge welterweight title, but the Scandinavian Fight Nights 170-pound belt. Included among his eight wins is a decision victory over UFC veteran Cody McKenzie.

Those eight wins over a stretch of four and a half years have come on the heels of a disastrous stretch of five losses in six fights over a two-year period.

Bielkheden came to the UFC in 2008 with a 12-5 record, including fights for PRIDE, Cage Warriors and Shooto. But in his promotional debut at UFC 82, he had to tap to punches from “Ultimate Fighter” winner Diego Sanchez.

He dropped to lightweight for his sophomore effort in the promotion and took a unanimous decision from Jess Liaudin at UFC 89 in October 2008. But back at welterweight the following spring at UFC 97 in Montreal, he was submitted by Mark Bocek with three seconds left in the first round.

Bielkheden won three straight on the European circuit before his rough slide. That slide included losses to Cathal Pendred, who went on to fight in the UFC, and Marcus Davis, who already had been there.

In his next outing, Nelson will be hoping to rebound after a quick TKO loss to Santiago Ponzinibbio this past July. The submission ace blamed his fate on an eye poke prior to the stoppage, and he unsuccessfully appealed the loss.

So what do you think? Should the UFC bring back David Bielkheden? Sound off in the poll below.

And for more on UFC Fight Night 127, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

The Blue Corner is MMAjunkie‘s official blog and is edited by Mike Bohn.