(This story appeared in today’s edition of USA TODAY .) Roy Nelson has a theory as to why UFC President Dana White doesn’t like him. “I think he’s star-struck,” Nelson (19-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC), who has been criticized by White for everything from his ragged, everyman appearance to his negotiating tactics, told USA TODAY Sports and MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “Some people get flustered when a bigger star is in the room.” It’s unclear if Nelson, 36, a heavyweight who goes by the nickname “Big Country” and who proudly sports both a beer belly and a bedraggled beard, meant that remark literally or if he even meant it at all. Judging by his reluctance to give straight answers to direct questions, that seems to be the way Nelson likes it. But as Nelson heads into a bout with fellow heavyweight Stipe Miocic (9-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) at UFC 161 in Winnipeg on Saturday (pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET), his relationship with White and the UFC appears to be as big a threat to his career as any opponent. According to White and Nelson’s manager, Mike Kogan, the fight against Miocic is the last on Nelson’s contract. Although Nelson says he doesn’t know whether that is the case — “I have people for that,” he says — he doesn’t deny White’s assertion that he has declined the UFC’s offer of an extension.
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USA TODAY: UFC 161′s Roy Nelson says ‘the Roy Nelson business doing very well’ – MMA Junkie