Yeah, I know it's a bit wierd to be asking about that tomato can, but I was just curious how highly he ever got in the rankings (I mean, he was like 62-1 at some point).
I don't ever recall him making it high in any rankings. The guy fought so many bums it wasnt even funny.
he was european level: he has wins over ross puritty, tony tubbs, phil jackson, larry holmes, crawford grimsley, peter mcneeley, dicky ryan, jeremy williams, orlin norris. but of course the good fighters were shot beyond recognition and the rest (95%) were c-level/bums anyway to pad the record.
he was one fight away from Title shot! He only had to beat Tyson... he was in top 5 I think by one alphabet belt!
thats right. brian nielsen was a classic euro fighter who never took on the US. decent fighter but thats all.
Aren't all those fighters in the list of his biggest fights from the US? But yes, he was generally extremely protected and not interested in going for the big fights.