Selective hydroconversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is of great importance for future chemical and energy supply. Herein, we demonstrate that a monometallic Ni/SBA-15 catalyst, prepared by simple Incipient Wetness Impregnation (IWI) using nickel nitrate precursor, can selectively convert HMF to 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) or to 2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran (DMTHF) under optimized reaction conditions. The mesopore confined Ni particles facilitate the hydrogenolysis and furan ring hydrogenation reactions. Through the control over reaction time, high yields to DMF (71%, at conversion of 93%) and to DMTHF (97%, at conversion of 100%) can be achieved. The kinetic study affords the determination of a preferential reaction route from HMF to DMTHF through 5-methylfurfural (MFFR) formation as intermediate. Favored route then involves the hydrogenolysis of the hydroxyl group as first step (MFFR production), followed by aldehyde function hydrogenation step to methylfurfuryl alcohol (MFOL).