Learn more about Gunnar Nelson's UFC history, fighter facts, and Q&A below.
Fighter Facts
- Pro since 2007
- Had draw in first pro MMA fight, has won 17 of 22 since
- Twelve wins by submission (2 armbar, 7 RNC, 2 guillotine, neck crank), four by KO – has finished all but one of his wins
- Eleven first round finishes
- 2009 IBJJF Pan Ams gold (no gi middleweight black) and silver (no gi absolute black) medal winner
- 2009 IBJJF Pan Ams gold (gi middleweight brown) medal winner
- 2009 IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu championship silver (middleweight brown) medal winner.
- Awarded BJJ black belt by Renzo Gracie
UFC History
UFC Fight Night (3/19/22) Nelson won a three round unanimous decision over Takashi Sato
UFC Fight Night (9/28/19) Nelson lost a three round unanimous decision to Gilbert Burns
UFC Fight Night (3/16/19) Nelson lost a three round split decision to Leon Edwards
UFC 231 (12/8/18) Nelson submitted Alex Oliveira via rear naked choke at 4:17 of the second round
UFC Fight Night (7/16/17) Nelson was knocked out by Santiago Ponzinibbio at 1:22 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (3/18/17) Nelson submitted Alan Jouban via guillotine choke at :46 of the second round
UFC Fight Night (5/8/16) Nelson submitted Albert Tumenov via rear naked choke at 3:15 of the second round
UFC 194 (12/12/15) Nelson lost a three round unanimous decision to Demian Maia
UFC 189 (7/11/15) Nelson submitted Brandon Thatch via rear naked choke at 2:54 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (10/4/14) Nelson lost a five-round split decision to Rick Story
UFC Fight Night (7/19/14) Nelson submitted Zak Cummings via rear naked choke at 4:48 of the second round
UFC Fight Night (3/8/14) Nelson submitted Omari Akhmedov via guillotine choke at 4:36 of the first round
UFC on FUEL TV (2/16/13) Nelson won a three round unanimous decision over Jorge Santiago
UFC on FUEL TV (9/29/12) Nelson submitted DaMarques Johnson via rear naked choke at 3:34 of the first round.
Q&A
When and why did you start training for fighting? When I was 14, I started training karate because I always was interested in martial arts and used to watch a lot of martial art films with my father.
What ranks and titles have you held? Black belt karate, black belt BJJ
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means a lot to me. I have been watching the UFC since I was young and always felt I would be there one day.
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I dropped out to go travel and train MMA and grappling.
What was your job before you started fighting? I had a few good jobs; one was setting stones and making gardens for people.
Favorite grappling technique: I like chokes very much.
