Career Timeline of Gunnar Nelson (fighter): Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Gunnar Nelson (fighter), from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Gunnar Nelson is an Icelandic professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC's Welterweight division. A black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Renzo Gracie, Nelson gained prominence through his performances at the 2009 IBJJF Pan-Ams and ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship. He trains at Mjölnir MMA in Iceland and SBG Ireland, showcasing his strong grappling base and well-rounded MMA skillset. Nelson is known for his calm demeanor and technical approach to fighting.
1 day ago : Gunnar Nelson at UFC London, Kevin Holland's Welterweight Bout and Career Revival
Gunnar Nelson fights at UFC London. Holland considers welterweight bout, potentially reviving his career. Weigh-in results confirm the fighters participating at the event.
2003: Icelandic Juvenile Kumite Championship
In 2003, Gunnar Nelson won the Icelandic Juvenile Kumite Championship title in Karate.
2004: Icelandic Juvenile Kumite Championship
In 2004, Gunnar Nelson won the Icelandic Juvenile Kumite Championship title in Karate for a second time.
2005: Icelandic Juvenile Kumite Championship and Karate Talent Recognition
In 2005, Gunnar Nelson won the Icelandic Juvenile Kumite Championship title in Karate for the third time and was chosen as Iceland's most promising up-and-coming karate talent.
2006: Begins Grappling
In 2006, Gunnar Nelson began grappling and received his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) blue belt from Matt Thornton of Straight Blast Gym International.
May 2007: MMA Debut
In May 2007, Gunnar Nelson had his first mixed martial arts fight against John Olesen in Copenhagen, Denmark, which was ruled a draw.
2008: Brown Belt
By 2008, John Kavanagh had awarded Gunnar Nelson his brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
2009: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Award
In 2009, Gunnar Nelson achieved impressive results at the IBJJF Pan-Ams and the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship, leading to him being awarded a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by Renzo Gracie.
2009: Achievements at Renzo Gracie Academy
In 2009, Gunnar Nelson won a silver medal in the Mundials brown belt category, gold at the Pan American Championship (Gi), and gold and silver in the Pan American Championship (No-Gi). He also took 4th place in the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship and was awarded his black belt.
February 2010: Return to MMA
In February 2010, Gunnar Nelson returned to MMA at BAMMA 2: Roundhouses at the Roundhouse and defeated Sam Elsdon via submission in the first round.
September 2010: Victory at BAMMA 4
In September 2010, Gunnar Nelson faced Eugene Fadiora at BAMMA 4: Reid vs. Watson and won by submission in the first round.
2011: ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship
In 2011, Gunnar Nelson participated in the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship, defeating Marko Helen and Bruno Frazzato.
February 2012: Return to MMA with Victory
In February 2012, Gunnar Nelson returned to MMA with a first round armbar submission win over Alexander Butenko at Cage Contender 12 in Dublin Ireland.
July 2012: Signs with UFC
In July 2012, Gunnar Nelson signed a multi-fight contract with the UFC, becoming the first fighter from Iceland to fight for the company.
September 29, 2012: UFC Debut
On September 29, 2012, Gunnar Nelson made his promotional debut against DaMarques Johnson at UFC on Fuel TV: Struve vs. Miocic, submitting Johnson via rear-naked choke in the first round after opponent changes due to injuries and weight concerns.
February 16, 2013: Victory over Jorge Santiago
On February 16, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV: Barão vs. McDonald, Gunnar Nelson faced Jorge Santiago after Justin Edwards pulled out due to injury, and Nelson won the fight by unanimous decision.
May 25, 2013: Pulled From Fight
On May 25, 2013, Gunnar Nelson was expected to face Mike Pyle at UFC 160, but he pulled out of the bout due to an injury.
March 8, 2014: UFC Fight Night 37 Victory
On March 8, 2014, Gunnar Nelson faced Omari Akhmedov at UFC Fight Night 37 and won the fight via submission in the first round, earning his first Performance of the Night bonus award.
July 19, 2014: UFC Fight Night 46 Victory
On July 19, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 46, Gunnar Nelson defeated Zak Cummings via second round rear-naked choke, securing his second Performance of the Night bonus award after Ryan LaFlare suffered an injury and was replaced.
October 4, 2014: UFC Fight Night 53 Loss
On October 4, 2014, Gunnar Nelson faced Rick Story in the main event at UFC Fight Night 53 and lost the fight via split decision.
July 11, 2015: UFC 189 Victory
On July 11, 2015, at UFC 189, Gunnar Nelson faced Brandon Thatch, after John Hathaway pulled out due to injury, and won the fight by submission due to a rear naked choke in round one.
December 12, 2015: UFC 194 Loss to Demian Maia
On December 12, 2015, Gunnar Nelson faced Demian Maia at UFC 194 and lost the fight via unanimous decision in a one-sided affair.
May 8, 2016: UFC Fight Night 87 Victory
On May 8, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 87, Gunnar Nelson faced Albert Tumenov and won the fight via submission in the second round, earning his third Performance of the Night bonus.
December 30, 2016: Dong Hyun Kim Scheduled to face Tarec Saffiedine
On December 30, 2016, Dong Hyun Kim was rescheduled to face Tarec Saffiedine at UFC 207 after Gunnar Nelson pulled out of their originally planned fight on November 19 due to an injury.
March 18, 2017: UFC Fight Night 107 Victory
On March 18, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 107, Gunnar Nelson faced Alan Jouban and won by submission via guillotine choke in the second round, earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
July 16, 2017: UFC Fight Night 113 Loss and Controversy
On July 16, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 113, Gunnar Nelson faced Santiago Ponzinibbio and lost the fight by knockout in the first round. Gunnar claimed that Ponzinibbio poked him in the eye during the fight, causing him to see double, though this was dismissed by Ponzinibbio, Gunnar's appeal was denied by UFC.
April 28, 2018: Pulled From UFC Fight Night 130
On April 28, 2018, it was reported that Gunnar Nelson was pulled from the UFC Fight Night 130 event, scheduled for May 27, 2018, due to a knee injury.
December 8, 2018: UFC 231 Victory
On December 8, 2018, at UFC 231, Gunnar Nelson faced Alex Oliveira and won the fight via a rear-naked choke after opening a cut with an elbow in round two.
March 16, 2019: UFC Fight Night 147 Loss
On March 16, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 147, Gunnar Nelson faced Leon Edwards and lost the fight via split decision.
September 28, 2019: UFC Fight Night 160 Loss
On September 28, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 160, Gunnar Nelson faced Gilbert Burns, after Thiago Alves pulled out due to injury, and lost the fight via unanimous decision.
March 19, 2022: UFC Fight Night 204 Victory
On March 19, 2022, as the first fight of his new multi-fight contract, Gunnar Nelson faced Takashi Sato, after Cláudio Silva pulled out due to injury, at UFC Fight Night 204 and won the fight via unanimous decision.
March 18, 2023: UFC 286 Victory
On March 18, 2023, Gunnar Nelson faced Bryan Barberena, after Daniel Rodriguez withdrew, at UFC 286 and won the fight via armbar submission in the first round, earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
March 22, 2025: Scheduled Fight Against Kevin Holland
On March 22, 2025 Gunnar Nelson is scheduled to face Kevin Holland at UFC Fight Night 255, after a two-year hiatus from competing.
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