| Roy Nelson | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | (1976-06-20)June 20, 1976 (age 49) Las Vegas,Nevada, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||
| Other names | Big Country | |||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | |||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 249 lb (113 kg; 17 st 11 lb) | |||||||||||||||||
| Division | Heavyweight | |||||||||||||||||
| Reach | 72 in (183 cm) | |||||||||||||||||
| Stance | Orthodox | |||||||||||||||||
| Fighting out of | Las Vegas,Nevada, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||
| Team | Xtreme Couture | |||||||||||||||||
| Trainer | Boxing:Jeff Mayweather Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:Renzo Gracie | |||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Black belt inBrazilian Jiu-JitsuunderRenzo Gracie[1] Black sash inKung Fu[1] | |||||||||||||||||
| Years active | 2004–Present (MMA) | |||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 44 | |||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 24 | |||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 16 | |||||||||||||||||
| By submission | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 20 | |||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 17 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other information | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | ||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Roy Nelson (born June 20, 1976)[2] is an Americanmixed martial artist who competes in theHeavyweight division. As a professional, he has competed for theUFC,EliteXC, theIFL, BodogFIGHT, and most recently forBellator MMA. In the UFC, Nelson was the winner ofThe Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights and achieved success as a top 10 UFC Heavyweight. Nelson is also the formerIFL Heavyweight Champion, competing underKen Shamrock and theLion's Den.[3][4][5] He holds notable victories overMirko Cro Cop,Cheick Kongo, andAntônio Rodrigo Nogueira.
Nelson was born and raised inLas Vegas, Nevada, and attendedCimarron-Memorial High School, where he competed inwrestling, football, and baseball. Nelson briefly trained inkarate and began training in Ark Wong's Ng Ga Kuen[6]Shaolin Kung Fu when he was 15 years old. Nelson worked briefly in a warehouse in 1999. Nelson originally began training inBrazilian jiu-jitsu under UFC veteran John Lewis in 2000. After seven years working as a substitute teacher and after-school program volunteer in Clark County,[7] Nelson began his own career in mixed martial arts. Nelson has been a long-time student ofBrazilian jiu-jitsu masterRenzo Gracie, who granted him a black belt on August 26, 2009. Nelson was known initially for his strong jiu-jitsu skills, having consistently won jiu-jitsu tournaments before his MMA career, conclusively beatingFrank Mir,Brandon Vera, andDiego Sanchez in the same day to win aGrapplers Quest championship in 2003,[8][9] and competing at theADCC World Championships the same year.[10]
Prior to Nelson's professional mixed martial arts career, he played rugby for theLas Vegas Blackjacks for two seasons (2002–2003).
Nelson made his professionalmixed martial arts debut at a tournament on April 17, 2004. Nelson won both of his fights, winning the Rage on the River Heavyweight Tournament. Nelson compiled a record of 6–1 before being signed by theIFL.
As a member ofKen Shamrock'sLion's Den,[11] Nelson was asked to become a member of theIFL'sNevada Lions in 2007, and made his promotional debut atIFL: Oakland on January 19, 2007, against veteran Vince Lucero. Nelson won viaTKO in the first round.
In the 2007 IFL World Grand Prix, Nelson became theHeavyweight Champion,[12] defeatingAntoine Jaoude on December 29, 2007. Nelson successfully defended his title twice, before theIFL ceased operations.
After the IFL ceased operations Nelson took a fight withEliteXC on 10 days' notice against formerUFC Heavyweight ChampionAndrei Arlovski. Roy Nelson lost via KO in the second round; however, controversy broke out over Nelson being stood up by the referee in the first round from side control, while staying active and working on akimura.[13][14]He then went on to fight forRoy Jones Jr.'s Square Ring Promotions againstJeff Monson. This fight also ended in a controversial loss for Nelson. According to the TV commentators and most MMA media, Nelson won the bout. However, Monson was awarded a unanimous decision.[15][16]
Nelson was one of the sixteen fighters inThe Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.[17] He provided commentary on the show for multiple websites, including weekly Q&A sessions about each individual episode forUSA Today's Fighting Stances[18] and a blog for SpikeTV.com.[19]In his first fight of the show, Nelson defeated former street-fighterKimbo Slice via TKO stoppage in the second round with repeated punches to the head in thecrucifix position.[20] The broadcast was the highest rated MMA show in U.S. history with a 3.7 rating. The fight itself had 6 million viewers.[21]
In the quarterfinals, Nelson defeatedJustin Wren in a two-round majority decision. In the semi-finals, Nelson defeatedJames McSweeney via strikes in the first round again utilizing the crucifix position. He defeatedBrendan Schaub atThe Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale to become the winner ofThe Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights. In the finale, Nelson knocked out Schaub at 3:45 into the first round with a right hook to Schaub's left temple and then hit Schaub on the ground with one punch to the face before the referee pulled Nelson off Schaub. With the win, Nelson earned a six-figure contract with the UFC.
Nelson was scheduled to fightCheick Kongo, though the bout was cancelled after Kongo withdrew.[22] Nelson instead facedJunior dos Santos atUFC 117[23] in a bout to determine the #1 contender (after Cain Velasquez) to theUFC Heavyweight Championship.[24] Nelson lost by unanimous decision, but was able to withstand the varied attacks of dos Santos, as he became the first man to take dos Santos to a decision.[25] Nelson was scheduled to faceShane Carwin atUFC 125.[26] Carwin, however, had to pull out of the fight due to a back injury. Nelson was pulled off the card altogether.[27]
On November 14, 2010, UFC PresidentDana White announced that Nelson's UFC career would be on hold due to Nelson being contractually bound to another fight promotion. White declined to specifically name the promotion, but sources close to Nelson confirmed thatRoy Jones Jr.'s Square Ring Promotions claimed to have Nelson tied down.[28] Nelson stated on The MMA Hour withAriel Helwani that this is old news and that he is still able to fight in the UFC with no problems.[29]
Nelson facedFrank Mir on May 28, 2011, atUFC 130 and lost by unanimous decision. UFC president Dana White criticized Nelson's performance after the fight for Nelson's lack of conditioning. Nelson blamed a bout with the flu for his poor performance.[30] Nelson indicated that he has plans of cutting weight and fighting in thelight heavyweight division at some point in the future.[31]
Nelson facedMirko Cro Cop on October 29, 2011, atUFC 137 and won by TKO in the third round.[32]
Nelson next fought the returningFabrício Werdum atUFC 143 on February 4, 2012.[33] He lost the fight via unanimous decision. The back and forth action earnedFight of the Night honors.
Nelson was scheduled to faceAntônio Silva on May 26, 2012, atUFC 146, but Silva was moved up to fightCain Velasquez.[34] Nelson was then briefly expected to faceGabriel Gonzaga.[35] However, Gonzaga himself was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced byDave Herman,[36] who Nelson knocked out in 51 seconds. He earnedKnockout of the Night honors due to his performance. Joe Rogan said on the live broadcast that "WhenHerman sat down on his ass, he had no idea where he was".[37]
It was announced on July 12, 2012, that Nelson would be coaching on the show, The Ultimate Fighter, against fellow heavyweightShane Carwin,[38] with the two expected to face each other on December 15, 2012, atThe Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson Finale.[39] On November 14, it was announced that Shane Carwin injured his knee and wouldn't be able to fight. On November 15, it was reported that Nelson would faceMatt Mitrione at the TUF 16 Finale.[40] Nelson defeated Mitrione via first-round TKO.
Nelson facedCheick Kongo on April 27, 2013, atUFC 159.[41] Nelson won the fight by knockout at 2:03 of the first round. The win also won him his fourthKnockout of the Night bonus award.
Nelson facedStipe Miocic on June 15, 2013, atUFC 161.[42] Miocic defeated Nelson via unanimous decision. There was speculation about his MMA future because his contract was expiring, but Nelson renewed it soon after.
Nelson facedDaniel Cormier on October 19, 2013, atUFC 166.[43] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Nelson facedAntônio Rodrigo Nogueira on April 11, 2014, in the main event atUFC Fight Night 39.[44] After dropping Nogueira several times with punches in the first round, Nelson finished the fight via knockout with an overhand right.[45][46] The win also earned Nelson his firstPerformance of the Night bonus award.[47] Nelson broke his right hand during the fight for which he required surgery in order to repair.[48]
Nelson next facedMark Hunt on September 20, 2014, in the main event atUFC Fight Night 52.[49] Nelson lost the fight via knockout in the second round. It was his first loss by knockout and his first finished fight outside round 1 in a scheduled 5-round fight.
Nelson facedAlistair Overeem on March 14, 2015, atUFC 185.[50] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
After working as a coach onRoad to UFC Japan, Nelson facedJosh Barnett on September 27, 2015, in the main event atUFC Fight Night 75.[51] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Nelson facedJared Rosholt on February 6, 2016, atUFC Fight Night 82.[52] He won the fight by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, and 29–28).[53]
Nelson facedDerrick Lewis on July 7, 2016, atUFC Fight Night 90[54] Even though breaking his personal record of most takedowns in a fight with 7, Nelson lost via split decision.[55]
Nelson facedAntônio Silva on September 24, 2016, atUFC Fight Night 95.[56] He won the fight by knockout in the second round.[57] After the fight, out of frustration with what he thought was a late stoppage, Nelson push-kicked refereeJohn McCarthy.[58]
Nelson facedAlexander Volkov on April 15, 2017, atUFC on Fox 24.[59] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[60]
In May 2017, it was announced that Nelson's contract with the UFC had expired in April[61] and that he had a signed multi-fight contract withBellator MMA.[62]
In his debut Nelson facedJavy Ayala atBellator 183 on September 23, 2017.[63] He won the fight by unanimous decision in what was his first non-UFC related match in nearly 8 years.[61]
Nelson facedMatt Mitrione in the quarterfinal round of theBellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament atBellator 194 on February 16, 2018.[64] He lost the fight via majority decision.[65]
Nelson was expected to faceMirko Cro Cop in a rematch atBellator 200 on May 25, 2018. However, the bout was scrapped during the week leading up to the event as Cro Cop pulled out of the fight citing an injury.[66]
Nelson facedSergei Kharitonov in theBellator 207 co-main event on October 12, 2018.[67] He lost the fight via knockout in round one.[68]
The rematch against Mirko Cro Cop eventually took place on February 16, 2019, atBellator 216.[69] Nelson lost the fight by unanimous decision.[70]
Nelson facedValentin Moldavsky atBellator 244 on August 21, 2020.[71] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[72]
On October 27, 2020, it was revealed that Nelson had been released from his Bellator MMA contract.[73]
Nelson headlined Gamebred FC 4 in a bare-knuckle MMA bout against Dillon Cleckler on May 5, 2023.[74] He won the fight via knockout in round one.[75]
Nelson faced formerBKFC Heavyweight Champion andUFC veteranAlan Belcher for inaugural Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA Heavyweight Championship at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 6 November 10, 2023.[76] He lost the fight via split decision.[77]
Despite possessing a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, later years saw Nelson develop a reputation for his powerful striking game, specifically his signature overhand-right.[78][6]
Nelson is also known for having an iron chin.[6][79] In fact, after his bout against fellow heavyweightStipe Miocic atUFC 161, Nelson had broken the record for the amount of significant strikes absorbed by a fighter without being knocked out, receiving 437 strikes across his then 10-fight UFC career.[80][79]
Nelson is married to Jess Nelson and they have a son.[81]
Nelson's nickname 'Big Country' originates from his early years in MMA, when his training partners thought Nelson was from a remarkable wrestling state like Iowa or Oklahoma because of his wrestling ability.[81][82]
| 44 matches | 24 wins | 20 losses |
| By knockout | 16 | 3 |
| By submission | 5 | 0 |
| By decision | 3 | 17 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 24–20 | Alan Belcher | Decision (split) | Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 6 | November 10, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | Bare knuckle MMA. |
| Win | 24–19 | Dillon Cleckler | TKO (punch) | Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 4 | May 5, 2023 | 1 | 3:24 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | Bare Knuckle MMA. |
| Loss | 23–19 | Valentin Moldavsky | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 244 | August 21, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Loss | 23–18 | Frank Mir | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 231 | October 25, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Loss | 23–17 | Mirko Cro Cop | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 216 | February 16, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Loss | 23–16 | Sergei Kharitonov | KO (punches and knee) | Bellator 207 | October 12, 2018 | 1 | 4:59 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Loss | 23–15 | Matt Mitrione | Decision (majority) | Bellator 194 | February 16, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 23–14 | Javy Ayala | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 183 | September 24, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Loss | 22–14 | Alexander Volkov | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Reis | April 15, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 22–13 | Antônio Silva | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Cyborg vs. Länsberg | September 24, 2016 | 2 | 4:10 | Brasília, Brazil | |
| Loss | 21–13 | Derrick Lewis | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Alvarez | July 7, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 21–12 | Jared Rosholt | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson | February 6, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 20–12 | Josh Barnett | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Barnett vs. Nelson | September 27, 2015 | 5 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 20–11 | Alistair Overeem | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 185 | March 14, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 20–10 | Mark Hunt | KO (punch) | UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson | September 20, 2014 | 2 | 3:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 20–9 | Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira | KO (punch) | UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Nelson | April 11, 2014 | 1 | 3:37 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 19–9 | Daniel Cormier | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 166 | October 19, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 19–8 | Stipe Miocic | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 161 | June 15, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | |
| Win | 19–7 | Cheick Kongo | KO (punches) | UFC 159 | April 27, 2013 | 1 | 2:03 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | Knockout of the Night. |
| Win | 18–7 | Matt Mitrione | TKO (punches) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson Finale | December 15, 2012 | 1 | 2:58 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 17–7 | Dave Herman | KO (punch) | UFC 146 | May 26, 2012 | 1 | 0:51 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Knockout of the Night. |
| Loss | 16–7 | Fabrício Werdum | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 143 | February 4, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 16–6 | Mirko Cro Cop | TKO (punches) | UFC 137 | October 29, 2011 | 3 | 1:30 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 15–6 | Frank Mir | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 130 | May 28, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 15–5 | Junior dos Santos | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 117 | August 7, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Oakland, California, United States | |
| Win | 15–4 | Stefan Struve | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi | March 31, 2010 | 1 | 0:39 | Charlotte, North Carolina, United States | Knockout of the Night. |
| Win | 14–4 | Brendan Schaub | KO (punch) | The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale | December 5, 2009 | 1 | 3:45 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | WonThe Ultimate Fighter 10 Tournament. Knockout of the Night. |
| Loss | 13–4 | Jeff Monson | Decision (unanimous) | SRP: March Badness | March 21, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Pensacola, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 13–3 | Andrei Arlovski | KO (punch) | EliteXC: Heat | October 4, 2008 | 2 | 3:14 | Sunrise, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 13–2 | Brad Imes | KO (punch) | IFL: Connecticut | May 16, 2008 | 1 | 3:55 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Defended theIFL Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–2 | Fabiano Scherner | TKO (punches) | IFL: Las Vegas | February 29, 2008 | 1 | 3:20 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Defended theIFL Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–2 | Antoine Jaoude | KO (punch) | IFL: World Grand Prix Finals | December 29, 2007 | 2 | 0:22 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Won the inauguralIFL Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–2 | Bryan Vetell | TKO (punches) | IFL: World Grand Prix Semifinals | November 3, 2007 | 3 | 1:01 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | IFL 2007 Heavyweight GP Semi-final. |
| Win | 9–2 | Shane Ott | Decision (unanimous) | IFL: Las Vegas | June 16, 2007 | 3 | 4:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 8–2 | Ben Rothwell | Decision (split) | IFL: Moline | April 7, 2007 | 3 | 4:00 | Moline, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Mario Rinaldi | TKO (punches) | BodogFIGHT: Costa Rica Combat | February 17, 2007 | 1 | 2:38 | San José, Costa Rica | |
| Win | 7–1 | Vince Lucero | TKO (punches) | IFL: Oakland | January 19, 2007 | 1 | 1:55 | Oakland, California, United States | |
| Loss | 6–1 | Josh Curran | Decision (unanimous) | BodogFIGHT: Clash of Nations | December 16, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Saint Petersburg, Russia | |
| Win | 6–0 | Jerome Smith | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | FightForce: Butte Brawl 2 | July 22, 2006 | 1 | 4:13 | Butte, Montana, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Jason Godsey | Submission (rear-naked choke) | FightForce: Butte Brawl 1 | May 6, 2006 | 1 | 4:42 | Butte, Montana, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Michael Buchkovich | Submission (rear-naked choke) | World Extreme Fighting 17 | April 1, 2006 | 1 | 0:56 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Ray Seraile | TKO (submission to punches) | PXC 3: Return of the Enforcer | August 28, 2004 | 2 | 3:41 | Mangilao, Guam | |
| Win | 2–0 | Jerry Vrbanovic | Decision (split) | Rage on the River | April 17, 2004 | 3 | 3:00 | Redding, California, United States | Won the Rage on the River Heavyweight Tournament. |
| Win | 1–0 | Bo Cantrell | Submission (hammerlock) | 3 | 2:52 | Rage on the River Heavyweight Tournament Semi-final. |
| Exhibition record breakdown | ||
| 3 matches | 3 wins | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 2 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 3–0 | James McSweeney | TKO (punches) | The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights | December 2, 2009 (air date) | 1 | 4:13 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Semi-finals. |
| Win | 2–0 | Justin Wren | Decision (majority) | November 11, 2009 (air date) | 2 | 5:00 | Quarter-finals. | ||
| Win | 1–0 | Kimbo Slice | TKO (punches) | June 10, 2009, aired on September 30, 2009 | 2 | 2:01 | Preliminary bout. |
Bellator Countdown - Roy Nelson vs. Matt Mitrione: Episode 1
| New championship | 1stIFL Heavyweight Champion December 29, 2007 – July 31, 2008 | Succeeded by IFL ceased operations |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
