Roy Nelson (fighter)
Roy Nelson | |
---|---|
Born | Roy Nelson June 20, 1976 Las Vegas, Nevada |
Other names | Big Country |
Nationality | American |
Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
Weight | 263 lb (119 kg; 18.8 st) |
Division | 265 |
Reach | 74.0 in (188 cm) |
Style | Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
Fighting out of | Las Vegas, Nevada |
Team | Country Club |
Rank | Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
Years active | 2004–present MMA |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 19 |
Wins | 15 |
By knockout | 8 |
By submission | 4 |
By decision | 3 |
Losses | 4 |
Other information | |
Website | http://roynelson.com/ |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Last updated on: October 1, 2009 |
Roy Nelson (born June 20, 1976) is an American Mixed martial arts fighter currently competing in the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, former International Fight League Heavyweight Champion and winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights. He is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Renzo Gracie, and is known for his grappling skills and agility.[1] The September 30, 2009 broadcast of his fight against Kimbo Slice, officially an exhibition, was the fourth most-watched MMA match in U.S. history.[2]
Mixed martial arts career
Nelson has been a long time student of BJJ master Renzo Gracie, who granted him a Black belt August 26, 2009.[3] Nelson has competed at the Abu Dhabi Grappling Championships (ADCC) and has trained with some of the world's best fighters including UFC's Randy Couture, Tito Ortiz, Ricco Rodriguez and Ken Shamrock.[4]
As a member of Ken Shamrock's Lion's Den[5] he was invited to become a member of the IFL's Nevada Lions in 2007. In the 2007 IFL World Grand Prix, Nelson became the league's first ever heavyweight champion, defeating Antoine Jaoude on December 29, 2007. Nelson successfully defended his title twice, before the IFL ceased operations.
Grapplers Quest World's Grappling Event
In 2003, Roy Nelson defeated Frank Mir on points in a grappling tournament hosted by Grapplers Quest.[6]
The Ultimate Fighter
Nelson was one of the 16 fighters in The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.[7] He did commentaries on the show for multiple websites, including weekly Q&A sessions about each episode for USA Today's Fighting Stances[8] and a blog for SpikeTV.com.[9]
In his first fight of the show, Nelson defeated former street-fighter Kimbo Slice via TKO stoppage in round 2 with repeated punches to the head in the crucifix position. [10] The broadcast was the highest rated MMA show in U.S. history with a 3.7 rating. The fight itself had 6 million viewers.[11]
In the quarterfinals, Nelson defeated Justin Wren in a two-round majority decision.
In the semifinals, Nelson defeated James McSweeney via strikes in the first round. He defeated Brendan Schaub at The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale to become the winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights. In the finale Nelson knocked out Schaub at 3:45 into the first round with a powerful 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.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In his first fight since The Ultimate Fighter Finale, Nelson knocked out Stefan Struve after 39 seconds in the first round at the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 21 on March 31, 2010, winning his second straight Knockout of the Night Bonus.
Nelson was expected to face Cheick Kongo on July 3, 2010 at UFC 116 but a back injury has sidelined Kongo causing the cancellation of the fight. [12]
Personal life
Nelson has a wife named Jessy.[13]
Championships and Accomplishments
- IFL Heavyweight Championship (1 time, first)
- The Ultimate Fighter Heavyweights Tournament Winner
- Knockout of the Night Honors (2 times)
Mixed martial arts record
19 matches | 15 wins | 4 losses |
By knockout | 8 | 1 |
By submission | 4 | 0 |
By decision | 3 | 3 |
Result | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UFC 116 | July 3, 2010 | Nevada, United States | ||||||
Win | Stefan Struve | KO (Punch) | UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi | March 31, 2010 | 1 | 0:39 | North Carolina, United States | Knockout of the Night |
Win | Brendan Schaub | KO (Punch) | The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale | December 5, 2009 | 1 | 3:45 | Nevada, United States | Won The Ultimate Fighter Season 10 Finale. Won Knockout of the Night |
Loss | Jeff Monson | Decision (Unanimous) | March Badness | March 21, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Florida, United States | |
Loss | Andrei Arlovski | KO (Punch) | EliteXC: Heat | October 4, 2008 | 2 | 3:14 | Florida, United States | |
Win | Brad Imes | TKO (Punches) | IFL – Connecticut | May 16, 2008 | 1 | 2:55 | Connecticut, United States | Defended IFL Heavyweight Championship |
Win | Fabiano Scherner | TKO (Punches) | IFL – Las Vegas | February 29, 2008 | 1 | 3:20 | Nevada, United States | Defended IFL Heavyweight Championship |
Win | Antoine Jaoude | KO (Punch) | IFL – World Grand Prix Finals | December 29, 2007 | 2 | 0:22 | Connecticut, United States | Became First IFL Heavyweight Champion |
Win | Bryan Vetell | TKO (Punches) | IFL – World Grand Prix Semifinals | November 3, 2007 | 3 | 1:01 | Illinois, United States | |
Win | Shane Ott | Decision (Unanimous) | IFL – Las Vegas | June 16, 2007 | 3 | 4:00 | Nevada, United States | |
Loss | Ben Rothwell | Decision (Split) | IFL – Moline | April 7, 2007 | 3 | 4:00 | Illinois, United States | |
Win | Mario Rinaldi | TKO (Punches) | BodogFight – Costa Rica | February 17, 2007 | 1 | 2:38 | Costa Rica | |
Win | Vince Lucero | TKO (Punches) | IFL – Oakland | January 19, 2007 | 1 | 1:55 | California, United States | |
Loss | Josh Curran | Decision (Unanimous) | BodogFight – St.Petersburg | December 16, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | St.Petersburg, Russia | |
Win | Jerome Smith | Submission (Side Choke) | FightForce: Butte Brawl 2 | July 22, 2006 | 1 | 4:13 | Montana, United States | |
Win | Jason Godsey | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | FightForce: Butte Brawl 1 | May 6, 2006 | 1 | 4:42 | Montana, United States | |
Win | Michael Buchkovich | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | WEF – Orleans Arena | April 1, 2006 | 1 | 0:56 | Nevada, United States | |
Win | Ray Seraille | Submission | PXC 3: Return of the Enforcer | August 28, 2004 | 2 | N/A | Guam | |
Win | Bo Cantrell | Decision | Rage on the River | April 17, 2004 | 3 | 3:00 | California, United States | |
Win | Jerry Vrbanovic | Decision (Split) | Rage on the River | April 17, 2004 | 3 | 3:00 | California, United States |
References
- ^ http://www.renzogracie.com/content/view/269/74/
- ^ Wrestling Observer Newsletter, October 12, 2009 issue
- ^ http://www.renzogracie.com/content/view/269/74/
- ^ http://www.kenshamrock.com/fighters/roy-big-country-nelson/
- ^ http://www.kenshamrock.com/fighters/roy-big-country-nelson/
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dj5xMeXybs&NR=1&feature=fvwp
- ^ http://mmamadness.com/insight/news/3936
- ^ TUF 10's Nelson dishes on Episode 1 - http://content.usatoday.com/communities/mma/post/2009/09/tufs-nelson-dishes-on-episode-1/1
- ^ "Roy Nelson's Ultimate Fighter blog". spike.com. Retrieved 2009-12-05.
- ^ "Kimbo Slice vs Roy Nelson Results". Retrieved 2009-10-01.
- ^ Wrestling Observer Newsletter, October 12, 2009 issue
- ^ "Back Injury Prevents Cheick Kongo From Fighting Roy Nelson at UFC 116 in July". MMAFRENZY.com. 2010-04-30. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
- ^ "Everything you don't know about Roy 'Big Country' Nelson". LASVEGASSUN.com. 2010-04-09. Retrieved 2010-04-11.