Gunnar Nelson is a professional Jiu Jitsu BJJ) and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter from Iceland. One of the strongest competitors in the European grappling scene, Gunnar became a household name in the sport after placing fourth in the ADCC tournament (open weight division) in 2009. Gunnar Nelson has been one of the youngest Europeans to have received a BJJ black belt (he was 21 years old) and with only 4 years of training.
Gunnar Nelson Jiu Jitsu
Nickname: “Gunni” which is short for Gunnar.
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Jr > Renzo Gracie > Gunnar Nelson
Main Achievements (BJJ):
- IBJJF Pan American Champion (2009 brown)
- IBJJF Pan American No Gi Champion (2009** black)
- IBJJF New York Open Champion (2009 brown)
- IBJJF World Silver Medallist (2009 brown)
- Scandinavian Open 2nd Place (2009)
Weight Division (BJJ): Meio Pesado (88kg/194lbs)
Team/Association: Mjölnir – SBG/Renzo Gracie
Gunnar Nelson Biography
Gunnar Nelson was born on the 28th of July 1988 in Iceland. He grew up amongst sports, namely Ice Hockey and football (soccer), though he soon transitioned to Karate (Goju Ryu style). His athleticism and keen eye for detail led him to success in Karate, and by the time he was 16 he had already won 3 national juvenile kumite tournaments and was considered one of the top up and coming “karateka” in the country.
As he grew, he became more interested in MMA, and wanted to follow that career; with this in mind in 2005 he decided to take on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Gunnar’s drive to be successful led him to take several trips abroad to get the best possible training, and so frequent travels to the United Kingdom led him to Matt Thornton (who awarded him his blue and purple belts) and John Kavanagh (who gave him his brown belt). By 2007 Gunnar Nelson’s MMA career was already well underway.
Gunnar also made several trips to New York where he befriended Renzo Gracie. There his game was brought to the next level by training with top level BJJ practitioners. It was under Renzo’s guidance that Gunner achieved some of his biggest tournament wins, with victories at the New York Open and the Pan American (Gi and Nogi). It was also Renzo who awarded Gunnar Nelso his black belt on the 30th of September 2009.
PLEASE NOTE: The grappling record (below) only relates to black belt division matches.
Gunnar Nelson Grappling Record
-
BY POINTS
3 (75%) -
BY ADVANTAGES
0 (0%) -
BY SUBMISSION
1 (25%) -
BY DECISION
0 (0%) -
BY PENALTIES
0 (0%) - BY DQ
0 (0%)
1 SUBMISSION WINS
-
BY POINTS
3 (60%) -
BY ADVANTAGES
0 (0%) -
BY SUBMISSION
1 (20%) -
BY DECISION
1 (20%) -
BY PENALTIES
0 (0%) - BY DQ
0 (0%)
1 SUBMISSION LOSSES
Gunnar Nelson Fight History
| ID | Opponent | W/L | Method | Competition | Weight | Stage | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2260 | James BrascoJames Brasco | L | Referee Decision | ADCC | 88KG | R1 | 2009 |
| 2305 | Alexandre RibeiroAlexandre Ribeiro | L | Kneebar | ADCC | ABS | SF | 2009 |
| 2309 | Vinny MagalhaesVinny Magalhaes | L | Pts: 3x0 | ADCC | ABS | 3RD | 2009 |
| 3271 | Andre GalvaoAndre Galvao | L | Pts: 3x0 | ADCC | 88KG | 4F | 2011 |
| 3313 | Alexandre RibeiroAlexandre Ribeiro | L | Pts: 2x0 | ADCC | ABS | 4F | 2011 |
| 2300 | Jeff Monson | W | Pts: 3x0 | ADCC | ABS | R1 | 2009 |
| 2304 | David Avellan | W | RNC | ADCC | ABS | 4F | 2009 |
| 3243 | Marko Helen | W | Pts: 5x0 | ADCC | 88KG | R1 | 2011 |
| 3304 | Bruno FrazattoBruno Frazatto | W | Points | ADCC | ABS | R1 | 2011 |
Gunnar Nelson vs Clark Gracie
Gunner Nelson vs Michael Russell
Gunnar Nelson vs Sam Elsdon
He IS The Youngest European to have received a BJJ Black Belt.
I couldn't tell exactly who awarded him his black belt, but he was trained by Helio throughout his life. Carlos could of given him the BB, but it was Helio who trained Carlinhos. I will try to dig deeper who actually gave him the BB.
I believe he got his black belt from John Kavanagh (2nd degree black belt) in SBG Dublin
No, he got it from Renzo.
Blue belt from Matt Thornton on april 25. 2006
Purple belt from Matt Thornton on june 3. 2007
Brown belt from John Kavanagh on june 28. 2008
Black belt from Renzo Gracie on september 30. 2009
I believe the Lineage here is wrong. It should be: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Carlos Gracie Junior > Renzo Gracie > Gunnar Nelson
Helio taught all the second generation Gracies, Carlos Sr. had retired long before that and left the instruction to Helio.
Well if this is Renzo's lineage (as it is on this web):
Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Carlos Gracie Junior > Renzo Gracie
Than Gunnar's should be:
Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Carlos Gracie Junior > Renzo Gracie > Gunnar Nelson
Renzo gave Gunnar his black belt, but the influence of John Kavanagh and Matt Thornton of SBGi should not be understated as Gunnar earned his blue through brown under those two.
Not according to Gunnar's own website. He got the black belt from Renzo.
Gunnar vs prime Maia No Gi who do you guys think would win?
I believe your question has been answered
He also placed 4th in the adcc absolute division after beating Jeff monson.