Gunnar Nelson is an Icelandic professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight division.
In this article, you will know Gunnar Nelson’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Gunnar Nelson’s Biography
| Full Name | Gunnar Lúðvík Nelson |
| Nickname | Gunni |
| Date of Birth | 28 July 1988 |
| Birth Place | Akureyri, Iceland |
| Residence | Reykjavik, Iceland |
| Age | 34 |
| Height | 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Division | Welterweight |
| Reach | 72″ |
| Promotion | UFC |
| MMA Record | 18-5-1 |
| Net Worth | $5 million |
| Base Salary | $80,000 (approx.) |
| Relationship Status | In a Relationship |
| Partner/Girlfriend | Fransiska Björk Hinriksdóttir |
| @gunninelson |
Gunnar Lúðvík Nelson was born on 28 July 1988 in Akureyri, Iceland. He lived in Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, from an early age and currently resides there.
Gunnad trained and competed in karate, grappling, and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu from a young age and won several titles.
MMA Career
Gunnar Nelson made his professional MMA debut in May 2007. He went 9-0 before making his UFC debut in February 2013.
Gunni currently competes in the UFC welterweight division. He has an 18-5-1 MMA record. The only draw of his career came in his very first MMA bout.
The Icelandic fighter was named the UFC Performance of the Night four times, against Omari Akhmedov, Zak Cummings, Albert Tumenov, and Alan Jouban.
Gunni beat Takashi Sato in his last bout at UFC Fight Night 204 in March 2022.
Gunnar Nelson is scheduled to face Bryan Barberena at UFC 286 on March 18, 2023, in a welterweight bout on the main card.
Girlfriend
Gunnar Nelson’s gorgeous girlfriend is Fransiska Björk Hinriksdóttir. The couple has a daughter together, born in 2019.
Gunnar Nelson’s Net Worth Details
Icelandic UFC fighter Gunnar Nelson’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million as of 2025.
His primary sources of earnings are his fight purse and incentives. Gunni’s estimated base salary for a fight is close to $80,000, depending on his UFC contract, the event, and the opponent.
Gunnar earned $155,000 total payouts for his win against Takashi Sato at UFC Fight Night 204 ($75,000 base pay, $75,000 win bonus, and $5,000 incentive pay).
For his win against Alex Oliveira at UFC 231, Gunnar earned $168,000 payouts ($79,000 base salary, $79,000 win bonus, and $10,000 incentive pay).
Moreover, the Icelandic fighter has been named the UFC Performance of the Night four times, and the organization currently awards a $50,000 bonus.
The 34-year-old also earns a considerable chunk from endorsements and brand promotions.
MMA Record
| Total Fights | 24 |
| Wins | 18 |
| Draw | 1 |
| Lost | 5 |
| Win by KO/TKO | 4 |
FAQs
1. Who is Gunnar Nelson?
Gunnar Nelson is an Icelandic professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Renzo Gracie. Born on July 28, 1988, he competes in the UFC’s welterweight division and is known for his submission skills and karate-based fighting style. He has been active in MMA since 2007.
2. What is Gunnar Nelson’s professional MMA record?
Gunnar Nelson’s professional MMA record is 19 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw. Of his victories, 13 are by submission and 4 by knockout. He has fought in the UFC 15 times, achieving a record of 10 wins and 5 losses in the promotion.
3. What are Gunnar Nelson’s notable achievements in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Gunnar Nelson won the IBJJF Pan American No-Gi Championship (black belt) in 2009 and earned silver at the IBJJF World Championship (brown belt) the same year. He is regarded as one of Iceland’s most successful BJJ practitioners, holding a black belt under Renzo Gracie.
4. What is Gunnar Nelson’s fighting style?
Gunnar Nelson combines a karate-based striking style with elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grappling. His unique stance and precision striking are complemented by exceptional submission skills, making him a versatile fighter in both stand-up and ground combat.
5. What awards has Gunnar Nelson won in the UFC?
Gunnar Nelson has earned the UFC “Performance of the Night” bonus four times for his victories over Alex Oliveira, Alan Jouban, Albert Tumenov, and Omari Akhmedov. These awards recognize his exceptional finishes and technical skill inside the octagon.
6. What is Gunnar Nelson’s net worth?
Gunnar Nelson’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million. His income primarily comes from fight purses, bonuses, and sponsorships. For example, he earned $155,000 for his win against Takashi Sato at UFC Fight Night 204.
7. What are Gunnar Nelson’s physical attributes?
Gunnar Nelson stands at 5’11” (181 cm) with a reach of 72 inches (183 cm). He competes in the welterweight division (170 lbs) and is known for his agility and precision in both striking and grappling.
8. Who has Gunnar Nelson defeated recently?
In his most recent fight at UFC 286 on March 18, 2023, Gunnar Nelson defeated Bryan Barberena via first-round armbar submission. Prior to that, he won against Takashi Sato by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night London on March 19, 2022.
9. What setbacks has Gunnar Nelson faced in his career?
Gunnar has faced notable losses to top fighters like Leon Edwards, Gilbert Burns, Demian Maia, and Santiago Ponzinibbio. His loss to Ponzinibbio was controversial due to multiple eye pokes during the fight. Despite setbacks, he remains a respected competitor.
10. When is Gunnar Nelson’s next fight scheduled?
Gunnar Nelson is set to face Kevin Holland on March 22, 2025, at UFC London: Edwards vs. Della Maddalena. This fight marks his return after a two-year hiatus from competition. Fans can watch it via ESPN+ in the U.S. or discovery+ Premium in the U.K.
