UFC Signs Unbeaten Submission Savant Gunnar Nelson; Debut Set For September 29 In England

Unbeaten welterweight prospect and decorated submission grappler Gunnar Nelson (9-0-1) becomes the latest addition to the always expanding UFC roster.


Promotion officials announced the signing on Sunday.


Nelson will make his Octagon debut against Pascal Krauss (10-1) at UFC on FUEL TV 5 this September. The event takes place on September 29 at Nottingham, England's Capital FM Arena and is headlined by a heavyweight clash between division standouts Stipe Miocic and Stefan Struve.


A Renzo Gracie blackbelt, the 23-year-old Nelson holds a decorated past in the world of submission grappling, having earned gold twice in the 2009 IBJJF Pan-American Championships. The same year, the 170-pounder earned victories over much larger opponents Jeff Monson and David Avellan in the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship, placing fourth overall in the absolute category.


After making his mixed martial arts debut in 2007, the Icelandic standout went on an impressive 9-0-1 run before signing with the UFC, with all but one of his victories coming by stoppage in the first round. Unsurprisingly, six of Nelson's nine career wins have come by way of submission, with three knockout victories rounding out his nine-fight win streak. 


In his most recent outing, Nelson scored a first round armbar victory over Alexander Butenko at February's Cage Contender XII.