Name: Roy Nelson
Nickname: Big Country
Record: 13-4
Key Wins: Fabiano Scherner, Brad Imes,
Key Losses: Andrei Arlovski, Ben Rothwell, Jeff Monson
TUF 10 Prediction: Finalist
Roy Nelson is the former IFL Heavyweight champion and has to be the odds on favorite to win the 10th season of the Ultimate Fighter. Nelson is a nearly consesnus top 20 heavyweight in the world, which makes him the highest ranked fighter to enter the Ultimate Fighter reality show. Do not let “Big Country’s” physique deceive you, Nelson is a far better than average grappler. It was at oen time reported that Nelson wanted to join the UFC following the collapse of the IFL, but Dana White did not want Nelson due to his pot belly.
Nelson’s mix of talent and experience should help him greatly on the show. He has been in the ring with some of the best in the world. Most fans probably remember Nelson for being KO’d by Andrei Arlovski, but many fans forget that in that fight there was a more than questionable stand up when Nelson was working a submission. Also, Nelson’s last fight was a split decision loss to Jeff Monson, which most people who saw the fight felt Nelson won. He also owns a split decision loss to top 20 heavyweight Ben Rothwell. In other words, Nelson can more than hang with the best. Nelson has very good submissions and powerful hands which make him a challenge for anyone.
Nelson by no means needed the reality show to get big fights, however the show will certainly garner him a larger following and a greater fan base. I expect that Nelson will be a fan favorite as well as the odds on favorite to win the show.
Roy Nelson’s Fight History
| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/21/2009 | Jeff Monson | Loss | Decision | Round 3 (5:00) |
| 10/4/2008 | Andrei Arlovski | Loss | KO | Round 2 (3:14) |
| 5/16/2008 | Brad Imes | Win | TKO (Corner Stoppage) | Round 1 (2:55) |
| 2/29/2008 | Fabiano Scherner | Win | TKO | Round 1 (3:20) |
| 12/29/2007 | Antoine Jaoude | Win | KO | Round 2 (:22) |
| 11/3/2007 | Bryan Vettel | Win | TKO | Round 3 (1:01) |
| 6/16/2007 | Shane Ott | Win | Decision | Round 3 |
| 4/7/2007 | Ben Rothwell | Loss | Split Decision | Round 3 |
| 2/17/2007 | Mario Rinaldi | Win | TKO | Round 1 (2:38) |
| 1/19/2007 | Vince Lucero | Win | TKO | Round 1 (1:55) |
| 12/16/2006 | Josh Curran | Loss | Decision | Round 3 |
| 7/22/2006 | Jerome Smith | Win | Submission (Side Choke) | Round 1 (4:13) |
| 5/6/2006 | Jason Godsey | Win | Submission (Rear Naked Choke | Round 1 (4:42) |
| 4/1/2006 | Michael Buchkovich | Win | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | Round 1 (:56) |
| 8/28/2004 | Ray Seraille | Win | Submission | Round 2 |
| 4/17/2004 | Jerry Vrabanovic | Win | Split Decision | Round 3 |
| 4/17/2007 | Bo Cantrell | Win | Decision | Round 3 |
MMA Sun 