Gunnar Nelson

Gunnar Nelson is one of the most distinctive fighters of his era, a soft-spoken Icelander who fights with an almost unsettling calm. Trained under Renzo Gracie, he combined elusive, karate-style movement on the feet with elite jiu-jitsu, making him a nightmare for opponents who couldn't pin down his rhythm.

At his best he ran off impressive wins and looked like a genuine welterweight contender. The division's elite grapplers and strikers, including Demian Maia and a young Leon Edwards, ultimately marked his ceiling, but his style never stopped being a problem for anyone.

As Iceland's first real UFC standout, Nelson carries a trailblazer's legacy, and his cult following comes from a style that simply doesn't look like anyone else's.