Roy Nelson
UFC 2009–present · rated in 3 editions · peak overall 81.0
Scouting report
A rotund frame, famous belly-rub celebration, and overhand right knockout power endeared Roy "Big Country" Nelson to fight fans. Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, the TUF 10 winner and BJJ black belt scored Octagon knockouts of Stefan Struve, Cheick Kongo, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Mirko Cro Cop, his toughness proven by an 83 Durability and 77 Strength, securing a 79 Overall rating.
Peak ratings
By edition
Nelson established himself as a knockout artist between 2011 and 2013, scoring first-round overhand right knockouts of Dave Herman, Matt Mitrione in Las Vegas, and Cheick Kongo at UFC 159 in Newark, while dropping decisions to Junior dos Santos, Fabricio Werdum, and Daniel Cormier. His chin, overhand right power, and BJJ black belt are reflected in an 94 Durability and 84 Boxing.
In April 2014 in Abu Dhabi, Nelson flattened former interim champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira with an overhand right in round one, before suffering a knockout against Mark Hunt in Saitama and dropping decisions to Alistair Overeem and Josh Barnett. His chin, overhand right threat, and clinch dirty boxing anchor his 92 Durability and 84 Boxing.
Between 2016 and 2017, Nelson defeated Jared Rosholt in Las Vegas and knocked out Antonio Silva with an uppercut in Brasilia, before dropping close decisions to Derrick Lewis and Alexander Volkov and moving to Bellator MMA. His durability, overhand right counter, and top control wrestling justify his 90 Durability and 83 Boxing.
Draft Roy Nelson into your build
Roy Nelson enters the pool on any spin landing on heavyweight between 2010 and 2017. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are our own, built from independent research and from how Roy Nelson is regarded by the MMA community, with the EA Sports UFC games used only as a starting baseline for the scale. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Roy Nelson's real-world abilities. See the disclaimer below.