Roy Nelson

The rematch against Mirko Cro Cop eventually took place on February 16, 2019 at Bellator 216. Nelson lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Nelson faced Matt Mitrione in the quarterfinal round of the Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament at Bellator 194 on February 16, 2018. He lost the fight via majority decision.

Nelson was expected to face Mirko Cro Cop in a rematch at Bellator 200 on May 25, 2018. However, the bout was scrapped during the week leading up to the event as Cro Cop pulled out of the fight citing an injury.

Nelson faced Sergei Kharitonov in the Bellator 207 co-main event on October 12, 2018. He lost the fight via knockout in round one.

Nelson faced Alexander Volkov on April 15, 2017 at UFC on Fox 24. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

In May 2017, it was announced that Nelson's contract with the UFC had expired in April and that he had a signed multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA.

In his debut Nelson faced Javy Ayala at Bellator 183 on September 23, 2017. He won the fight by unanimous decision in what was his first non-UFC related match in nearly 8 years.

Nelson faced Jared Rosholt on February 6, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 82. He won the fight by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, and 29–28).

Nelson faced Derrick Lewis on July 7, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 90 Even though breaking his personal record of most takedowns in a fight with 7, Nelson lost via split decision.

Nelson faced Antônio Silva on September 24, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 95. He won the fight by knockout in the second round. After the fight, out of frustration with what he thought was a late stoppage, Nelson push-kicked referee John McCarthy.

Nelson faced Alistair Overeem on March 14, 2015 at UFC 185. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

After working as a coach on Road to UFC Japan, Nelson faced Josh Barnett on September 27, 2015 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 75. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Nelson faced Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira on April 11, 2014 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 39. After dropping Nogueira several times with punches in the first round, Nelson finished the fight via knockout with an overhand right. The win also earned Nelson his first Performance of the Night bonus award. Nelson broke his right hand during the fight for which he required surgery in order to repair.

Nelson next faced Mark Hunt on September 20, 2014 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 52. Nelson lost the fight via knockout in the second round. It was his first loss by knockout, and his first finished fight outside round 1 in a scheduled 5-round fight.

Nelson faced Cheick Kongo on April 27, 2013 at UFC 159. Nelson won the fight by knockout at 2:03 of the first round. The win also won him his fourth Knockout of the Night bonus award.

Nelson faced Stipe Miocic on June 15, 2013 at UFC 161. Miocic defeated Nelson via unanimous decision. There was speculation about his MMA future because his contract was expiring, but Nelson renewed it soon after.

Nelson faced Daniel Cormier on October 19, 2013 at UFC 166. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Nelson next fought the returning Fabrício Werdum at UFC 143 on February 4, 2012. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. The back and forth action earned Fight of the Night honors.

Nelson was scheduled to face Antônio Silva on May 26, 2012 at UFC 146, but Silva was moved up to fight Cain Velasquez. Nelson was then briefly expected to face Gabriel Gonzaga. However, Gonzaga himself was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Dave Herman, who Nelson knocked out in 51 seconds. He earned Knockout of the Night honors due to his performance. Joe Rogan said on the live broadcast that "When Herman sat down on his ass, he had no idea where he was".

It was announced on July 12, 2012 that Nelson would be coaching on the show, The Ultimate Fighter, against fellow heavyweight Shane Carwin, with the two expected to face each other on December 15, 2012 at The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson Finale. On November 14, it was announced that Shane Carwin injured his knee and wouldn't be able to fight. On November 15, it was reported that Nelson would face Matt Mitrione at the TUF 16 Finale. Nelson defeated Mitrione via first-round TKO.

Nelson faced Frank Mir on May 28, 2011 at UFC 130 and lost by unanimous decision. UFC president Dana White criticized Nelson's performance after the fight for Nelson's lack of conditioning. Nelson blamed a bout with the flu for his poor performance. Nelson indicated that he has plans of cutting weight and fighting in the light heavyweight division at some point in the future.

Nelson faced Mirko Cro Cop on October 29, 2011 at UFC 137 and won by TKO in the third round.

In his first fight since The Ultimate Fighter Finale, Nelson knocked out Stefan Struve after 39 seconds in the first round at the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 21 on March 31, 2010, winning his second straight Knockout of the Night Bonus. Nelson was scheduled to fight Cheick Kongo, though the bout was cancelled after Kongo withdrew. Nelson instead faced Junior dos Santos at UFC 117 in a bout to determine the #1 contender (after Cain Velasquez) to the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Nelson lost by unanimous decision, but was able to withstand the varied attacks of dos Santos, becoming the first man to take dos Santos to a decision. Nelson was scheduled to face Shane Carwin at UFC 125. Carwin, however, had to pull out of the fight due to a back injury. Nelson was pulled off the card altogether.

On November 14, 2010, UFC President Dana White announced that Nelson's UFC career would be on hold due to Nelson being contractually bound to another fight promotion. White declined to specifically name the promotion, but sources close to Nelson confirmed that Roy Jones Jr.'s Square Ring Promotions claimed to have Nelson tied down. Nelson stated on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani that this is old news and that he is still able to fight in the UFC with no problems.

Nelson was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada and attended Cimarron-Memorial High School, where he competed in wrestling, football, and baseball. Nelson briefly trained in karate and began training in Ark Wong's Ng Ga Kuen Shaolin Kung Fu when he was 15 years old. Nelson worked briefly as a warehouse worker in 1999. Nelson originally began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under UFC veteran John Lewis in 2000 and after working as a school teacher for a few years, Nelson began his own career in mixed martial arts. Nelson has been a long time student of Brazilian jiu-jitsu master Renzo Gracie, who granted him a black belt on August 26, 2009. Nelson was known initially for his strong Jiu-Jitsu game, and has competed at the Abu Dhabi Grappling Championships.

As a member of Ken Shamrock's Lion's Den, Nelson was asked to become a member of the IFL's Nevada Lions in 2007, and made his promotional debut at IFL: Oakland on January 19, 2007 against veteran Vince Lucero. Nelson won via TKO in the first round.

In the 2007 IFL World Grand Prix, Nelson became the Heavyweight Champion, defeating Antoine Jaoude on December 29, 2007. Nelson successfully defended his title twice, before the IFL ceased operations.

Nelson made his professional mixed martial arts debut at a tournament on April 17, 2004. Nelson won both of his fights, winning the Rage on the River Heavyweight Tournament. Nelson compiled a record of 6–1 before being signed by the IFL.

Prior to Nelson's professional mixed martial arts career, he played rugby for the Las Vegas Blackjacks for two seasons (2002–2003).

Roy Nelson (born June 20, 1976) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2004, he formerly competed for the UFC, EliteXC, the IFL, BodogFIGHT, and was the winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights. Nelson is also the former IFL Heavyweight Champion, competing under Ken Shamrock and the Lion's Den.