Rick Story surprised many MMA fans on this Saturday at UFC fight night in Stockholm, Sweden. Story, who was appointed as the underdog for the duel, beat the previously undefeated – he had 13 wins and a draw – Icelandic Gunnar Nelson by split decision. Nelson, is a BJJ black belt under Renzo Gracie.

Story was seen as an underdog even though he had beaten current champ, Johny Hendricks back in 2010.

As the headliner, the fight was 5 rounds. The opening was quite evenly matched with both fighters exchanging blows. In the second, Story caught a Nelson kick and tripped him but Nelson was quickly back up. Both landed some heavy blows as the fight hit the third round.

Nelson now started working for takedowns but Story defended well and was able to punish ‘Gunni’ with strikes.

In round 4, Nelson was dropped with a clean left. Story then went for the kill, landing more punches on the ground but then decided to stand back up, fearing Nelson’s submission game.

In round 5, both fighter were swinging at each other and landed some big shots. Story ended strongly with a flurry of punches. He did enough to impress the judges.

Story won by split decision via 47-48, 49-46 and 50-44 scores.

After the fight Story said:

“Look at my face; he tapped me quite a bit. He’s definitely quick. Normally when you hit an opponent, they show some emotion. He’s got the toughest poker face in the sport.”

Nelson was gracious in defeat:

“I’m definitely going to learn from this,” he said. “I think everything that happens here, you can take it and learn from it.”

FULL CARD:

Rick Story def. Gunnar Nelson via split decision (47-48, 49-46, 50-44)
Max Holloway def. Akir Corassani via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:11
Jan Blachowicz def. Ilir Latifi via TKO (kick and punches) – Round 1, 1:58
Mike Wilkinson def. Niklas Backstrom via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:19
Magnus Cedenblad def. Scott Askham via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Nico Musoke def. Alexander Yakovlev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Dennis Siver def. Charles Rosa via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Cathal Pendred def. Gasan Umalatov via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28
Krzysztof Jotko def. Tor Troeng via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
Mairbek Taisumov def. Marcin Bandel via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:01
Zubaira Tukhugov def. Ernest Chavez via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:21