Fotboll
MMA Guide: MMA fighters from Iceland you must keep an eye on!
MMA fighters from Iceland. Photo via Instagram and YouTube
Surrounded by hundreds of miles of water in all directions, it’s not easy to be a MMA fighter from Iceland. With fewer than 400.000 residents, Iceland has still a bunch of skilled MMA fighters – even though the conditions for competing are far from perfect.
This article is not intended to rank the athletes, but rather to give credit to the pro and amateur fighters coming out of the country. With that said, here are some of the MMA fighters from Iceland you must keep an eye on!
Romero Cruz
Romero Cruz. Photo via Instagram (@yonatanfrancisco)
- Amateur MMA record: 3-1
Romero Cruz is a red-hot fighter on the Icelandic scene!
As a amateur champion in UK promotion Cage Steeled, he already fought internationally and defended his belt once.
Gunnar Nelson
Gunnar Nelson. Photo via Instagram (@gunninelson)
- MMA record: 19-5-1
The Godfather of Icelandic MMA, Gunnar Nelson, is the best known fighter to ever emerge from the island.
The 36-year-old welterweight is not the most active fighter on the UFC roster, but rides a two-fight winning streak. During the years he faced the likes of Demian Maia, Leon Edwards, Gilbert Burns and Bryan Barberena, and collected five post-fight bonuses.
We hope to see Nelson back in the cage as soon as possible!
Aron Leo
Aron Leo. Photo via Instagram
- MMA record: 2-0
After representing Iceland in the IMMAF European Championships 2022, welterweight fighter Aron Leo made his pro debut in 2024.
So far he’s undefeated with back-to-back wins in UK promotion Caged Steel.
Jhoan Salinas
Jhoan Salinas. Photo via YouTube
- Amateur MMA record: 5-1
Jhoan Salinas fought the majority of his bouts in UK promotion Caged Steel and became a champion in December last year when he defeated Sam Brown via a first-round submission.
In June he returned to action in Caged Steel with another quick stoppage win. The feature certainly looks bright for Salinas.
Aron Kevinsson
MMA fighters from Iceland. Photo via Instagram
- Amateur MMA record: 5-4
Aron Kevinsson is a rising star on the Nordic scene. Representing Reykjavík MMA, the young fighter recently won a title in UK promotion Caged Steel.
Make sure to keep an eye on Kevinsson!
Dagmar Hrund Sigurleifsdottir
MMA fighters from Iceland. Photo via Facebook (Reykjavik MMA)
- Amateur MMA record: 3-3
Dagmar Hrund Sigurleifsdottir is an amateur fighter who spent most of her amateur career competing in England.
In her last outing she defeated Janine Reaney via unanimous decision.
Hrafn Thrainsson
MMA fighters from Iceland. Photo via Instagram (@krumsenforpresident)
- Amateur MMA record: 2-0
Caged Steel champion Hrafn Thrainsson is a man of many talents.
Besides fighting in the cage, he’s a movie stunt man and a co-owner/coach of Reykjavík MMA.