I dont think about what my opponent will do in the fight and especially what he has to say about me–doesn't matter to me at all —Gunnar Nelson

"Martial arts is not about picking your fights and picking how things go; it's about adapting to the how things are." —Gunnar Nelson

I'm a very focused person. If I'm focusing on something I don't like distractions and I like to just do that one thing. And Jiu-Jitsu and MMA basically became that one thing for me. -Gunnar Nelson

Conor McGregor on the influence of Gunnar Nelson on him

The calmness of Gunnar Nelson is a trait that has rubbed off on his friend and training partner Conor McGregor and something that the Irish UFC star appreciates:

He’s an inspiring man and I’ve taken a lot from his mental approach to the game – he’s got a strong, calm mentality. He’s also a great training partner and great friend.

Lyoto Machida and Gunnar Nelson on Emptying your Mind

Fighters such as Lyoto Machida and Gunnar Nelson, try and empty their mind before fights and not think of anything. At that point they just let their training shine forth and allow their body to do what it practiced for weeks leading up to the event.

They enter into the Mushin state, which is "no mind" translated from Japanese.

5 Quotes on Fighting without Emotion

Quotes on the Journey, and enjoying the journey, not just the destination

Quotes on Staying Calm

Gunnar Nelson: The meaning is in the journey

For Iceland UFC star Gunnar Nelson, it's the journey, not the destination, that matters:

(A black belt) doesn't mean anything. The meaning is in the journey.

Gunnar Nelson on clearing his mind before fights

More quotes from Gunnar Nelson.

Gunnar Nelson on Anger and Fear

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Gunnar Nelson on becoming a winner

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Gunnar Nelson on Fear

UFC welterweight out of Iceland, Gunnar Nelson, is remarkably calm and relaxed before his fights and clears his mind through a no-thought type of meditative process. But this point it's just a natural type of state for him, but it involves the washing away of all thought, and that includes fear:

I'm not afraid to lose, fear of losing is a weakness that increases the probability of losing.

More Gunnar Nelson quotes.

Gunnar Nelson Quotes

 

In many people's eyes, Gunnar Nelson, the price of Iceland MMA, is one of the most calm fighters you will ever meet. Some fighters pump themselves up into a frenzy before fights, but Nelson takes the exact opposite approach and gets into a stoic relaxed state of thoughtlessness. He is almost spookily calm and it may even throw off his opponents because they're not accustomed to such confident behavior. Having no thought and being relaxed going into a fight is a conscious effort made by Nelson, who practices meditation and attempts to quiet the mind so that he can maximize his potential inside the UFC Octagon.

 

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