Aaron Riley

Last updated
Aaron Riley
Born (1980-12-09) December 9, 1980 (age 44)
Tell City, Indiana, U.S.
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
Division Lightweight
Welterweight
Reach69 in (175 cm)
Style Boxing, Wrestling, Judo, Taekwondo
Stance Southpaw
Fighting out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Team Jackson's Submission Fighting
American Top Team (formerly) [1] [2]
Years active1997–2013
Mixed martial arts record
Total45
Wins30
By knockout10
By submission9
By decision11
Losses14
By knockout7
By submission2
By decision5
Draws1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Aaron Riley (born December 9, 1980) is a retired American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor from 1997 to 2013, he has also formerly competed in PRIDE, the IFL, Shooto, and BodogFIGHT. Aside from mixed martial arts, Riley has also competed in boxing (becoming a Golden Gloves champion) and wrestling.

Contents

Background

Riley was born and raised in Tell City, Indiana. Growing up, he watched the UFC since its first event in 1993, and fell in love with the sport of mixed martial arts. Riley competed in boxing, winning a Golden Gloves Championship, and also competed in wrestling for three years at Tell City High School. [3] [4]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Riley made his professional debut in 1997 at the age of 16 for the HOOKnSHOOT organization. He received his first career loss in his second fight via kneebar, and then won ten consecutive fights. Riley then lost two consecutive fights against future UFC veterans Yves Edwards and Falaniko Vitale.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Riley made his UFC debut against future EliteXC Middleweight Champion and UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler at UFC 37. Riley lost the fight via unanimous decision. Four years later, he fought again for the organization against Spencer Fisher at UFC Fight Night 3, and lost via TKO.

Pride Fighting Championships, BodogFIGHT, and the IFL

Riley made his PRIDE debut at PRIDE Bushido 7 against Michihiro Omigawa, who was making his mixed martial arts debut. Riley was successful in his first and only fight with the Japanese organization, winning via head kick knockout in the first round.

Riley then participated in two bouts for the BodogFIGHT organization. His first fight was in Costa Rica, which he won via armbar and then fought against future Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez, but lost via knockout.

In Riley's next fight, he debuted in the International Fight League against Ryan Schultz, who was the last IFL Lightweight Champion. Riley lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Return to the UFC

Riley returned to the UFC on November 15, 2008 at UFC 91 against Jorge Gurgel. Aaron beat Gurgel by unanimous decision, winning a $60,000 Fight of the Night honor award. [5]

Riley next faced TUF 8 cast member Shane Nelson at UFC 96, losing via controversial first round TKO.

A rematch with Nelson was scheduled immediately, for UFC 101, which Riley won via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

At UFC 105 he was defeated by TUF winner Ross Pearson via TKO in the second round after a flying knee by Pearson opened up several cuts on Riley's face. Doctors viewed the cuts on Riley's face, and came to the conclusion that he was unable to continue.

Riley then rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Joe Brammer on May 29, 2010 at UFC 114.

Riley was expected to face UFC newcomer Pat Audinwood on September 25, 2010 at UFC 119, but Riley was forced from the card with an injury and replaced by Thiago Tavares. [6]

Riley was defeated by Tony Ferguson on September 24, 2011 at UFC 135. While the fight was competitive early, Ferguson landed a strong left uppercut, and Ferguson dominated the remaining two minutes of the round. Immediately after the end of the first round, Riley told his corner that his jaw was broken. The fight was declared a TKO victory for Ferguson, as ringside doctors would not allow Riley to continue. [7] Riley had previously suffered a broken jaw when he fought Spencer Fisher at UFC Fight Night 3. [8]

Riley was expected to face Cody McKenzie on May 15, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier. [9] However, Riley was pulled from the event and replaced by promotional newcomer Marcus LeVesseur. [10]

After nearly two years away from the sport, Riley returned to face Justin Salas on July 27, 2013 at UFC on Fox 8. [11] He lost the back-and-forth fight by split decision. He retired from MMA following his loss to Salas. [12]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
45 matches30 wins14 losses
By knockout107
By submission92
By decision115
Draws1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss30–14–1 Justin Salas Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga July 27, 201335:00 Seattle, Washington, United States
Loss30–13–1 Tony Ferguson TKO (corner stoppage) UFC 135 September 24, 201115:00 Denver, Colorado, United States
Win30–12–1Joe BrammerDecision (unanimous) UFC 114 May 29, 201035:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss29–12–1 Ross Pearson TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC 105 November 14, 200924:34 Manchester, England
Win29–11–1 Shane Nelson Decision (unanimous) UFC 101 August 8, 200935:00 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Loss28–11–1 Shane Nelson TKO (punches) UFC 96 March 7, 200910:44 Columbus, Ohio, United States
Win28–10–1 Jorge Gurgel Decision (unanimous) UFC 91 November 15, 200835:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFight of the Night
Win27–10–1Steve ClaveauDecision (unanimous)Xtreme MMA 5September 13, 200835:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win26–10–1Thiago MellerDecision (unanimous)UWC: InvasionApril 26, 200835:00 Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Loss25–10–1 Ryan Schultz Decision (unanimous)IFL: 2007 Team Championship FinalSeptember 20, 200734:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Loss25–9–1 Eddie Alvarez KO (punches)BodogFIGHT: USA vs RussiaDecember 2, 200611:05 Vancouver, British Columbia, CanadaFor BodogFIGHT Welterweight Championship
Win25–8–1Darrell SmithSubmission (armbar)BodogFIGHT: To the Brink of WarAugust 22, 200622:40 Costa Rica
Loss25–8–1 Spencer Fisher TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC Fight Night 3 January 16, 200615:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win24–7–1 Michihiro Omigawa KO (head kick) PRIDE Bushido 7 May 22, 200516:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win23–7–1Andrew ChappelleDecisionHOOKnSHOOT: Arnold ClassicMarch 4, 200535:00 Columbus, Ohio, United States
Win22–7–1Maicon AlarcaoTKO (injury)AFC: Brazil 1August 28, 200414:10 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win21–7–1Nuri ShakirDecision (unanimous)HOOKnSHOOT: LiveMarch 27, 200435:00 Evansville, Indiana, United States
Loss20–7–1 Sam Morgan Submission (armbar)Shooto USA – Warrior Spirit: EvolutionNovember 14, 200312:41 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win20–6–1Cedric MarksSubmission (armbar)Combate ExtremoAugust 30, 200311:40 New Mexico
Win19–6–1Nick GilardiTKO (submission to punches)PPKA: Ultimate Fight NightJune 28, 200321:49 Yakima, Washington, United States
Loss18–6–1 Chris Lytle KO (punch)HOOKnSHOOT: Boot Camp 1.1March 8, 200313:31 Evansville, Indiana, United States
Win18–5–1Alexandre BarrosDecision (unanimous)HOOKnSHOOT: Absolute Fighting Championships 1December 13, 200235:00 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Loss17–5–1 Robbie Lawler Decision (unanimous) UFC 37 May 10, 200235:00 Bossier City, Louisiana, United States
Win17–4–1Mike WillusTKO (strikes)HOOKnSHOOT: Kings 1November 17, 20011N/A Evansville, Indiana, United States
Loss16–4–1 Yves Edwards Decision (unanimous)HOOKnSHOOT: ShowdownJuly 14, 200135:00 Evansville, Indiana, United States
Win16–3–1Earl ThompsonSubmission (armbar)UFCF: War 2001April 21, 200112:08 Kirkland, Washington, United States
Win15–3–1 Steve Berger Decision (unanimous)HOOKnSHOOT: TriumphAugust 19, 200035:00 Evansville, Indiana, United States
Win14–3–1Aaron StreglesKO (punches)Talon Challenge 2July 14, 20001N/A Harlingen, Texas, United States
Win13–3–1Jeremy BennettKO (punches)HOOKnSHOOT: Double Fury 1March 17, 20001N/AUnited States
Win12–3–1Colin O'RourkeDecision (majority)WEF 8: Goin' PlatinumJanuary 15, 200034:00 Rome, Georgia, United States
Loss11–3–1 Falaniko Vitale TKO (punches)RITC 2: Marching of the WarriorsOctober 15, 199917:06 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Loss11–2–1 Yves Edwards DecisionHOOKnSHOOT: Texas HeatOctober 2, 1999120:00 Texas, United States
Win11–1–1Joe MeritSubmission (armbar)Lionheart InvitationalSeptember 1, 199912:24 Georgia, United States
Draw10–1–1CJ FernandesDrawSubmission Fighting Championships 8August 7, 1999115:00 Belleville, Illinois, United States
Win10–1Billy JohnsonTKO (submission to punches)HOOKnSHOOT: BreakoutJuly 24, 199912:10 Evansville, Indiana, United States
Win9–1Rob TallackTKO (punches)Kakidamisi 1: Samurai ChallengeJuly 11, 199912:52United States
Win8–1Tony ApponteTKO (submission to punches)Extreme ShootoutJune 25, 199917:31 McAllen, Texas, United States
Win7–1James JulianSubmission (armbar)Submission Fighting Championships 6April 30, 19991N/A O'Fallon, Illinois, United States
Win6–1Shane GarrettDecision (unanimous)HOOKnSHOOT: HorizonMarch 20, 1999120:00 Evansville, Indiana, United States
Win5–1Phil StroffolinoTKO (submission to punches)HOOKnSHOOT: EruptionNovember 7, 199813:27 Evansville, Indiana, United States
Win4–1Brian BoclairSubmission (armbar)HOOKnSHOOT: QuestAugust 14, 199811:35United States
Win3–1Chris MounceSubmission (keylock)HOOKnSHOOT: N-VisionJune 12, 1998N/AN/AUnited States
Win2–1Billy JohnsonSubmission (armbar)HOOKnSHOOT: EliteSeptember 20, 199715:08 Indiana, United States
Loss1–1Mario RobertoSubmission (kneebar)HOOKnSHOOT: When Worlds CollideJuly 18, 1997N/AN/AUnited States
Win1–0Chris MalgieriSubmission (heel hook)HOOKnSHOOT: When Worlds CollideJuly 18, 1997N/AN/AUnited States

References

  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-12-20. Retrieved 2013-07-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Aaron Riley". 14 September 2018.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-12-20. Retrieved 2013-07-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Aaron Riley". 14 September 2018.
  5. 1 2 Staff (2008-11-16). "UFC 91 bonuses: Riley, Gurgel, Stephens and Hazelett each earn $60K". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2025-03-14.
  6. "Aaron Riley out, Thiago Tavares in against Pat Audinwood at UFC 119". mmajunkie.com. August 17, 2010. Archived from the original on July 11, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2010.
  7. Stupp, Dann. "UFC 135 preliminary-card results: Ferguson breaks Riley's jaw, Boetsch cruises". MMAJunkie.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  8. "TITLE SHOT AND BODOG A FIT FOR AARON RILEY". mmaweekly.com. 30 November 2006. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  9. "Aaron Riley vs. Cody McKenzie On Tap For UFC on FUEL TV 3". themmanews.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
  10. "Marcus LeVesseur replaces Aaron Riley, meets Cody McKenzie at UFC on FUEL TV 3". MMAjunkie.com. April 24, 2012. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
  11. Staff (April 30, 2013). "Aaron Riley vs. Justin Salas added to July's UFC on FOX 8 event". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
  12. MMAjunkie.com Staff (July 28, 2013). "Nine-time UFC veteran Aaron Riley retires following UFC on FOX 8 loss". mmajunkie.com.
  13. Gerbasi, Thomas (2011-10-17). UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. New York: DK. p. 194. ISBN   978-0756683610.