Joe Riggs

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Joe Riggs
JoeRiggs.png
Born (1982-09-23) September 23, 1982 (age 41)
Sanford, Maine, United States
Other namesDiesel
Nationality American
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Division Heavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Middleweight
Welterweight
Reach70 in (178 cm)
Fighting out of Phoenix, Arizona, United States
TeamGrace Fighting Systems
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu [1]
Years active2001–present
Professional boxing record
Total1
Losses1
Mixed martial arts record
Total70
Wins49
By knockout37
By submission7
By decision4
By disqualification1
Losses18
By knockout9
By submission6
By decision3
Draws1
No contests2
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Joseph Jonathan Riggs (born September 23, 1982) is an American professional bare-knuckle boxer and former mixed martial artist who is currently signed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2001, Riggs formerly competed for the UFC, WEC, Strikeforce, Bellator, ProElite, M-1 Global, and King of the Cage. Riggs is the former WEC Middleweight Champion.

Contents

Background

Born in Sanford, Maine, and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Riggs began boxing as a child with his father. Although Riggs is right handed, he was encouraged by his boxing coach to fight southpaw, making his power hand his left hand. [2] Riggs began wrestling at Cactus High School in Glendale, Arizona. He followed in the footsteps of his hero, Randy Couture, and became an All-American twice, at Glendale Community College (Arizona), where he studied to get a Criminal Justice degree. Riggs has trained at Arizona Combat Sports under the Lally brothers, MMA Lab under John Crouch and TNT Training Center under Scott Tannenbaum.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Riggs made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2001 and compiled a record of 13–3 with one no contest before being signed by the WEC.

UFC and WEC

Riggs made his WEC debut at WEC 9 against Alex Stiebling, in what was also his debut at Light Heavyweight. Riggs lost via triangle choke submission in the second round. But after the fight people started to take notice of Riggs. Although he lost the fight, he battered Stiebling so badly that after the fight he had to be helped out of the cage and taken to a hospital. Reports said that almost everyone at ring side had Stiebling's blood on both them and their paperwork. The promoter Scott Adams said the fight could and should have been stopped at several points in the fight, leading it to be known as one of the most brutal fights in WEC history. After that he went down to middle weight to fight Isidro Gonzalez in the WEC. Where Riggs finished the fight early in the 1st Round by TKO. After his impressive victory over Gonzalez the WEC gave him a shot at the vacant Middleweight Title against the undefeated Rob Kimmons. Riggs put on a very impressive performance by stopping Kimmons early in the 1st round, earning him the WEC world title, which he held for the next 2 years.

Riggs' dream of fighting in the UFC materialized in 2004, in a winning bout against Canadian fighter Joe Doerksen. After that Riggs moved down to Welterweight to fight veteran Chris Lytle. Riggs went on to win the fight by 2nd-round TKO. And was the 1st and only man to ever stop the very popular battler Chris Lytle. Then after being named the UFCs number 1 Welter Weight contender. Riggs received his shot at the UFC Welterweight Championship at UFC 56 in November 2005 against Matt Hughes. He was originally supposed to face the winner of the upcoming title fight. But got called to fight just a month after the defeating Lytle in UFC 55 to face long time champion Hughes for the UFC Welter Weight title.

Originally, the title shot was offered to Karo Parisyan, who had to withdraw due to a torn hamstring. When Riggs was contacted to take Parisyan's place he jumped at the chance, despite having fought at UFC 55 just a month earlier. However, Riggs did not make the required weight and the fight was declared a non-title event, due to Hughes allowing Riggs to fight him (if a fighter does not make weight for a match, the match may still take place if their opponent allows it). Despite his efforts, Riggs could not mount a significant challenge; Hughes took him down and submitted him with a kimura from half-guard just minutes into the first round of the fight.

Following his loss to Hughes, Riggs rebounded to win against future longtime Strikeforce Welterweight Champion, Nick Diaz via decision at UFC 57 . In the hospital room after the fight, Diaz and Riggs got into a physical altercation where they had to be separated by police.

Riggs then moved up to Middleweight to face The Ultimate Fighter alumnus Mike Swick. Early in the fight Riggs was caught in a guillotine choke and tapped out. Riggs then fought The Ultimate Fighter 2's Jason Von Flue, submitting him with a triangle choke.

Riggs' last UFC bout was on December 13, 2006, against Welterweight contender Diego Sanchez at UFC Fight Night 7. Riggs lost the fight due to knockout from a hook followed by a knee in 1:45 of the first round.

Following the fight with Sanchez, Riggs chose to go to the WEC and compete for the vacant WEC Middleweight Championship, but had to pull out of the fight the day before because of a recurring back injury. [3]

Strikeforce

Riggs lost to Cory Devela via submission in his Strikeforce debut at Strikeforce: At The Dome.

Riggs was to return to action on Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson, facing Jiujitsu specialist Luke Stewart. Riggs stepped in as a late replacement for Shonie Carter, who was injured in training. The fight was to be contested at a catchweight of 178 pounds. [4] However, he was denied licensure by the California State Athletic Commission after disclosing his recent use of prescription medication during the licensing process. Riggs lost to Kazuo Misaki at Strikeforce at the Playboy Mansion via controversial stoppage on September 20, 2008.

Riggs won his next fight at Strikeforce: Destruction on November 21, 2008, against Luke Stewart by TKO (Punches) in 2nd round 2:05. Riggs broke his hand throwing the first punch of the bout, but managed to rally in the second round, breaking Stewart's nose in the process. [5]

Riggs next fought on the Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields card from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO on June 6, 2009, against Phil "The New York Badass" Baroni in a three-round welterweight bout that won him the interim Strike Force Welter Weight title and that was broadcast live on the Showtime cable network. In a performance that featured his versatile standup game, including several flying knees, Riggs won a unanimous decision over Baroni.

In his next fight, Riggs faced Jay Hieron on January 30, 2010, at Strikeforce: Miami. [6] Riggs lost the fight via unanimous decision.

In the main event of Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs. Taylor, Riggs faced up and coming Middleweight Louis Taylor. "Diesel" won by submission due to strikes in the third round.

On December 9, 2010, it was announced that Riggs has parted ways with Strikeforce. [7]

Bellator

About a month later, on January 10, 2011, Riggs signed with Bellator to fight in its Middleweight division. [8] Riggs made his Bellator debut against Season 2 Middleweight Tournament Finalist Bryan Baker at Bellator 43. After a back and forth fight, Baker knocked Riggs out with a left hook late in the second round.

Independent promotions

Three months after his knockout loss to Baker at Bellator 43, In a rematch from their bout in 2004 Riggs fought The Ultimate Fighter 3 winner and fellow UFC veteran Kendall Grove. Grove quickly defeated Riggs by submission due to a guillotine choke, Thus avenging his previous loss to Riggs. For the first time in his ten-year career as a mixed martial artist Riggs has lost three straight fights.

After the loss to Grove he went on a five-fight win streak.

Fight Master: Bellator MMA

On May 6, 2013, it was announced that Riggs would be featured as a participant on Bellator's reality TV show Fight Master: Bellator MMA, competing as a Welterweight. [9]

In his first fight to get into the house, Riggs defeated UK fighter Rob Mills via heel hook submission in the first round and subsequently chose to join Greg Jackson's team. In the preliminary round, Riggs defeated Eric Scallan via unanimous decision and went on to the quarterfinal round where he defeated Evan Cutts via unanimous decision. In the semifinal round, Riggs defeated number one seed Cole Williams in a three-round split decision victory. He made it to the tournament finals with Mike Bronzoulis.

Riggs was set to face Mike Bronzoulis in the Fight Master Finale on September 7, 2013, at Bellator 98. However, on September 3, it was revealed Riggs has sustained a significant eye injury and the bout was postponed indefinitely. [10] The bout took place on November 2, 2013, at Bellator 106. Riggs won the fight via unanimous decision to become the first winner of Fight Master.

Return to UFC

After becoming the first winner of Fight Master, Riggs was expected to return to UFC and face Paulo Thiago at UFC Fight Night 51 on September 13, 2014, replacing an injured Mike Rhodes. [11] However, Riggs was forced to pull out of the fight after accidentally shooting himself in the hand and leg while cleaning a pistol at his home. [12]

Riggs made his eventual return against Ben Saunders at UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic on December 13, 2014, at US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. [13] The fight ended early in the first round by TKO due to injury when Riggs hurt his neck on a take down and tapped out shortly thereafter. [14] [15]

Joe Riggs faced Patrick Côté on April 25, 2015, at UFC 186. [16] Riggs lost the back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision. [17]

Riggs was expected to face Uriah Hall in a middleweight bout on August 8, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 73. [18] However, Riggs pulled out of the fight in late July, citing an injury, and was replaced by promotional newcomer Oluwale Bamgbose. [19]

Following a quick recovery, Riggs faced Ron Stallings on September 5, 2015, at UFC 191. [20] Riggs won the bout via disqualification after Stallings landed an illegal upkick, which rendered Riggs unable to continue. [21]

Riggs faced Chris Camozzi on February 21, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 83. [22] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round due a series of knees by Camozzi, which broke the right forearm of Riggs. [23] On April 13, Riggs was released from the promotion. [24]

Post UFC

In his first bout post his second UFC release, Riggs achieved a catchweight victory over Cody McKenzie in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. They continued their winning streak with victories over Billy Martin, Jerome Jones, Dmitry Samoilov, and Shonie Carter, ultimately winning the vacant Fight Night Light Heavyweight Championship on September 9, 2017. Riggs then went on to win against Oleg Olenichev and Erick Lozano, securing the KOP Middleweight Championship on February 24, 2018. After a draw against Borys Polezhai, Riggs faced a loss against Artem Frolov on June 1, 2018, for the M-1 Middleweight Championship. The fighter bounced back with a win over Dan Yates on January 4, 2019, before their most recent fight against George Sullivan was overturned due to a positive test for PEDs.

Bare-knuckle boxing

BKB

Riggs recently started competing in Bare Knuckle Boxing matches under the UK based BKB promotion. He won a championship fight against Christian “Fat Boy“ Evans, an experienced bare knuckle fighter who had also been featured in the documentary "Bare Knuckle Fight Club" from Channel 4 news, [25] by unanimous decision at BKB 4. [26] [ deprecated source ] Riggs was deducted 1 point in the first round for shooting for a take-down and taking his opponent to the mat, and was warned again in the same round after throwing an illegal elbow. [27]

BKFC

Riggs signed with the BKFC in 2018 and made his promotional debut against Brok Weaver at BKFC 3: The Takeover on October 20, 2018. He won the bout via unanimous decision. [28]

He made his sophomore appearance in the promotion against Heriberto Tovar at BKFC 4 on February 2, 2019. He won the fight via unanimous decision. [29]

He then faced Walber Brito de Barros at BKFC 6 on June 22, 2019. The bout was ruled a unanimous draw. [30]

Riggs was expected to headline BKFC 10 against fellow UFC veteran Héctor Lombard in February 2020. [31] However, in January, the company announced that Lombard will be facing David Mundell, with no further information. [32]

Riggs then faced Héctor Lombard for the inaugural BKFC Cruiserweight Championship at BKFC 18 on June 26, 2021. He lost the fight via fourth-round technical knockout. [33]

Riggs faced Melvin Guillard at BKFC Fight Night: Montana on October 9, 2021. [34] He won the fight via first-minute knockout. [35]

Personal life

Joe and his wife had a son who died shortly after birth. [36] They have another son. [37] Joe also has a daughter named Jadin who is 3 years younger than his son. [38]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
70 matches49 wins18 losses
By knockout379
By submission76
By decision43
By disqualification10
Draws1
No contests2
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
NC49–18–1 (2) George Sullivan NC (overturned)Ring of Combat 70November 23, 201932:08 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United StatesOriginally a TKO stoppage victory for Riggs, overturned after Riggs tested positive for PEDs.
Win49–18–1 (1)Dan YatesTKO (submission to punches)KOP 63January 4, 201913:31 Muskegon, Michigan, United States
Loss48–18–1 (1)Artem FrolovTKO (knee injury) M-1 Challenge 93: Shlemenko vs. Silva June 1, 201820:46 Chelyabinsk, RussiaFor the M-1 Middleweight Championship.
Draw48–17–1 (1)Borys PolezhaiDraw (split)M-1 Challenge 90: Kunchenko vs. ButenkoMarch 30, 201835:00 St. Petersburg, Russia
Win48–17 (1)Erick LozanoTKO (punches)KOP 60February 24, 20182N/A Grand Rapids, Michigan, United StatesWon the KOP Middleweight Championship.
Win47–17 (1)Oleg OlenichevTKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 84: Kunchenko vs. Romanov October 27, 201733:21 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win46–17 (1) Shonie Carter TKO (punches)Z Promotions: Fight Night Medicine Hat 4September 9, 201724:54 Medicine Hat, Alberta, CanadaWon vacant Fight Night Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win45–17 (1)Dmitry SamoilovTKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 81: Battle in the Mountains 6 July 22, 201731:24 Nazran, Ingushetia, Russia
Win44–17 (1)Jerome JonesTKO (punches)WXC 68April 8, 201710:27 Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States
Win43–17–(1)Billy MartinTKO (punches)ICF 27: The Last StandApril 8, 201711:48 Great Falls, Montana, United States
Win42–17 (1) Cody McKenzie TKO (submission to punches)Z Promotions: Fight Night Medicine Hat 2October 28, 201611:51 Medicine Hat, Alberta, CanadaCatchweight (180 lbs) bout.
Loss41–17 (1) Chris Camozzi TKO (knees) UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Cowboy February 21, 201610:26 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Win41–16 (1) Ron Stallings DQ (illegal upkick) UFC 191 September 5, 201522:28 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesReturn to Middleweight.
Loss40–16 (1) Patrick Côté Decision (unanimous) UFC 186 April 25, 201535:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Loss40–15 (1) Ben Saunders TKO (neck injury) UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic December 13, 201410:57 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win40–14 (1) Mike Bronzoulis Decision (unanimous) Bellator 106 November 2, 201335:00 Long Beach, California, United StatesWon Fight Master: Bellator MMA Season One.
Win39–14 (1)Cris LeyvaTKO (punches)RITC 164November 16, 201212:28 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win38–14 (1)Josh CavanKO (punches)Made For War 1October 13, 201214:16 Castle Rock, Colorado, United StatesReturn to Welterweight.
Win37–14 (1)Shane JohnsonKO (punch)RITC 160June 22, 201222:33 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win36–14 (1) Aaron Brink Submission (armbar)RITC 159May 11, 201221:18 Chandler, Arizona, United StatesLight Heavyweight bout.
Win35–14 (1) Shannon Ritch TKO (punches)Duel for DominationNovember 26, 201110:56 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss34–14 (1) Kendall Grove Submission (guillotine choke)ProElite 1August 27, 201110:59 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Loss34–13 (1) Bryan Baker KO (punch) Bellator 43 May 7, 201123:53 Newkirk, Oklahoma, United StatesReturn to Middleweight.
Loss34–12 (1) Jordan Mein TKO (punches)Wreck MMA: Strong & ProudJanuary 28, 201124:30 Gatineau, Quebec, CanadaCatchweight (184 lbs) bout. Riggs missed weight
Win34–11 (1)Trent ThorneTKO (elbows)KOTC: 48November 21, 201013:56 Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaMiddleweight bout.
Win33–11 (1) Louis Taylor TKO (submission to punches) Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs. Taylor August 13, 201032:07 Phoenix, Arizona, United StatesCatchweight (182 lbs) bout.
Loss32–11 (1) Jay Hieron Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Miami January 30, 201035:00 Sunrise, Florida, United States
Win32–10 (1)Nick AlmenTKO (submission to punches and elbows)Ironman MMA 1December 11, 200911:51 Welch, Minnesota, United States
Win31–10 (1)David BarnesTKO (punches)RITC 138December 4, 200910:57 Mesa, Arizona, United States
Win30–10 (1) Phil Baroni Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields June 6, 200935:00 St. Louis, Missouri, United StatesReturn to Welterweight.
Win29–10 (1) Luke Stewart TKO (punches) Strikeforce: Destruction November 21, 200822:05 San Jose, California, United StatesCatchweight (178 lbs) bout.
Loss28–10 (1) Kazuo Misaki TKO (punches) Strikeforce: At The Mansion II September 20, 200822:29 Beverly Hills, California, United States
Win28–9 (1)Matt DempseySubmission (rear-naked choke)RITC 112July 26, 200821:47 Prescott, Arizona, United States
Loss27–9 (1) Cory Devela TKO (slam) Strikeforce: At The Dome February 23, 200811:22 Tacoma, Washington, United States
Win27–8 (1) Eugene Jackson KO (punches) Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion September 29, 200713:56 Beverly Hills, California, United States
Win26–8 (1)Dan ChambersSubmission (triangle choke)Hardcore Championship Fighting: Unfinished BusinessJuly 21, 200713:25 Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaMiddleweight bout.
Loss25–8 (1) Diego Sanchez KO (knee) UFC Fight Night: Sanchez vs. Riggs December 13, 200611:45 San Diego, California, United StatesSanchez tested positive for marijuana.
Win25–7 (1) Jason Von Flue Submission (triangle choke) UFC Fight Night 6 August 17, 200612:01 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesSubmission of the Night.
Loss24–7 (1) Mike Swick Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 60 May 27, 200612:19 Los Angeles, California, United StatesMiddleweight bout.
Win24–6 (1) Nick Diaz Decision (unanimous) UFC 57 February 4, 200635:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss23–6 (1) Matt Hughes Submission (kimura) UFC 56 November 19, 200513:28 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesNon-title bout; Riggs missed weight (172 lb).
Win23–5 (1) Chris Lytle TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC 55 October 7, 200522:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United StatesWelterweight debut.
Win22–5 (1) Rob Kimmons TKO (submission to punches) WEC 15 May 19, 200511:24 Lemoore, California, United StatesWon the vacant WEC Middleweight Championship.
Loss21–5 (1) Ivan Salaverry Submission (triangle choke) UFC 52 April 16, 200512:42 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win21–4 (1)Thomas GilSubmission (armbar)RITC 66November 13, 200412:05 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win20–4 (1)Isidro GonzalezTKO (punches and elbows) WEC 12 October 21, 200411:50 Lemoore, California, United States
Win19–4 (1) Joe Doerksen TKO (submission to elbows) UFC 49 August 21, 200423:37 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win18–4 (1)Shane JohnsonKO (punches)XCF 5: EvolutionMay 28, 20041N/A Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win17–4 (1) Kendall Grove KO (elbows)Rumble on the Rock 5May 7, 200413:09 Honolulu, Hawaii, United StatesMiddleweight debut.
Win16–4 (1) Dave Vitkay KO (punches)ICC: Trials 2April 30, 20041N/A Minnesota, United States
Win15–4 (1)John RenkenKO (punch)RITC 60: 'The Saint' Goes Marching InMarch 20, 200410:28 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win14–4 (1)Chris KieverKO (punch)IFC: Battleground TahoeJanuary 31, 200410:49 Lake Tahoe, Nevada, United States
Loss13–4 (1) Alex Stiebling Submission (triangle choke) WEC 9 January 16, 200421:54 Lemoore, California, United StatesLight Heavyweight debut.
Win13–3 (1)Cory TimmermanSubmission (armbar)RITC 57: Tucson RevisitedDecember 13, 200311:11 Tucson, Arizona, United States
Win12–3 (1)Frank AlcalaTKO (punches)IFC: Rumble on the RioDecember 6, 200310:31 Hidalgo, Texas, United States
NC11–3 (1)Andy MontanaNo ContestRITC 53: The Beat Goes OnSeptember 13, 2003N/AN/A Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win11–3Greg WikanTKO (corner stoppage)ECS: EvolutionJuly 19, 200335:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win10–3Will HammondTKO (punches)Art of War 2June 21, 20031N/A Kalispell, Montana, United States
Loss9–3 Travis Fulton Submission (choke)RITC 45: FinallyMarch 1, 200310:48 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win9–2 Herb Dean TKO (submission to punches)RITC 43: The MatchJanuary 18, 200310:52 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss8–2 Wesley Correira KO (knee and punch)Rumble on the Rock 1December 28, 200222:07 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win8–1Lemuel VincentTKO (punches)RITC 42: Road TripDecember 7, 200210:23 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win7–1Allan SullivanSubmission (armbar)RITC 39: Bring ItOctober 19, 200231:57 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win6–1Joe PardoDecision (unanimous)RITC 38: Let's RollSeptember 7, 200233:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win5–1Jess MortonTKO (retirement)RITC 36: The RematchJune 22, 200213:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win4–1Andy MontanaTKO (submission to punches)RITC 35: This Time It's PersonalMay 3, 200211:24 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss3–1 Homer Moore Decision (unanimous)RITC 34March 15, 200233:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win3–0Joey VigueriaTKO (submission to punches)RITC 33: The Big ShowFebruary 2, 200212:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win2–0Justin LyonTKO (submission to punches)RITC 31November 7, 200110:33 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win1–0Ryan RoathTKO (submission to punches)RITC 30: Soaring to New HeightsSeptember 26, 200112:32 Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win4–0Cole WilliamsDecision (split) Fight Master: Bellator MMA August 29, 201335:00 New Orleans, Louisiana, United StatesSemifinal bout.
Win3–0Evan CuttsDecision (unanimous) Fight Master: Bellator MMA August 22, 201325:00 New Orleans, Louisiana, United StatesQuarterfinal bout.
Win2–0Eric ScanlanDecision (unanimous) Fight Master: Bellator MMA July 31, 201325:00 New Orleans, Louisiana, United StatesPreliminary bout.
Win1–0Rob MillsSubmission (heel hook) Fight Master: Bellator MMA July 10, 201314:31 New Orleans, Louisiana, United StatesElimination bout.

Professional boxing record

1 fight0 wins1 loss
By knockout01
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
1Los0–1 Markus Perez TKO3 (4), 1:19 Apr 1, 2023 Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.

Bare-knuckle boxing record

Professional record breakdown
7 matches4 wins2 losses
By knockout12
By decision30
Draws1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss4–2–1 Lorenzo Hunt KO (punches) BKFC 24 April 30, 202221:12 Great Falls, Montana, USFor the BKFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win4–1–1 Melvin Guillard KO (punch) BKFC Fight Night: Montana October 9, 202110:59 Billings, Montana, United StatesKnockout of the Year (2022).
Loss3–1–1 Héctor Lombard TKO (doctor stoppage) BKFC 18 June 26, 202141:07 Miami, Florida, USFor the inaugural BKFC Cruiserweight Championship.
Draw3–0–1Walber BarrosDraw (unanimous) BKFC 6: Malignaggi vs. Lobov June 22, 201952:00 Tampa, Florida, US
Win3–0Heriberto TovarDecision (unanimous) BKFC 4: USA vs. Mexico February 2, 201952:00 Cancun, Mexico
Win2–0 Brok Weaver Decision (unanimous) BKFC 3: The Takeover October 20, 201852:00 Biloxi, Mississippi, US
Win1–0Christian EvansDecision (unanimous)BKB 4February 201752:00 London, England Won the BKB Light Heavyweight World Championship [40]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Joe Riggs - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  2. ↑ Knucklepit.com (2005). "Joe Riggs". The Middleweight Casting a Heavyweight Shadow. Archived from the original on 2006-05-18. Retrieved 2006-06-09.
  3. ↑ "Riggs Pulls Out of WEC Fight". MMA on Tap.
  4. ↑ James Iannotti (19 June 2008). "Joe Riggs vs Luke Stewart Strikeforce fight booked with Shonie Carter hurt". MMAmania.
  5. ↑ "Riggs Denied Licensure for Strikeforce - Pictures". Sherdog.
  6. ↑ "Joe Riggs vs Jay Hieron at Strikeforce: 'Miami' on Jan. 30". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
  7. ↑ Anton Tabuena (9 December 2010). "Strikeforce Parts Ways With Joey Villasenor and Joe Riggs". Bloody Elbow.
  8. ↑ Dann Stupp. "Bellator signs veteran middleweight Joe Riggs". MMAjunkie.
  9. ↑ "'Fight Master: Bellator MMA' cast unveiled with Riggs, Lozano and 30 others". MMA Junkie. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Saturday's 'Fight Master' finale bout postponed". Archived from the original on 2013-11-04.
  11. ↑ "Report: Joe Riggs returns to UFC, set to face Paulo Thiago at UFN 51". bloodyelbow.com. July 24, 2014.
  12. ↑ Dann Stupp and Steven Marrocco (2014-07-29). "Joe Riggs out of UFC Fight Night 51 after injury from accidental shooting". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  13. ↑ "Joe Riggs meets Ben Saunders at UFC on FOX 13 in Phoenix MMAjunkie". Matt Erickson. September 22, 2014.
  14. ↑ Dave Doyle (2014-12-13). "UFC on FOX 13 results: Fluke injury gives Ben Saunders fast win over Joe Riggs". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2014-12-13.
  15. ↑ Staff (2014-12-13). "Joe Riggs feared he had severely injured neck prior to UFC on FOX 13 tap". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-12-13.
  16. ↑ Keith Grienke (January 17, 2015). "Title Fight & 5 Canadians Officially Announced for UFC Montreal". Top MMA News.
  17. ↑ Ben Fowlkes (2015-04-25). "UFC 186 results: Patrick Cote gets hometown win, takes decision from Joe Riggs". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-04-25.
  18. ↑ Staff (2015-07-03). "Uriah Hall vs. Joe Riggs booked for UFC Fight Night 73". themmareport.com. Retrieved 2015-07-03.
  19. ↑ Staff (2015-07-23). "UFC Fight Night 73 fight card lineup finalized following Uriah Hall and Dustin Ortiz receiving new opponents". themmareport.com. Retrieved 2015-07-23.
  20. ↑ Staff (2015-08-06). "UFC 191 adds Joe Riggs vs. Ron Stallings". themmareport.com. Retrieved 2015-08-06.
  21. ↑ Ben Fowlkes (2015-09-05). "UFC 191 results, highlights: On one good eye, Joe Riggs gets DQ win over Ron Stallings". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  22. ↑ Staff (2015-12-15). "Seven fights added to UFC Fight Night 82 in Pittsburgh". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  23. ↑ Brad Popkin (2016-02-21). "UFC Fight Night 83 results: Knees! Chris Camozzi finishes Joe Riggs with a flurry of clinch strikes at UFC Pittsburgh". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  24. ↑ Zane Simon (2016-04-13). "Noons and Riggs among latest fighters removed from UFC . After Riggs was recovered from the broken arm he took on Former Ultimate Fighter popular stand out Cody Mckenzie. Riggs earned a 1st Round TKO win. Shortly after that, Riggs went to fight in a Bare Knuckle Boxing fight. His very 1st fight he fought for the Bare Knuckle Light Heavyweight World Title. Riggs Won the 5 Round title fight via unanimous decision. Where he surprised the U.K crowd by dominating the fight and scoring 2 knockdown in the fight. sroster". bloodyelbow.com.
  25. ↑ "10 Times MMA Stars Fought In Bare Knuckle Boxing". April 14, 2019.
  26. ↑ Mills, George (February 8, 2017). "Ex-UFC star wins UK bareknuckle boxing title fight after dishing out 'savage ass kicking'". Dailystar.co.uk.
  27. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "JOE RIGGS VS CHRISTIAN EVANS - BKB4 LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BARE KNUCKLE TITLE FIGHT * EXCLUSIVE *". YouTube .
  28. ↑ Dan Hiergesell (October 20, 2018). "Bare Knuckle FC 3 live results stream, highlights for 'Adams vs Shewmaker' in Biloxi". mmamania.com.
  29. ↑ Tom Taylor (February 3, 2019). "BKFC 4 results: Leonard Garcia KOs Julian Lane, Bec Rawlings and Chris Lytle pick up wins". bjpenn.com.
  30. ↑ Dave Doyle (June 23, 2019). "Bare Knuckle FC 6 results: Artem Lobov rallies late for decision win over Paulie Malignaggi". MMAjunkie.com .
  31. ↑ Nolan King (December 16, 2019). "Hector Lombard vs. Joe Riggs to headline BKFC 10 in February". mmajunkie.com.
  32. ↑ Nolan King (January 20, 2020). "Hector Lombard gets new BKFC 10 opponent after Joe Riggs drops out". mmajunkie.com.
  33. ↑ Damon Martin (June 27, 2021). "BKFC 18 video: Hector Lombard gets in post-fight brawl after winning title in bizarre stoppage". mmafighting.com.
  34. ↑ Mike Heck (September 16, 2021). "Taylor Starling vs. Randine Elkholm, Joe Riggs vs. Melvin Guillard set for BKFC Montana in October". mmafighting.com.
  35. ↑ Matthew Wells (October 9, 2021). "BKFC Fight Night Montana results: Joe Riggs knocks out Melvin Guillard in 59 seconds". MMAjunkie.com .
  36. ↑ "Interview with Joe where he talks about the death of his son".
  37. ↑ The eight-time UFC veteran has just begun to elevate his training after welcoming the birth of his newborn son, Joseph Diesel Riggs, June 28.
  38. ↑ Hunt, Loretta. "Loretta Hunt: Riggs hoping to survive Bellator debut after surviving much more". Sports Illustrated.
  39. ↑ "ZP Vacant Light Heavyweight Championship". tapology.com. 9 September 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  40. ↑ Oswald, Brian. "Former UFC Fighters Now Bare-Knuckle Boxing". Bleacher Report.
Awards and achievementsVacant
Title last held by
Chris Leben 		2nd WEC Middleweight Champion
May 19, 2005 – December, 2006		Vacant
Title next held by
Paulo Filho
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