Ricco Rodriguez

Last updated

Ricco Rodriguez
FFC 10 in Skopje.jpg
Rodriguez shortly after his win against Tomaz Simonic on May 24, 2013
Born (1977-08-19) August 19, 1977 (age 46)
San Jose, California, U.S. [1]
Other namesSuave
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight245 lb (111 kg; 17 st 7 lb)
Division Heavyweight
Super Heavyweight
Reach77 in (196 cm)
Style Brazilian Jiu jitsu, Boxing
Stance Southpaw
Fighting out of Staten Island, New York, U.S.
TeamAmerican Fight Club
Ricco Rodriguez Fighting [2]
RankThird degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Years active1999–2019
Professional boxing record
Total2
Wins1
By knockout1
Losses1
Mixed martial arts record
Total82
Wins54
By knockout17
By submission25
By decision12
Losses27
By knockout11
By decision16
No contests1
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing the Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Men's submission grappling
ADCC World Championship
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1998 Abu Dhabi +99kg
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1999 Abu Dhabi Absolute
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2000 Abu Dhabi +99kg
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
World Championship
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1999 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  Absolute
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1998 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  Absolute
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1998 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  +100kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1997 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  Absolute
Pan American Championship
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1998 California, USA  Absolute

Ricco Rodriguez (born August 19, 1977) is an American former mixed martial artist who competed in the heavyweight division. A professional competitor from 1999 to 2019, he competed for the UFC, PRIDE Fighting Championships, EliteXC, International Fight League, BAMMA, World Extreme Cagefighting, and Bellator. Ricco is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Mundials World Champion and also an ADCC World Champion. He is also the former King of the Cage World Heavyweight Champion.

Contents

Early life

Rodriguez was born in San Jose, California and grew up in the projects in Paterson, New Jersey. [3] Rodriguez wrestled at Tottenville High School while living in Staten Island, New York. He later moved to California and began training in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Rigan and Jean Jacques Machado. He competed and won many Jiu-Jitsu tournaments before moving on to mixed martial arts. [4]

Mixed martial arts career

In 1997, Ricco Rodriguez became one of the small group of Americans to win a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championship, taking the Blue Belt Absolute title. [5] He took gold in +99 kg in the first ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship in 1998, bronze in the Absolute (open weight) division in 1999 [6] and Silver in the +99 kg category in 2000. That same year Rodriguez began his MMA career with a win against Rocky Batastini. He won several of his first matches before losing to Bobby Hoffman at the Superbrawl 13 event in Hawaii. He later fought in the PRIDE Fighting Championship before moving on to the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Rodriguez's first UFC match was at UFC 32 against future UFC Heavyweight Champion and #1 ranked pound for pound fighter in the world Andrei Arlovski which he won by TKO. He was scheduled to fight Lion’s Den fighter and owner of one of the most vicious knockouts of the time Pete Williams at UFC 33, but the fight was postponed until UFC 34 due to an injury suffered by Williams during training.

Rodriguez went on to beat Williams, Jeff Monson (UFC 35) and Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (UFC 37) to earn a shot for the vacant heavyweight championship against future UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture at UFC 39 becoming the first person of Puerto Rican descent to win the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Rodriguez was losing on the scorecard in the initial rounds. In the fifth round Rodriguez was able to achieve a ground-and-pound victory with a stoppage by verbal tapout. In his first title defense, he was knocked out by 6'8 up and coming striker Tim Sylvia in the first round, thus losing the belt.

Independent promotions

Following the end of his UFC contract, Rodriguez fought for a number of regional and national promotions. He also gained a significant amount of weight, at one point weighing 350 pounds (160 kg). On July 22, 2006, in a rematch of their August 2005 bout in the WEC, he avenged a loss to Ron Waterman at WFA: King of the Streets. He fought as a superheavyweight, weighing in at 300 pounds (140 kg), and was quoted as saying "I'm fat but I still got skills." [7]

Following his win against Imani Lee on November 17, 2006, Rodriguez was put under indefinite suspension by the California State Athletic Commission. [8] The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that Rodriguez had tested positive for both marijuana and cocaine and was subsequently given a six-month suspension for the failed drug test. [9]

On July 27, 2007, Ricco Rodriguez, in his first fight after his suspension, defeated Lloyd Marshbanks by first-round TKO at MMA Xtreme 13, which was held in Puebla, Mexico. At the IFL championship finals, he lost to "Big" Ben Rothwell by unanimous decision.

Rodriguez fought in the YAMMA Pit Fighting one-night heavyweight tournament as a late replacement. He defeated George Bush III in the first round by unanimous decision, but was beaten by eventual champion Travis Wiuff in the semi-finals by unanimous decision.

Ricco Rodriguez was scheduled to replace an injured Kevin Randleman in a rematch of their UFC 35 bout against Jeff Monson at the inaugural Godz of War show. [10] That event was canceled, however, and the fight was rescheduled for the inaugural Mixed Fighting Alliance (MFA) event, which Rodriguez lost by unanimous decision.

At the 2009 ADCC qualifiers Rodriguez weighed in at a svelte 218 lb, down well over 100 lb from his peak in the mid-2000s. Rodriguez attributed his weight loss to a renewed focus and partnership with a new nutritional coach and long-time friend, Richard Sicola-Stone.

Rodriguez missed weight for his first attempt at fighting at 205 pounds at the inaugural Israel Fighting Championship event on Nov. 9. He still fought and won his fight over Daniel Tabera, however, and then promptly challenged his friend, Jeff Monson for a rubber match, to a fight at 205 pounds. [11]

Ricco Rodriguez made his BAMMA debut facing The Ultimate Fighter 10 alumni and UFC veteran James McSweeney who was also making his debut for the promotion. Dana White has claimed if Rodriguez wins this bout he will consider resigning him to the UFC. Rodriguez missed weight for the fight, weighing in a full 2 pounds over the contracted 215-pound catchweight. [12]

Ricco made his Bellator debut against the man who first defeated the internet superstar Kimbo Slice, Seth Petruzelli at Bellator 48. He lost the fight via KO (punches) in the first round after getting caught with an overhand right, and ending his 12-fight winning streak.

On April 15, 2013, it was announced that Ricco signed a 3-fight contract for Final Fight Championship. [13] His first fight for the promotion was at FFC05: Rodriguez vs. Simonič event on May 24. 2013, when he fought Slovenian Tomaž Simonič. [14] He won the fight via first round armbar.

On November 9, 2013, he lost to Denis Stojnić on Bosnia Fight Championship event by TKO after an early referee stoppage. Rodriguez immediately stood up and protested the stoppage and left the fight showing the middle finger to the referee. It was announced that they would have a rematch in 2014, also in Sarajevo, however the day after the event, the referee said he was not up to the task and the fight result was changed to NC. [15] [16] [17]

In his next fight, Rodriguez faced Nestoras Batzelas at Final Fight Championship 10 on December 13, 2013. He won the fight via TKO. [18] He then faced Dion Staring for the FFC Heavyweight Championship at Final Fight Championship 17 on December 20, 2014. [19] Despite coming out strong in the opening minute of the first round, Rodriguez would be dropped by a front kick from Staring midway through the first round and subsequently beaten up by ground and pound, and lost the bout via retirement TKO after failing to answer the bell for the third round. [20] After a series of losses, including a match with former PRIDE star Gilbert Yvel, Rodriguez won the CFS Heavyweight title in Graz, Austria defeating Nandor Guelmino.

Boxing career

Rodriguez made his professional boxing debut on October 12, 2006, beating 19-year-old Cruiserweight Brandon Baker by knockout. On July 8, 2008, Rodriguez fought his second professional boxing bout losing via split decision to Chad Davies, who came into the fight with a 0-1 record.

Bare knuckle boxing

Rodriguez faced Lewis Rumsey at a Bare Knuckle FC event held on June 2, 2018. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Other appearances

Rodriguez appeared in an episode of the History Channel series Human Weapon , in which he faced Bill Duff in a draw. He also appears in bonus footage of The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr DVD. [21]

Rodriguez has appeared on season one of the VH1 reality television show Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew , which documented his struggle with substance abuse. [22]

Personal life

Rodriguez has a daughter and one son. [23] [24]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Submission grappling

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
82 matches54 wins27 losses
By knockout1711
By submission250
By decision1216
No contests1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss54–27 (1)Hatef MoeilDecision (unanimous)CFS 9: Cage Fight Series 9February 2, 201935:00 Austria
Loss54–26 (1) Alex Nicholson TKO (submission to punches)AFC 24: CamSoda LegendsApril 26, 201811:27 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win54–25 (1)Nandor GuelminoSubmission (forearm choke)Cage Fight Series part 8January 21, 201832:30 Graz, AustriaFor the CFS Heavyweight Championship.
Loss53–25 (1) Gilbert Yvel TKO (leg kicks)WFCA 31: Ushukov vs. VagaevNovember 19, 201611:00 Grozny, Russia
Loss53–24 (1)Ivan ShtyrkovTKO (punches)RCC Boxing PromotionsSeptember 9, 201611:55 Sverdlovsk, Russia [25]
Loss53–23 (1)Denis StojnićTKO (punches)Bosnia Fight Championship 2June 13, 201520:22 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Loss53–22 (1)Dion StaringTKO (retirement) Final Fight Championship 17 December 20, 201425:00 Opatija, CroatiaFor the FFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win53–21 (1) Nestoras Batzelas TKO (punches) Final Fight Championship 10 December 13, 201323:33 Skopje, Macedonia
NC52–21 (1)Denis StojnićNCBosnian Fight ChampionshipNovember 9, 201314:55 Sarajevo, Bosnia and HerzegovinaOriginally TKO loss, overturned due to early stoppage.
Win52–21 Zelg Galešić Submission (armbar) Final Fight Championship 8 October 25, 201312:10 Zagreb, CroatiaCatchweight (95 kg).
Loss51–21 Ian Freeman TKO (punches)UCFC 5: Legends of MMAJuly 27, 201312:11 Doncaster, England
Loss51–20Marcin LazarzDecision (unanimous)GWC: The British Invasion: US vs. UKJune 29, 201335:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win51–19Tomaz SimonicSubmission (armbar)FFC: Final Fight Championship 5May 24, 201313:49 Osijek, Croatia
Win50–19Andreas KraniotakesDecision (unanimous)CFS 7: Cage Fight Series 7May 12, 201335:00 Unterpremstätten, Styria, Austria
Loss49–19 Ante Delija Decision (unanimous)HOG: House of Gladiators 1December 21, 201225:00 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Win49–18Kevin ThompsonSubmission (armbar)UWC 21: XplosionOctober 20, 201214:45 Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England
Loss48–18Stav EconomouDecision (unanimous)Dubai FC 1: The BeginningMay 4, 201235:00 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Loss48–17 Ruslan Magomedov Decision (unanimous)United Glory 15: 2012 Glory World SeriesMarch 23, 201235:00 Moscow, Moscow Oblast, Russia
Loss48–16 Alexander Volkov Decision (unanimous)BF: Baltic Challenge 3February 23, 201235:00 Kaliningrad, Russia
Loss48–15 Blagoi Ivanov TKO (retirement)CMMAT: Chekhov MMA TournamentDecember 24, 201133:33 Chekhov, Moscow Oblast, Russia
Win48–14Bashir YamilkhanovTKO (punches)FEFoMP: Battle of EmpiresDecember 17, 201122:56 Khabarovsk, Khabarovsk Krai, Russia
Loss47–14 Glover Teixeira TKO (submission to punches)MMAAD: MMA Against DengueNovember 27, 201111:58Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Loss47–13Michał KitaDecision (unanimous)MMAA: MMA AttackNovember 5, 201125:00Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland
Loss47–12 Seth Petruzelli TKO (punches) Bellator 48 August 20, 201114:21 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win47–11Doug WilliamsSubmission (rear-naked choke) Shark Fights 17: Horwich vs. Rosholt 2 July 15, 201112:16 Frisco, Texas, United States
Win46–11 James McSweeney Decision (unanimous) BAMMA 5: Daley vs. Shirai February 26, 201135:00 Manchester, England
Win45–11Daniel TaberaDecision (unanimous)Israel Fighting Championship: GenesisNovember 9, 201035:00 Tel Aviv, Israel
Win44–11John JuarezDecision (split)USA MMA: StackedJuly 31, 201035:00 Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Win43–11Bobby MartinezSubmission (heel hook)AFA 4: Parking Lot BeatdownJuly 17, 201011:03 Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States
Win42–11Ken SparksTKO (punches)USA MMA: LegendsMay 22, 201012:32 Kinder, Louisiana, United States
Win41–11 Travis Fulton KO (head kick)CT: Cage ThugMay 1, 20101N/A Waterloo, Iowa, United States
Win40–11Brian RyanTKO (punches)XKL: Evolution 1March 20, 201022:05 Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States
Win39–11Patrick MillerTKO (punches)STFC 10: AnnihilationFebruary 26, 201022:20 McAllen, Texas, United States
Win38–11Moise RimbonDecision (split)IAFC: Mayor's Cup 2009November 27, 200933:00 Novosibirsk, Novosibirsk Oblast, Russia
Win37–11Justin HowardTKO (submission to punches)KOK 7: Judgement DayAugust 29, 200912:05 Austin, Texas, United States
Win36–11John BrownSubmission (rear-naked choke)Reality Combat: The ReturnJuly 25, 200932:34 Slidell, Louisiana, United States
Loss35–11Mario RinaldiDecision (unanimous)WFC: Battle Of The Bay 8July 10, 200935:00 Tampa, Florida, United States
Win35–10Doug WilliamsSubmission (anaconda choke)Armagedon Fighting Championships 09June 27, 200911:02 Tyler, Texas, United States
Loss34–10 Jeff Monson Decision (unanimous)Mixed Fighting Alliance "There Will Be Blood"December 13, 200835:00 Miami, Florida, United States
Win34–9Robert BeraunDecision (unanimous)Rage in the Cage 117November 8, 200833:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win33–9 Rob Broughton Submission (kneebar)Cage Gladiators 9October 4, 200823:39 Liverpool, England
Win32–9Titus CampbellSubmission (guillotine choke)Silver Crown FightsAugust 8, 200823:06 Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States
Win31–9Johnathan IveyDecision (unanimous)Xp3: The Proving GroundJuly 26, 200833:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Win30–9Chris GuillenSubmission (armbar)Ultimate Combat Experience 1June 27, 200814:30 West Valley City, Utah, United States
Loss29–9 Travis Wiuff Decision (unanimous)YAMMA Pit FightingApril 11, 200815:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United StatesYAMMA Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win29–8George BushDecision (unanimous)15:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss28–8 Antônio Silva Decision (split) EliteXC: Street Certified February 16, 200835:00 Miami, Florida, United States
Win28–7Kevin FilalTKO (retirement)PFP: Ring of FireDecember 9, 20071N/A Manila, Philippines
Loss27–7 Ben Rothwell Decision (unanimous) IFL 2007 World Championship Finals September 20, 200734:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win27–6Lloyd MarshbanksTKO (punches)MMA Xtreme 13July 28, 200713:11 Tijuana, Mexico
Win26–6Imani LeeSubmission (rear-naked choke)BIB: Beatdown in BakersfieldNovember 17, 200612:12 Bakersfield, California, United States
Win25–6Abdias IrissonTKO (punches)MMA Xtreme 7November 11, 20061N/A Tijuana, Mexico
Win24–6 Ron Waterman TKO (doctor stoppage) WFA: King of the Streets July 22, 200615:00 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win23–6Taylor BrooksSubmission (armbar)MMA Xtreme 1March 25, 20061N/A Tijuana, Mexico
Loss22–6Robert BeraunDecision (unanimous)RITC 78: Back with a VengeanceJanuary 14, 200633:00 Glendale, Arizona, United States
Win22–5Tyler BrooksSubmission (armbar)Pro Fight LeagueMarch 25, 200514:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win21–5David MoriDecision (unanimous)MMA Fighting Challenge 4December 3, 200535:00 Guadalajara, Mexico
Win20–5Corey SalterSubmission (armbar)Ultimate Texas Showdown 3November 26, 200520:17 Dallas, Texas, United States
Win19–5Jimmy AmbrizTKO (submission to punches) WEC 17 October 14, 200514:13 Lemoore, California, United States
Loss18–5 Ron Waterman Decision (unanimous) WEC 16 August 18, 200535:00 Lemoore, California, United StatesFor the WEC Super Heavyweight Championship.
Win18–4Andy MontanaSubmission (armbar)Independent eventJuly 15, 200511:50 Fountain Hills, Arizona, United States
Win17–4Ruben VillarealSubmission (armbar)Extreme Wars: X-1July 2, 200512:38 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win16–4Scott JunkSubmission (front choke)Rumble on the Rock 7May 7, 200520:42 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win15–4 Mike Seal Submission (rear-naked choke)MMA Mexico: Day 2December 18, 200411:06 Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
Loss14–4 Pedro Rizzo Decision (unanimous) UFC 45 November 21, 200335:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss14–3 Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira Decision (unanimous) PRIDE Total Elimination 2003 August 10, 200335:00 Saitama, Japan
Loss14–2 Tim Sylvia TKO (punches) UFC 41 February 28, 200313:09 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United StatesLost the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win14–1 Randy Couture TKO (submission to elbow) UFC 39 September 27, 200253:04 Uncasville, Connecticut, United StatesWon the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win13–1 Tsuyoshi Kohsaka TKO (punches) UFC 37 May 10, 200223:25 Bossier City, Louisiana, United States
Win12–1 Jeff Monson TKO (punches) UFC 35 January 11, 200233:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win11–1 Pete Williams TKO (punches) UFC 34 November 2, 200124:02 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win10–1 Andrei Arlovski TKO (punches) UFC 32 June 29, 200131:23 East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
Win9–1 Paul Buentello Submission (kneebar) KOTC 7: Wet and Wild February 24, 200124:21 San Jacinto, California, United StatesWon the KOTC Openweight Superfight Championship.
Win8–1John MarshDecision (unanimous) PRIDE 12 December 23, 200025:00 Saitama, Japan
Win7–1 Giant Ochiai Submission (smother choke) PRIDE 10 August 27, 200016:04 Saitama, Japan
Win6–1 Gary Goodridge Decision (unanimous) PRIDE 9 June 4, 2000210:00 Nagoya, Japan
Win5–1 Travis Fulton Submission (armbar) KOTC 2: Desert Storm February 5, 200014:49 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win4–1 Sam Adkins Submission (forearm choke)Armageddon 2November 23, 199914:32 Houston, Texas, United States
Loss3–1 Bobby Hoffman KO (punches)SuperBrawl 13September 7, 199913:13 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win3–0Steve ShawSubmission (armbar)Rage in the Cage 6July 10, 199911:34 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win2–0Rocky BatastiniSubmission (armbar)Extreme CageMarch 25, 199914:58 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win1–0Scott AdamsDecisionExtreme CageMarch 25, 199934:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Bare knuckle record

Professional record breakdown
1 match1 win0 losses
By decision10
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win1–0Lewis RumseyDecision (unanimous) BKFC 1: The Beginning June 2, 201852:00 Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States

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References

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  5. "IBJJF Mundials results 1997". www.ibjjf.org. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
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  12. "BAMMA 5 Weigh-in Results and Pics: Paul Daley and Ricco Rodriguez Miss Weight". MMAWeekly.com. February 25, 2011.
  13. "FFC potpisao ugovor s bivšim UFC prvakom Riccom Rodriguezom!". FightSite.hr. April 15, 2013. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013.
  14. Bivši UFC-ov prvak Ricco Rodriguez debitira za FFC u Osijeku Archived June 10, 2013, at the Wayback Machine (in Croatian)
  15. "Čudnom sudijskom odlukom Stojnić savladao Rodrigueza (FOTO)".
  16. Katastrofalna odluka suca u Sarajevu: Stojnić pobijedio Rodrigueza! Archived November 12, 2013, at the Wayback Machine (in Croatian)
  17. Sudac koji je poklonio pobjedu Stojniću: Moja odluka je poništena, pogriješio sam! Archived November 13, 2013, at the Wayback Machine (in Croatian)
  18. "Final Fight Championship 10 Official Results". mixedmartialarts.com. December 13, 2013.
  19. "Dion Staring and Ricco Rodriguez to fight for the FFC heavyweight title". sherdog.com. October 14, 2014.
  20. "Beyond the Octagon: former champ Ricco Rodriguez returns, Bellator's Stepanyan KOs UFC's Yagin". bloodyelbow.com. December 25, 2014.
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  24. "Positive energy helps Ricco Rodriguez battle the odds". TBO.com. July 10, 2009. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
  25. СТОЛИЦА СИЛЫ (March 7, 2017). "Иван Штырков vs Рикко Родригез / Ivan Shtirkov vs Ricco Rodriguez". Archived from the original on December 19, 2021 via YouTube.
Preceded by UFC Heavyweight champion
September 27, 2002 – February 28, 2003
Succeeded by