Aaron Riley

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.

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.

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.

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. Riley had previously suffered a broken jaw when he fought Spencer Fisher at UFC Fight Night 3.

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

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

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Jorge Gurgel

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Justin Salas Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga

Seattle, Washington, United States Loss

Tony Ferguson TKO (corner stoppage) UFC 135

Denver, Colorado, United States Win

Joe Brammer Decision (unanimous) UFC 114

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Ross Pearson TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC 105

Manchester, England Win

Shane Nelson Decision (unanimous) UFC 101

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Loss

Shane Nelson TKO (punches) UFC 96

Columbus, Ohio, United States Win

Jorge Gurgel Decision (unanimous) UFC 91

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Steve Claveau Decision (unanimous) Xtreme MMA 5

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Thiago Meller Decision (unanimous) UWC: Invasion

Fairfax, Virginia, United States Loss

Ryan Schultz Decision (unanimous) IFL: 2007 Team Championship Final

Hollywood, Florida, United States Loss

Eddie Alvarez KO (punches) BodogFIGHT: USA vs Russia

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Win

Darrell Smith Submission (armbar) BodogFIGHT: To the Brink of War

Costa Rica Loss

Spencer Fisher TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC Fight Night 3

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Michihiro Omigawa KO (head kick) PRIDE Bushido 7

Tokyo, Japan Win

Andrew Chappelle Decision HOOKnSHOOT: Arnold Classic

Columbus, Ohio, United States Win

Maicon Alarcao TKO (injury) AFC: Brazil 1

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Nuri Shakir Decision (unanimous) HOOKnSHOOT: Live

Evansville, Indiana, United States Loss

Sam Morgan Submission (armbar) Shooto USA – Warrior Spirit: Evolution

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Cedric Marks Submission (armbar) Combate Extremo

New Mexico Win

Nick Gilardi TKO (submission to punches) PPKA: Ultimate Fight Night

Yakima, Washington, United States Loss

Chris Lytle KO (punch) HOOKnSHOOT: Boot Camp 1.1

Evansville, Indiana, United States Win

Alexandre Barros Decision (unanimous) HOOKnSHOOT: Absolute Fighting Championships 1

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States Loss

Robbie Lawler Decision (unanimous) UFC 37

Bossier City, Louisiana, United States Win

Mike Willus TKO (strikes) HOOKnSHOOT: Kings 1

Evansville, Indiana, United States Loss

Yves Edwards Decision (unanimous) HOOKnSHOOT: Showdown

Evansville, Indiana, United States Win

Earl Thompson Submission (armbar) UFCF: War 2001

Kirkland, Washington, United States Win

Steve Berger Decision (unanimous) HOOKnSHOOT: Triumph

Evansville, Indiana, United States Win

Aaron Stregles KO (punches) Talon Challenge 2

Harlingen, Texas, United States Win

Jeremy Bennett KO (punches) HOOKnSHOOT: Double Fury 1

United States Win

Colin O'Rourke Decision (majority) WEF 8: Goin' Platinum

Rome, Georgia, United States Loss

Falaniko Vitale TKO (punches) RITC 2: Marching of the Warriors

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Loss

Yves Edwards Decision HOOKnSHOOT: Texas Heat

Texas, United States Win

Joe Merit Submission (armbar) Lionheart Invitational

Georgia, United States Draw

CJ Fernandes Draw Submission Fighting Championships 8

Belleville, Illinois, United States Win

Billy Johnson TKO (submission to punches) HOOKnSHOOT: Breakout

Evansville, Indiana, United States Win

Rob Tallack TKO (punches) Kakidamisi 1: Samurai Challenge

United States Win

Tony Apponte TKO (submission to punches) Extreme Shootout

McAllen, Texas, United States Win

James Julian Submission (armbar) Submission Fighting Championships 6

O'Fallon, Illinois, United States Win

Shane Garrett Decision (unanimous) HOOKnSHOOT: Horizon

Evansville, Indiana, United States Win

Phil Stroffolino TKO (submission to punches) HOOKnSHOOT: Eruption

Evansville, Indiana, United States Win

Brian Boclair Submission (armbar) HOOKnSHOOT: Quest

United States Win

Chris Mounce Submission (keylock) HOOKnSHOOT: N-Vision

United States Win

Billy Johnson Submission (armbar) HOOKnSHOOT: Elite

Indiana, United States Loss

Mario Roberto Submission (kneebar) HOOKnSHOOT: When Worlds Collide

United States Win

Chris Malgieri Submission (heel hook) HOOKnSHOOT: When Worlds Collide

United States