Mike Rhodes

Michael Rhodes (born December 4, 1989) is an American former professional mixed martial artist. Rhodes competed in the UFC, Bellator MMA, Absolute Championship Berkut, and RFA and Cage Fury Fighting Championships.

Background Rhodes was born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa. He was a troubled youth who often got into fights and had anger management issues. He competed in basketball and football during high school at Waterloo East High School and Columbus Catholic High School in his senior year. He was talented, later continuing his basketball career in college at Ellsworth Community College. During college, Rhodes began training in cardio kickboxing in order to lose weight, losing 110 lbs before transitioning into a career in mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Rhodes compiled an amateur MMA record of 6–2 and was the Iowa Challenge Amateur Middleweight Champion before making his professional debut in 2012. Rhodes then went 6–1 as a professional and won the RFA Welterweight Championship, before being signed by the UFC. Rhodes signed with the UFC in the winter of 2013.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Rhodes made his promotional debut against fellow newcomer George Sullivan on January 25, 2014, at UFC on Fox 10.

Rhodes next faced Robert Whittaker on June 28, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 43. Rhodes lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Rhodes was next scheduled to face Paulo Thiago on September 13, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 51. However, Rhodes pulled out of the fight citing an injury.

Rhodes made his next appearance against Erick Silva on December 20, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 58 on December 20, 2014. Rhodes was defeated via technical submission due to an arm-triangle choke in the first round and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Post-UFC After being released from the UFC, Rhodes returned to the regional circuit and faced Tom Angeloff at NAFC: Explosion on April 11, 2015. He won via knockout in the first round.

Bellator MMA On February 28, it was announced that Rhodes would replace Chris Honeycutt in a bout against Kendall Grove at Bellator 174 on March 3, 2017. However, Rhodes was unable to make the required weight, and the bout scratched after they were unable to come to an agreement for the bout to proceed at a catchweight.

Rhodes next faced Rafael Lovato Jr. at Bellator 181 on July 14, 2017. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.

On February 20, 2018, it was announced that Bellator had released Rhodes from the promotion.

Championships and accomplishments Resurrection Fighting Alliance RFA Welterweight Champion (One time) Victory Fighting Championship VFC Middleweight Champion (Current) Cage Fury Fighting Championships CFFC Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Najim Wali KO (punch) CFFC 80: Rhodes vs. Wali

Newport News, Virginia, United States | Win

Christian Torres Decision (unanimous) LFA 68

Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States | Win

BJ Lacy Submission (ankle lock) Ascendancy FC 18

Waterloo, Iowa, United States Loss

Ibragim Chuzhigaev Decision (unanimous) ACB 87: Mousah vs. Whiteford

Nottingham, England NC

Bryan Baker NC (elbows to back of head) Extreme Beatdown: Beatdown 21

New Town, North Dakota, United States Loss

Rafael Lovato Jr. Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 181

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Win

Rakim Cleveland Submission (guillotine choke) VFC 51: Emerson vs. West

Urbandale, Iowa, United States Win

Mark Stoddard Decision (unanimous) NAFC: Super Brawl

Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States Win

Taki Uluilakepa Submission (rear-naked choke) Prestige FC 1: Atonement

Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada Catchweight (175 lbs) bout. Win

Tom Angeloff KO (punch) NAFC: Explosion

Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Erick Silva Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway

Barueri, Brazil Loss

Robert Whittaker Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Te-Huna vs. Marquardt

Auckland, New Zealand Loss

George Sullivan Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Thomson

Chicago, Illinois, United States Win

Alan Jouban Decision (unanimous) RFA 10: Rhodes vs. Jouban

Des Moines, Iowa, United States Win

Benjamin Smith TKO (punches) RFA 8: Pettis vs. Pegg

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Brandon Thatch Submission (rear-naked choke) RFA 7: Thatch vs. Rhodes

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Quartus Stitt TKO (retirement) Madtown Throwdown 29: Unstoppable

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Win

Matt Gauthier Submission (armbar) RWC: Rogue Warrior Championships 3

Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States Win

Torrey Berendes KO (punch) Madtown Throwdown 28: Hells Bells

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Win

Zak Ottow Decision (unanimous) NAFC: Colosseum

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States