Mike Richman

Michael Richman (born June 23, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer currently competing with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, where he is a former BKFC Light Heavyweight Champion. A professional competitor in mixed martial arts since 2008, Richman has competed for Bellator MMA, the Lightweight division of the Legacy Fighting Alliance, and is also 2-0 as a professional boxer.

As of April 13, 2026, he is #4 in the BKFC light heavyweight rankings.

Background Born and raised in Rosemount, Minnesota, began competing in wrestling from a young age and was also a fan of boxing and mixed martial arts. Richman attended Rosemount High School where he competed in wrestling before joining the United States Marine Corps upon graduating. After serving three tours as an infantryman in Iraq and reaching the rank of Sergeant, Richman began training in mixed martial arts in 2008.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Richman made his professional debut in 2008 and compiled an undefeated record of 8-0 before competing on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck.

The Ultimate Fighter Richman was one of 32 contestants selected to compete on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck. In his opening bout to get into the house, Richman lost to Aaron Wilkinson by unanimous decision after two rounds.

Bellator MMA Richman made his Bellator MMA debut against WEC veteran Chris Horodecki at Bellator 64. In a huge upset, Richman won via KO at 1:23 of the first round.

After his win over Horodecki, Richman competed in the Bellator Season Seven Featherweight Tournament. In the quarterfinal round at Bellator 76, Richman defeated Jeremy Spoon via head KO 23 seconds into the first round. In the semifinals, he faced Shahbulat Shamhalaev and lost via brutal KO in the first round.

Richman proved he was the superior fighter in his Bellator 88 Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal bout against Mitch Jackson. Richman won a decisive first-round TKO victory. Richman dominated Jackson on his feet, dropping him three times with short left hooks.

Richman faced Alexandre Bezerra in the semifinals on March 7, 2013 at Bellator 92. He won the bout via split decision.

Richman faced Magomedrasul Khasbulaev in the Bellator Featherweight Tournament Final on April 4, 2013 in Atlantic City. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Richman faced Akop Stepanyan at Bellator 106 on November 2, 2013. Richman had been in trouble early in the fight, but floored Stepanyan with a left hook in the first round. He then faced Desmond Green at Bellator 110 in the quarter-finals of the Featherweight Tournament. Richman lost via unanimous decision.

Richman faced Goiti Yamauchi on May 17, 2014 at Bellator 120. He lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.

In the fall of 2014, Richman moved down to the bantamweight division. He debuted at 135 against Ed West at Bellator 126 on September 26, 2014. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. He also made his signature 'walk-off knockout', where he backs off the fighter before referee called stoppage on the fight.

Richman faced promotional newcomer Nam Phan at Bellator 131 on November 15, 2014. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Richman was expected to face former Bellator Bantamweight Champion Eduardo Dantas at Bellator 135 on March 27, 2015. However, the bout was removed from the fight card after Richman suffered an undisclosed injury. The fight eventually took place at Bellator 137 on May 15, 2015. Richman lost the back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision.

On June 9, 2015 the California State Athletic Commission confirmed that Richman had failed a post fight drug test following his fight against Eduardo Dantas at Bellator 137. He tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs according to CSAC Executive Director Andy Foster and will be suspended two years and fined $2,500 for the rule infraction.

Bare-knuckle boxing BKB Following his suspension from mixed martial arts, Richman ventured into bare-knuckle boxing. At the time, the sport was still illegal in the United States so he traveled to the United Kingdom for his first fight under the BKB promotion on June 9, 2018.

Valor Bare Knuckle Richman had his first bare-knuckle fight on US soil at Valor Bare Knuckle 1 on September 21, 2019. His fight with JC Llamas ended in a no contest after an accidental headbutt inflicted a cut above Llamas' eye and rendered him unable to continue.

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Richman made his Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship debut against Marcel Stamps on April 30, 2021 at BKFC 17. He won by first-round technical knockout via shoulder injury.

He next faced Dakota Cochrane on September 10, 2021 at BKFC 21, whom he defeated by second-round knockout.

Richman faced David Rickels on April 8, 2022 at BKFC 23, winning by second-round knockout.

Interim BKFC Light Heavyweight Champion After three consecutive victories, Richman was set to face Isaac Doolitle for the interim BKFC Light Heavyweight Championship on October 15, 2022 at BKFC 31. He won the fight and interim title via third-round knockout.

As interim champion, Richman was scheduled to face reigning champion Lorenzo Hunt in a title unification bout at KnuckleMania 3 on February 17, 2023. Despite knocking Hunt down in the first round, Richman was knocked out and suffered the first loss of his bare-knuckle boxing career.

Post championship Richman challenged David Mundell for the BKFC Middleweight Championship at BKFC 47 on July 14, 2023. He lost the fight via knockout in the second round. Afterwards, Richman announced his retirement.

Richman came out of retirement to face Erick Lozano on April 12, 2024 at BKFC Fight Night 13 in the main event. He won the bout in the fifth round by knockout.

BKFC Light Heavyweight Champion Richman challenged Jared Warren for the BKFC Light Heavyweight Championship at BKFC on DAZN 3 on December 21, 2024. He won the fight and championship by knockout in the first round. This fight earned him his first Knockout of the Night award.

Richman made his first defense of his light heavyweight title against Josh Dyer at BKFC 74 on May 10, 2025. He lost the fight and championship by technical knockout in the fourth round.

Post championship Richman faced Joe Elmore on February 7, 2026 at BKFC Knucklemania VI. He won the fight by majority decision.

Richman faced John Garbarino on July 3, 2026 at BKFC Liberty Brawl. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship BKFC Light Heavyweight Champion (One time) Interim BKFC Light Heavyweight Champion (One time) Knockout of the Night (One time) vs. Jared Warren Bellator Fighting Championships Bellator Season Eight Featherweight Tournament Runner-Up

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Jeff Peterson Decision (unanimous) Legacy Fighting Alliance 29

Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States Moved up to Lightweight. Loss

Lazar Stojadinovic Decision (unanimous) Legacy Fighting Alliance 2

Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States Moved up to Featherweight. Loss

Eduardo Dantas Decision (unanimous) Bellator 137

Temecula, California, United States Win

Nam Phan KO (punches) Bellator 131

San Diego, California, United States Win

Ed West KO (punches) Bellator 126

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Loss

Goiti Yamauchi Decision (unanimous) Bellator 120

Southaven, Mississippi, United States Loss

Desmond Green Decision (unanimous) Bellator 110

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Akop Stepanyan TKO (punches) Bellator 106

Long Beach, California, United States Loss

Magomedrasul Khasbulaev Decision (unanimous) Bellator 95

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Alexandre Bezerra Decision (split) Bellator 92

Temecula, California, United States Win

Mitch Jackson TKO (head kick and punches) Bellator 88

Duluth, Georgia, United States Loss

Shahbulat Shamhalaev KO (punches) Bellator 79

Rama, Ontario, Canada Win

Jeremy Spoon KO (head kick and punch) Bellator 76

Windsor, Ontario, Canada Win

Chris Horodecki KO (punches) Bellator 64

Windsor, Ontario, Canada Win

Morgan Sickinger Decision (unanimous) Driller Promotions / SEG: Downtown Showdown 1

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Win

Christopher Lane TKO (punches) Riot at the Hyatt: Packer vs. Viking

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Loss

Brian Pearman Decision (split) Seconds Out / Vivid MMA: Showdown at the Sheraton 2

Bloomington, Minnesota, United States Win

Mike Lindquist Submission (rear-naked choke) Seconds Out / Vivid MMA: Combat on Capital Hill 4

Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States Win

Ryan Stock TKO (punches) Seconds Out / Vivid MMA: Tour of Duty 1

Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States Win

Derek Getzel Submission (anaconda choke) Ambition Promotions: The Crucible

Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States Win

Wes Ronchi Submission (triangle choke) Brutaal: Fight Night

Shakopee, Minnesota, United States Win

Chris Coplan Submission (rear-naked choke) Brutaal: Fight Night

Shakopee, Minnesota, United States Win

Deryck Ripley Submission Brutaal: Fight Night

Shakopee, Minnesota, United States Win

Mel Ott Submission (armbar) Brutaal: Fight Night

Shakopee, Minnesota, United States Win

Rob Degroot Submission (armbar) Brutaal: Fight Night

Shakopee, Minnesota, United States Win

Jason Trett TKO (punches) Brutaal: Fight Night

Shakopee, Minnesota, United States Bare knuckle boxing record Loss

John Garbarino Decision (unanimous) BKFC Liberty Brawl

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Joe Elmore Decision (majority) BKFC Knucklemania VI

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Loss

Josh Dyer TKO BKFC 74

West Valley City, Utah, United States Win

Jared Warren KO (punch) BKFC on DAZN Hollywood, FL: Warren vs. Richman

Hollywood, Florida, United States Win

Erick Lozano KO (punch) BKFC Fight Night Clearwater: Richman vs. Lozano

Clearwater, Florida, United States Loss

David Mundell KO (punch) BKFC 47

Lakeland, Florida, United States Loss

Lorenzo Hunt KO (punch) BKFC KnuckleMania 3

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Win

Isaac Doolittle KO (punch) BKFC 31

Broomfield, Colorado, United States | Win

David Rickels KO (punch) BKFC 23

Wichita, Kansas, United States Win

Dakota Cochrane KO (punch) BKFC 21

Omaha, Nebraska, United States Win

Marcel Stamps KO (punch) BKFC 17

Birmingham, Alabama, United States NC

JC Llamas NC (accidental headbutt) Valor Bare Knuckle 1

New Town, North Dakota, United States Win

Marcus Gaines TKO BKB 11

London, England, United States