Ricco Rodriguez

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.

Early life Rodriguez was born in San Jose, California and grew up in the projects in Paterson, New Jersey. 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.

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. 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 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 . 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 , and was quoted as saying "I'm fat but I still got skills."

Following his win against Imani Lee on November 17, 2006, Rodriguez was put under indefinite suspension by the California State Athletic Commission. 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.

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. 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.

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.

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. His first fight for the promotion was at FFC05: Rodriguez vs. Simonič event on May 24. 2013, when he fought Slovenian Tomaž Simonič. 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.

In his next fight, Rodriguez faced Nestoras Batzelas at Final Fight Championship 10 on December 13, 2013. He won the fight via TKO. He then faced Dion Staring for the FFC Heavyweight Championship at Final Fight Championship 17 on December 20, 2014. 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. 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 BKFC 1 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.

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

Personal life Rodriguez has a daughter and one son.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts King of the Cage KOTC Heavyweight Championship (One time) Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC Heavyweight Championship (One time) UFC Encyclopedia Awards Fight of the Night (Two times) Knockout of the Night (One time) Tied for fourth most consecutive knockouts in UFC history (5) YAMMA Pit Fighting YAMMA Heavyweight Tournament Semifinalist Ultimate Warrior Challenge UWC Heavyweight Championship (One time) UWC British Heavyweight Championship (One time) Cage Fight Series CFS Heavyweight Championship (One time)

Submission grappling ADCC ADCC 1998 Over 99 Division - Gold Medalist ADCC 1999 Absolute Division - Bronze Medalist ADCC 2000 Over 99 Division - Silver Medalist

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Hatef Moeil Decision (unanimous) Cage Fight Series 9

Graz, Austria Loss

Alex Nicholson TKO (submission to punches) AFC 24: CamSoda Legends

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

Nandor Guelmino Submission (forearm choke) Cage Fight Series 8

Graz, Austria Loss

Gilbert Yvel TKO (leg kicks) WFCA 31

Grozny, Russia Loss

Ivan Shtyrkov TKO (punches) Titov Boxing Promotion: Shtyrkov vs. Rodriguez

Yekaterinburg, Russia Loss

Denis Stojnić TKO (punches) Bosnia Fight Championship 2

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Loss

Dion Staring TKO (retirement) Final Fight Championship 17

Opatija, Croatia Win

Nestoras Batzelas TKO (punches) Final Fight Championship 10

Skopje, Macedonia NC

Denis Stojnić NC Bosnian Fight Championship 1

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Win

Zelg Galešić Submission (armbar) Final Fight Championship 8

Zagreb, Croatia Loss

Ian Freeman TKO (punches) UCFC 5: Legends of MMA

Doncaster, England Loss

Marcin Lazarz Decision (unanimous) GWC: The British Invasion: US vs. UK

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

Tomaz Simonic Submission (armbar) FFC: Final Fight Championship 5

Osijek, Croatia Win

Andreas Kraniotakes Decision (unanimous) CFS 7: Cage Fight Series 7

Unterpremstätten, Styria, Austria Loss

Ante Delija Decision (unanimous) HOG: House of Gladiators 1

Dubrovnik, Croatia Win

Kevin Thompson Submission (armbar) UWC 21: Xplosion

Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England Loss

Stav Economou Decision (unanimous) Dubai FC 1: The Beginning

Dubai, United Arab Emirates Loss

Ruslan Magomedov Decision (unanimous) United Glory 15: 2012 Glory World Series

Moscow, Moscow Oblast, Russia Loss

Alexander Volkov Decision (unanimous) BF: Baltic Challenge 3

Kaliningrad, Russia Loss

Blagoi Ivanov TKO (retirement) CMMAT: Chekhov MMA Tournament

Chekhov, Moscow Oblast, Russia Win

Bashir Yamilkhanov TKO (punches) FEFoMP: Battle of Empires

Khabarovsk, Khabarovsk Krai, Russia Loss

Glover Teixeira TKO (submission to punches) MMAAD: MMA Against Dengue

Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Loss

Michał Kita Decision (unanimous) MMAA: MMA Attack

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland Loss

Seth Petruzelli TKO (punches) Bellator 48

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Doug Williams Submission (rear-naked choke) Shark Fights 17: Horwich vs. Rosholt 2

Frisco, Texas, United States Win

James McSweeney Decision (unanimous) BAMMA 5: Daley vs. Shirai

Manchester, England Win

Daniel Tabera Decision (unanimous) Israel Fighting Championship: Genesis

Tel Aviv, Israel Win

John Juarez Decision (split) USA MMA: Stacked

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States Win

Bobby Martinez Submission (heel hook) AFA 4: Parking Lot Beatdown

Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States Win

Ken Sparks TKO (punches) USA MMA: Legends

Kinder, Louisiana, United States Win

Travis Fulton KO (head kick) CT: Cage Thug

Waterloo, Iowa, United States Win

Brian Ryan TKO (punches) XKL: Evolution 1

Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States Win

Patrick Miller TKO (punches) STFC 10: Annihilation

McAllen, Texas, United States Win

Moise Rimbon Decision (split) IAFC: Mayor's Cup 2009

Novosibirsk, Novosibirsk Oblast, Russia Win

Justin Howard TKO (submission to punches) KOK 7: Judgement Day

Austin, Texas, United States Win

John Brown Submission (rear-naked choke) Reality Combat: The Return

Slidell, Louisiana, United States Loss

Mario Rinaldi Decision (unanimous) WFC: Battle Of The Bay 8

Tampa, Florida, United States Win

Doug Williams Submission (anaconda choke) Armagedon Fighting Championships 09

Tyler, Texas, United States Loss

Jeff Monson Decision (unanimous) Mixed Fighting Alliance "There Will Be Blood"

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Robert Beraun Decision (unanimous) Rage in the Cage 117

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Rob Broughton Submission (kneebar) Cage Gladiators 9

Liverpool, England Win

Titus Campbell Submission (guillotine choke) Silver Crown Fights

Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States Win

Johnathan Ivey Decision (unanimous) Xp3: The Proving Ground

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Chris Guillen Submission (armbar) Ultimate Combat Experience 1

West Valley City, Utah, United States Loss

Travis Wiuff Decision (unanimous)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States

Win

George Bush Decision (unanimous)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Antônio Silva Decision (split) EliteXC: Street Certified

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Kevin Filal TKO (retirement) PFP: Ring of Fire

Manila, Philippines Loss

Ben Rothwell Decision (unanimous) IFL 2007 World Championship Finals

Hollywood, Florida, United States Win

Lloyd Marshbanks TKO (punches) MMA Xtreme 13

Tijuana, Mexico Win

Imani Lee Submission (rear-naked choke) BIB: Beatdown in Bakersfield

Bakersfield, California, United States Win

Abdias Irisson TKO (punches) MMA Xtreme 7

Tijuana, Mexico Win

Ron Waterman TKO (doctor stoppage) WFA: King of the Streets

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

Taylor Brooks Submission (armbar) MMA Xtreme 1

Tijuana, Mexico Loss

Robert Beraun Decision (unanimous) RITC 78: Back with a Vengeance

Glendale, Arizona, United States Win

Tyler Brooks Submission (armbar) Pro Fight League

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

David Mori Decision (unanimous) MMA Fighting Challenge 4

Guadalajara, Mexico Win

Corey Salter Submission (armbar) Ultimate Texas Showdown 3

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Jimmy Ambriz TKO (submission to punches) WEC 17

Lemoore, California, United States Loss

Ron Waterman Decision (unanimous) WEC 16

Lemoore, California, United States Win

Andy Montana Submission (armbar) Independent event

Fountain Hills, Arizona, United States Win

Ruben Villareal Submission (armbar) Extreme Wars: X-1

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Win

Scott Junk Submission (front choke) Rumble on the Rock 7

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Win

Mike Seal Submission (rear-naked choke) MMA Mexico: Day 2

Ciudad Juárez, Mexico Loss

Pedro Rizzo Decision (unanimous) UFC 45

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Loss

Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira Decision (unanimous) PRIDE Total Elimination 2003

Saitama, Japan Loss

Tim Sylvia TKO (punches) UFC 41

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Randy Couture TKO (submission to elbow) UFC 39

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Tsuyoshi Kohsaka TKO (punches) UFC 37

Bossier City, Louisiana, United States Win

Jeff Monson TKO (punches) UFC 35

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Pete Williams TKO (punches) UFC 34

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Andrei Arlovski TKO (punches) UFC 32

East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States Win

Paul Buentello Submission (kneebar) KOTC 7: Wet and Wild

San Jacinto, California, United States Win

John Marsh Decision (unanimous) PRIDE 12

Saitama, Japan Win

Giant Ochiai Submission (smother choke) PRIDE 10

Saitama, Japan Win

Gary Goodridge Decision (unanimous) PRIDE 9

Nagoya, Japan Win

Travis Fulton Submission (armbar) KOTC 2: Desert Storm

San Jacinto, California, United States Win

Sam Adkins Submission (forearm choke) Armageddon 2

Houston, Texas, United States Loss

Bobby Hoffman KO (punches) SuperBrawl 13

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Win

Steve Shaw Submission (armbar) Rage in the Cage 6

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Rocky Batastini Submission (armbar) Extreme Cage

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Scott Adams Decision Extreme Cage

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Bare knuckle record Win

Lewis Rumsey Decision (unanimous) BKFC 1

Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States