Ryan Roberts

Ryan Roberts (born July 16, 1978) is an American former professional mixed martial artist, who competed in the Featherweight division, but has also competed at Lightweight and Bantamweight. He is the former VFC featherweight champion, and is also known for his short stints in Bellator and UFC. He is a bare-knuckle boxer, currently competing in the lightweight division in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).

Mixed martial arts career Roberts began his mixed martial arts career in 2006 for the AFC promotion, and made local competitor Nick Wright tap out from strikes early in the first round for his first victory. Four fights into his career, Roberts faced future WEC and UFC fighter Donald Cerrone, and was submitted with an armbar in the first round.

He would continue fighting local competitors in various smaller promotions in Iowa, Colorado, and Nebraska, and compiled a professional record of 10–2 before being signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship in early 2008.

Ultimate Fighting Championship In his one and only appearance for the UFC, Roberts faced submission specialist and Pride FC standout Marcus Aurelio at UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Lauzon on April 2, 2008. Roberts was submitted with an armbar in just thirteen seconds, and was subsequently released from the promotion shortly after.

Post-UFC career Following his UFC release, Roberts would go on a career worst six-fight losing streak against opponents of varying fighting status. On April 2, 2010, Roberts faced Chris Mickle at Midtown Promotions, and won the fight when Roberts knocked out Mickle with a slam in the first round. He won two more fights and was then signed by Bellator.

Bellator Fighting Championship Roberts faced Eric Marriott in a rematch at Bellator 32 on October 14, 2010. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

He returned to Bellator after an undefeated run on the regional circuit and faced Zach Makovsky at Bellator 54 on October 15, 2011. Roberts lost the fight by north–south choke and was released from Bellator.

Victory Fighting Championship Since his release from Bellator, Roberts has made an unexpected career resurgence, successfully capturing the VFC featherweight championship against Josh Arocho on December 15, 2012.

For his first title defense, Roberts faced WEC veteran L.C. Davis at VFC 41 on December 14, 2013. Roberts won the back-and-forth fight by split decision. Roberts then faced Chase Beebe at VFC 42 on March 15, 2014, winning the fight by a dominant unanimous decision.

Roberts faced Jeremy Spoon at VFC: Fight Night Harrahs 1 on September 12, 2014. He won the fight by a razor-thin split decision, marking his third straight successful title defense. Roberts faced UFC veteran Ramiro Hernandez at VFC 46 on July 25, 2015, winning the fight by first-round knockout.

Resurrection Fighting Alliance Roberts signed with Resurrection Fighting Alliance in mid-2015, and is faced prospect Adam Townsend in his debut at RFA 30 on September 18, 2015. He lost the bout by unanimous decision.

Return to Victory Fighting Championship and retirement Roberts faced Robert Emerson at VFC 54 on December 9, 2016, and lost his VFC featherweight championship in the first round via technical knockout as a result of a knee injury. Roberts retired from MMA after the bout.

Bare-knuckle boxing

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Roberts made his debut against Jorge Gonzalez at BKFC 21 on September 10, 2021, and won by knockout in the second round.

Roberts faced Bobby Taylor at BKFC Fight Night 14 on May 17, 2024. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments Victory Fighting Championship VFC Featherweight Championship (One time) Four successful title defenses Fury Fights FF Lightweight Championship (One time) The Cage Incorporated TCI Featherweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Robert Emerson TKO (knee injury) VFC 54: Pitolo vs. Kayne 2

Omaha, Nebraska, United States Loss

Adam Townsend Decision (unanimous) RFA 30: Smith vs. Jardine

Lincoln, Nebraska, United States Win

Ramiro Hernandez KO (punches) VFC: Victory Fighting Championship 46

Omaha, Nebraska, United States Win

Jeremy Spoon Technical Decision (split) VFC: Fight Night Harrahs 1

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Win

Chase Beebe Decision (unanimous) VFC: Victory Fighting Championship 42

Omaha, Nebraska, United States Win

L.C. Davis Decision (split) VFC: Victory Fighting Championship 41

Ralston, Nebraska, United States Win

Josh Arocho Decision (unanimous) VFC: Victory Fighting Championship 38

Ralston, Nebraska, United States Loss

Zach Makovsky Submission (north-south choke) Bellator LIV

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Draw

Rick Glenn Draw MCC 35: Brawl at the Hall

Des Moines, Iowa, United States Win

Nick Mamalis Decision (unanimous) The Cage Inc.: Battle at the Border 9

Hankinson, North Dakota, United States Win

Dennis Davis Decision (unanimous) EB: Beatdown at 4 Bears 8

New Town, North Dakota, United States Win

Jeff Lentz Decision (unanimous) Extreme Challenge: Bad Blood

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Loss

Eric Marriott Decision (unanimous) Bellator XXXII

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

Eric Marriott Decision (unanimous) VFC 32: Dober vs. Seipel 2

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Win

Chaz Haag TKO (punches) CFX / XKL: Mayhem in Minneapolis

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Win

Chris Mickle KO (slam) Midtown Productions: Mayhem at Mancuso

Omaha, Nebraska, United States Loss

Duane Ludwig TKO (submission to punches) ROF 36: Demolition

Denver, Colorado, United States Loss

Eric Marriott Decision (unanimous) TFC 14: Titan Fighting Championship 14

Kansas City, Kansas, United States Loss

Jonathan Murphy TKO (punches) XFO: Xtreme Fighting Organization 28

Lakemoor, Illinois, United States Loss

Joe Wilk Submission (guillotine choke) VFC 26: Onslaught

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Loss

John Mahlow Submission AE: Atomic Enterprizes

Sarasota, Florida, United States Loss

Marcus Aurelio Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Lauzon

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Joe Doherty Decision (unanimous) VFC 22: Ascension

Win

Zach Wolff TKO (punches) VFC 22: Ascension

Loss

Alonzo Martinez Submission VFC 20: Aces

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Win

Rocky Johnson Decision (split) Battlequest 6: Shootout

Eagle, Colorado, United States NC

Zac George No Contest IFO: Eastman vs. Kimmons

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Eugene Crisler TKO (punches) XFO: Xtreme Fighting Organization 18

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States Win

Alex Rutter KO (punches) VFC 19: Inferno

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Win

Jake Burriola Submission (keylock) GFC 1: Genesis

Des Moines, Iowa, United States Loss

Donald Cerrone Submission (armbar) ROF 28: Evolution

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Josh Smidt Submission (rear-naked choke) RFN 2: Royalty Fight Night 2

Emmetsburg, Iowa, United States Win

Ryan Heckert TKO (punches) VFC 17: Predators

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Win

Tony Hawkins TKO (punches) Fury Fights: Battle in Brookings 1

South Dakota, United States, United States Win

Nick Wright TKO (submission to punches) AFC 9: Fresh Meat

Omaha, Nebraska, United States Bare knuckle boxing record Loss

Bobby Taylor Decision (unanimous) BKFC Fight Night Omaha: Trinidad-Snake vs. Pague

Omaha, Nebraska, United States Win

Jorge Gonzalez KO (punch) BKFC 21

Omaha, Nebraska, United States