# Ed Ruth

Edward Lee Ruth (born October 21, 1990) is an American former professional mixed martial artist and freestyle and folkstyle wrestler. He competed in the Middleweight division of Bellator MMA. As a folkstyle wrestler, he was a three-time NCAA Division I national champion.

## Early life and education

Ruth was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He wrestled at Susquehanna Township High School prior to transferring to Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey for his senior year and graduating in 2009.

## Wrestling

In folkstyle wrestling, Ruth competed for Pennsylvania State University from 2010 to 2014. While there, Ruth was a three-time NCAA Division I national champion. In freestyle wrestling, Ruth represented the United States at the 2014 World Wrestling Championships and the 2015 Wrestling World Cup.
In July 2021, Ruth joined the University of Illinois wrestling program as an assistant coach.

## Mixed martial arts career

In December 2014, Ruth trained with mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Jon Jones. While living in State College, Pennsylvania, Ruth trained at Central PA Mixed Martial Arts with head instructor Ryan Gruhn.

### Bellator MMA

He signed with Bellator MMA in May 2015. Due to his focus on competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics, Ruth declared that it would "be a little while" before his MMA debut.
Ruth made his professional MMA debut in November 2016 on the undercard of Bellator 163 against Dustin Collins-Miles, fighting in the middleweight division. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.'
In his second professional MMA bout, Ruth faced Emanuele Palombi at Bellator 168 on December 10, 2016. He again won via TKO in the first round.
Ruth was expected to face Aaron Goodwine at Bellator 178 on April 21, 2017 but the bout did not materialize. Ruth instead fought and defeated David Mundell.
Ruth faced UFC veteran Chris Dempsey on November 3, 2017 at Bellator 186. He won the fight via knockout in the second round.
Ruth was originally scheduled to make his welterweight debut and face Lazslo Furko of Hungary, but Furko pulled out due to injury. Ruth then faced Ion Pascu of Romania, who took the fight on two weeks notice at Bellator 196 held in Budapest, Hungary. This fight was agreed at a catchweight of 175 lbs. He won the fight by unanimous decision after taking Pascu down numerous times and landing heavy ground and pound.
Ruth made his welterweight debut against Andy Murad at Bellator 201 in Temecula, California. He won the fight by TKO in round two.
Ruth next entered the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix. He faced Neiman Gracie in the quarterfinals at Bellator 213 on December 15, 2018. He lost the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the fourth round. After the loss, Ruth decided to leave Alliance MMA and join American Kickboxing Academy.
Ruth faced Kiichi Kunimoto at Bellator 224 on July 12, 2019 and won the fight via TKO in the second round.
On August 15, 2019, it was announced that Ruth had signed an exclusive multi-fight, multi-year contract extension with Bellator. As the first fight of his new contract, Ruth faced Jason Jackson at Bellator 231 on October 25, 2019. He won the back-and-forth fight by split decision. 4 out of 6 media scores gave it to Jackson.
Ruth faced Yaroslav Amosov in the main event of Bellator 239, on February 21, 2020. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Ruth faced Taylor Johnson at Bellator 245 on September 11, 2020. He lost the bout due to an inverted heel hook submission early in the first round.
In July 2021, Ruth retired from MMA and took a job as assistant coach with the University of Illinois wrestling program, joining head coach Mike Poeta in his first year at the helm of the program.

## Championships and accomplishments
### Freestyle wrestling

* United World Wrestling
** 2015 Henri Deglane Challenge Silver Medalist
** 2015 Bill Farrell International Open Gold Medalist
** 2014 Heydar Aliyev Memorial Golden Grand Prix Bronze Medalist
* USA Wrestling
** 2015 U.S World Team Trials Silver Medalist
** 2015 U.S ASICS National Championships Bronze Medalist
** 2014 U.S World Team Member
** 2014 U.S Open Bronze Medalist
** 2013 U.S University National Championships Gold Medalist

### Folkstyle wrestling

* National Collegiate Athletic Association
** NCAA Division I All-American out of Pennsylvania State University (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
** NCAA Division I 174 lb - Third Place out of Pennsylvania State University (2011)
** NCAA Division I 174 lb National Championship out of Pennsylvania State University (2012)
** NCAA Division I 184 lb National Championship out of Pennsylvania State University (2013)
** NCAA Division I 184 lb National Championship out of Pennsylvania State University (2014)
* Big Ten Conference
** Big Ten 174 lb National Championship out of Pennsylvania State University (2011)
** Big Ten 174 lb National Championship out of Pennsylvania State University (2012)
** Big Ten 184 lb National Championship out of Pennsylvania State University (2013)
** Big Ten 184 lb National Championship out of Pennsylvania State University (2014)

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 11 matches | 8 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 0 |
| By submission | 0 | 2 |
| By decision | 2 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 8–3 | Taylor Johnson | Submission (inverted heel hook) | Bellator 245 | September 11, 2020 | 1 | 0:59 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Return to Middleweight. |
| Loss | 8–2 | Yaroslav Amosov | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 239 | February 21, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Jason Jackson | Decision (split) | Bellator 231 | October 25, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 7–1 | Kiichi Kunimoto | TKO (punches) | Bellator 224 | July 12, 2019 | 2 | 3:49 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 6–1 | Neiman Gracie | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 213 | December 15, 2018 | 4 | 2:17 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 6–0 | Andy Murad | TKO (punches) | Bellator 201 | June 29, 2018 | 2 | 4:59 | Temecula, California, United States | Welterweight debut. |
| Win | 5–0 | Ion Pascu | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 196 | April 6, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Budapest, Hungary | Catchweight (175 lb) bout. |
| Win | 4–0 | Chris Dempsey | KO (punch) | Bellator 186 | November 3, 2017 | 2 | 0:27 | University Park, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | David Mundell | TKO (knee to the body) | Bellator 178 | April 21, 2017 | 2 | 3:13 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Emanuele Palombi | TKO (punches) | Bellator 168 | December 10, 2016 | 1 | 1:33 | Florence, Italy | Catchweight (189 lb) bout. |
| Win | 1–0 | Dustin Collins-Miles | TKO (punches) | Bellator 163 | November 4, 2016 | 1 | 3:19 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Catchweight (192 lb) bout. |

## NCAA record

NCAA Championships Matches :
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Score | Date | Event |
| 2014 NCAA Championships at 184 lbs ||||||
| Win | 20-1 | Jimmy Sheptock | 7-2 | March 20–22, 2014 | 2014 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| Win | 19-1 | Gabe Dean | 5-3 | March 20–22, 2014 | 2014 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| Win | 18-1 | Kevin Steinhaus | MD 10-2 | March 20–22, 2014 | 2014 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| Win | 17-1 | Lazarus Reyes | TF 15-0 | March 20–22, 2014 | 2014 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| Win | 16-1 | Jackson Hein | Fall | March 20–22, 2014 | 2014 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| 2013 NCAA Championships at 184 lbs ||||||
| Win | 15-1 | Robert Hamlin | MD 12-4 | March 21–23, 2013 | 2013 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| Win | 14-1 | Steve Bosak | 4-1 | March 21–23, 2013 | 2013 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| Win | 13-1 | Josh Ihnen | MD 11-1 | March 21–23, 2013 | 2013 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| Win | 12-1 | Kevin Radford | Fall | March 21–23, 2013 | 2013 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| Win | 11-1 | Fred Garcia | Fall | March 21–23, 2013 | 2013 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| 2012 NCAA Championships at 174 lbs ||||||
| Win | 10-1 | Nick Amuchastegui | MD 13-2 | March 15–17, 2012 | 2012 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| Win | 9-1 | Logan Storley | TF 17-1 | March 15–17, 2012 | 2012 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| Win | 8-1 | Nick Heflin | 11-4 | March 15–17, 2012 | 2012 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| Win | 7-1 | Dorian Henderson | Fall | March 15–17, 2012 | 2012 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| Win | 6-1 | Jim Resnick | Fall | March 15–17, 2012 | 2012 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| 2011 NCAA Championships at 174 lbs ||||||
| Win | 5-1 | Chris Henrich | 7-2 | March 17–19, 2011 | 2011 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| Win | 4-1 | Ben Bennett | Fall | March 17–19, 2011 | 2011 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| Win | 3-1 | Luke Manuel | 7-6 | March 17–19, 2011 | 2011 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| Lose | 2-1 | Nick Amuchastegui | WDF | March 17–19, 2011 | 2011 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| Win | 2-0 | Scott Glasser | 5-3 | March 17–19, 2011 | 2011 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |
| Win | 1-0 | Royal Bettrager | Fall | March 17–19, 2011 | 2011 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |

## Freestyle record

| Res. | Record | Opponent | Score | Date | Event | Location |
| 2015 US Nationals 8th at 86kg |||||||
| Loss | 42-14 | Clayton Foster | 8-15 | December 18, 2015 | 2015 US Senior National Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Win | 42-13 | Ethen Lofthouse | TF 10-0 | December 18, 2015 | 2015 US Senior National Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Loss | 41-13 | David Taylor | TF 0-13 | December 18, 2015 | 2015 US Senior National Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Win | 41-12 | Anthony Jones | Fall | December 18, 2015 | 2015 US Senior National Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Win | 40-12 | Frank Richmond | TF 11-0 | December 18, 2015 | 2015 US Senior National Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 2015 Henri Deglane at 86kg |||||||
| Loss | 39-12 | Gheorghiță Ștefan | TF 0-10 | November 27, 2015 | 2015 Henri Deglane Challenge | Nice, France |
| Win | 39-11 | Armin Rezazadehbabaei | TF 10-0 | November 27, 2015 | 2015 Henri Deglane Challenge | Nice, France |
| Win | 38-11 | Giorgi Tigishvili | 9-1 | November 27, 2015 | 2015 Henri Deglane Challenge | Nice, France |
| 2015 Bill Farrell at 86kg |||||||
| Win | 37-11 | Jon Reader | TF 13-0 | November 7, 2015 | 2015 Bill Farrell International Open | New York City, New York |
| Win | 36-11 | Richard Perry | 5-4 | November 7, 2015 | 2015 Bill Farrell International Open | New York City, New York |
| Win | 35-11 | Robert Hamlin | TF 14-3 | November 7, 2015 | 2015 Bill Farrell International Open | New York City, New York |
| Win | 34-11 | Timmy McCall | TF 12-2 | November 7, 2015 | 2015 Bill Farrell International Open | New York City, New York |
| 2015 World Cup at 86kg |||||||
| Loss | 33-11 | Dauren Kurugliev | Fall | July 24, 2015 | 2015 Wrestling World Cup | Baku, Azerbaijan |
| Win | 33-10 | Reineris Salas | 22-13 | July 24, 2015 | 2015 Wrestling World Cup | Baku, Azerbaijan |
| 2015 US World Team Trials at 86 kg |||||||
| Loss | 32-10 | Jake Herbert | 2-10 | July 13, 2015 | 2015 US World Team Trials | Madison, Wisconsin |
| Loss | 32-9 | Jake Herbert | TF 3-13 | July 13, 2015 | 2015 US World Team Trials | Madison, Wisconsin |
| Win | 32-8 | Keith Gavin | TF 12-2 | July 13, 2015 | 2015 US World Team Trials Challenge Tournament | Madison, Wisconsin |
| Win | 31-8 | Jon Reader | 24-18 | July 13, 2015 | 2015 US World Team Trials Challenge Tournament | Madison, Wisconsin |
| Win | 30-8 | Phillip Keddy | TF 14-3 | July 13, 2015 | 2015 US World Team Trials Challenge Tournament | Madison, Wisconsin |
| 2015 ASICS US Nationals at 86kg |||||||
| Win | 29-8 | Deron Winn | TF 12-2 | May 7, 2015 | 2015 Las Vegas/ASICS US Senior National Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Win | 28-8 | Jon Reader | TF 10-0 | May 7, 2015 | 2015 Las Vegas/ASICS US Senior National Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Loss | 27-8 | Jake Herbert | 11-13 | May 7, 2015 | 2015 Las Vegas/ASICS US Senior National Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Win | 27-7 | Ryan Loder | TF 10-0 | May 7, 2015 | 2015 Las Vegas/ASICS US Senior National Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Win | 26-7 | Austin Morehead | TF 13-2 | May 7, 2015 | 2015 Las Vegas/ASICS US Senior National Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Win | 25-7 | Adam Fierro | TF 10-0 | May 7, 2015 | 2015 Las Vegas/ASICS US Senior National Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 2014 World Championship 15th at 86kg |||||||
| Loss | 24-7 | Mohammad Hossein Mohammadian | 4-7 | September 8, 2014 | 2014 World Wrestling Championships | Tashkent, Uzbekistan |
| Win | 24-6 | Yusup Melejayev | TF 12-2 | September 8, 2014 | 2014 World Wrestling Championships | Tashkent, Uzbekistan |
| 2014 Heydar Aliyev Memorial at 86kg |||||||
| Win | 23-6 | Taimuraz Friev | 5-0 | July 24, 2014 | 2014 Heydar Aliyev Memorial Golden Grand Prix | Baku, Azerbaijan |
| Loss | 22-6 | Shamil Kudiyamagomedov | 2-3 | July 24, 2014 | 2014 Heydar Aliyev Memorial Golden Grand Prix | Baku, Azerbaijan |
| Win | 22-5 | Magomiedgadży Chatijew | 4-1 | July 24, 2014 | 2014 Heydar Aliyev Memorial Golden Grand Prix | Baku, Azerbaijan |
| Win | 21-5 | Armands Zvirbulis | TF 18-4 | July 24, 2014 | 2014 Heydar Aliyev Memorial Golden Grand Prix | Baku, Azerbaijan |
| 2014 US World Team Trials at 86 kg |||||||
| Win | 20-5 | Keith Gavin | 11-7 | June 1, 2014 | 2014 US World Team Trials | Madison, Wisconsin |
| Win | 19-5 | Keith Gavin | Fall | June 1, 2014 | 2014 US World Team Trials | Madison, Wisconsin |
| Loss | 18-5 | Keith Gavin | 5-7 | June 1, 2014 | 2014 US World Team Trials | Madison, Wisconsin |
| Win | 18-4 | Clayton Foster | 7-3 | June 1, 2014 | 2014 US World Team Trials Challenge Tournament | Madison, Wisconsin |
| Win | 17-4 | Phillip Keddy | TF 14-4 | June 1, 2014 | 2014 US World Team Trials Challenge Tournament | Madison, Wisconsin |
| Win | 16-4 | Robert Hamlin | TF 13-3 | June 1, 2014 | 2014 US World Team Trials Challenge Tournament | Madison, Wisconsin |
| 2014 US Open at 86kg |||||||
| Win | 15-4 | Jon Reader | 12-11 | April 18, 2014 | 2014 U.S Open Wrestling Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Win | 14-4 | Robert Hamlin | 6-2 | April 18, 2014 | 2014 U.S Open Wrestling Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Loss | 13-4 | Clayton Foster | 13-14 | April 18, 2014 | 2014 U.S Open Wrestling Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Win | 13-3 | Phillip Keddy | 14-10 | April 18, 2014 | 2014 U.S Open Wrestling Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Win | 12-3 | Richard Perry | TF 11-1 | April 18, 2014 | 2014 U.S Open Wrestling Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Win | 11-3 | Kane Hobbs | TF 10-0 | April 18, 2014 | 2014 U.S Open Wrestling Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 2013 Universiade Games 23rd at 86kg |||||||
| Loss | 10-3 | Mohammad Hossein Mohammadian | TF 0-10 | July 11, 2013 | 2013 Summer Universiade | Tashkent, Uzbekistan |
| 2013 University Nationals at 86kg |||||||
| Win | 10-2 | Cameron Simaz | TF 10-0 | May 25, 2013 | 2013 US University National Championships | Akron, Ohio |
| Win | 9-2 | Cameron Simaz | 6-4 | May 25, 2013 | 2013 US University National Championships | Akron, Ohio |
| Win | 8-2 | Max Thomusseit | 9-8 | May 25, 2013 | 2013 US University National Championships | Akron, Ohio |
| Win | 7-2 | Kenneth Courts | 14-9 | May 25, 2013 | 2013 US University National Championships | Akron, Ohio |
| Win | 6-2 | Michael Dessino | TF 10-0 | May 25, 2013 | 2013 US University National Championships | Akron, Ohio |
| Win | 5-2 | David Chenevey | TF 10-0 | May 25, 2013 | 2013 US University National Championships | Akron, Ohio |
| Win | 4-2 | Nolan Boyd | TF 17-7 | May 25, 2013 | 2013 US University National Championships | Akron, Ohio |
| 2013 US Open 4th at 86kg |||||||
| Loss | 3-2 | Jon Reader | 7-3 | April 18, 2013 | 2013 US Open Wrestling Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Win | 3-1 | Austin Trotman | 7-3 | April 18, 2013 | 2013 US Open Wrestling Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Loss | 2-1 | Clayton Foster | 1-7 | April 18, 2013 | 2013 US Open Wrestling Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Win | 2-0 | Enock Francois | 5-0 | April 18, 2013 | 2013 US Open Wrestling Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Win | 1-0 | Daniel Bedoy | 10-4 | April 18, 2013 | 2013 US Open Wrestling Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada |

## Submission grappling record

12 Matches, 9 Wins (4 Submissions), 3 Losses (1 Submission) :
| Result | Rec. | Opponent | Method | Event | Division | Type | Year | Location |
| Loss | 9–3 | Louis Edward Kelly Ryan | Points (7-8) | 2019 IBJJF World No-Gi Championships | 91.5 kg | Nogi | December 14, 2019 | Anaheim, CA |
| Win | 9–2 | Christopher Diaz Jr | Points (2-0) | 2019 IBJJF World No-Gi Championships | 91.5 kg | Nogi | December 14, 2019 | Anaheim, CA |
| Win | 8–2 | Vincent M. Valenzuela | Submission (anaconda choke) | 2019 IBJJF World No-Gi Championships | 91.5 kg | Nogi | December 14, 2019 | Anaheim, CA |
| Loss | 7–2 | Mateus Rodrigues | Submission (armbar) | 2018 IBJJF Pan American Jiu-jitsu Championships | 74 kg | Gi (blue) | March 11, 2018 | Irvine, CA |
| Win | 7–1 | Felipe Porto Shiavon | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | 2018 IBJJF Pan American Jiu-jitsu Championships | 74 kg | Gi (blue) | March 11, 2018 | Irvine, CA |
| Win | 6–1 | Logan Ross | Points (6-0) | 2018 IBJJF Pan American Jiu-jitsu Championships | 74 kg | Gi (blue) | March 11, 2018 | Irvine, CA |
| Win | 5–1 | Derek Young | Points (14-0) | 2018 IBJJF Pan American Jiu-jitsu Championships | 74 kg | Gi (blue) | March 11, 2018 | Irvine, CA |
| Loss | 4–1 | Conner DeAngelis | Points (0-2) | 2017 IBJJF Pan American Jiu-jitsu Championships | 94 kg | Gi (blue) | March 16, 2017 | Irvine, CA |
| Win | 4–0 | Alex Sterner | Points (16-0) | 2017 IBJJF Pan American Jiu-jitsu Championships | 94 kg | Gi (blue) | March 16, 2017 | Irvine, CA |
| Win | 3–0 | Jerome Harris Jr | Points (13-0) | 2017 IBJJF Pan American Jiu-jitsu Championships | 94 kg | Gi (blue) | March 16, 2017 | Irvine, CA |
| Win | 2–0 | Kevin Fusiler | Submission (kimura) | 2017 IBJJF Pan American Jiu-jitsu Championships | 94 kg | Gi (blue) | March 16, 2017 | Irvine, CA |
| Win | 1–0 | Kristien Ruffin | Submission (armbar) | 2017 IBJJF Pan American Jiu-jitsu Championships | 94 kg | Gi (blue) | March 16, 2017 | Irvine, CA |