# Ron Sparks (fighter)

Ron Sparks (born November 23, 1974) was an American mixed martial artist, who formerly competed in Bellator's Strikeforce K-1 King of the cage Revolution fight league American fight league Heavyweight division.

## Background

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Sparks was introduced to combat sports through his father, a Vietnam War veteran who also worked as a martial arts instructor in the military. Sparks himself began training when he was seven years old, before transitioning into kickboxing when he was a teenager and became a sparring partner for various local boxers and kickboxers. Sparks then embarked on his own career in kickboxing, before finally switching over to MMA. Sparks was also owner of a general contracting company, A-Ron Construction, based in Louisville, Kentucky; servicing all aspects of home improvement needs.

## Early career

Sparks made his professional MMA debut on June 17, 2006, defeating Heath Zimmerman via KO at Caged Inferno 2. Following this impressive win, Sparks would compile an undefeated record of 5–0 before being signed by Bellator MMA in June 2010.

### Bellator MMA

Sparks made his Bellator debut in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, at Bellator 30, which he won by knockout after just 50 seconds. He then fought veteran Vince Lucero at Bellator 43 on May 7, 2011, which he won via first-round submission.
Sparks entered into the Bellator Season Five Heavyweight Tournament. In the opening round, he faced Mark Holata at Bellator 52 and won via knockout in the first round. Sparks then faced Eric Prindle in the semifinals and lost via knockout in the first round.
Sparks will compete in the Bellator Season Seven Heavyweight Tournament, and was expected to face Mark Godbeer in the quarterfinals at Bellator 75.
Sparks faced Vitaly Minakov on June 19, 2013, at Bellator 96 in the opening round of the Heavyweight Tournament. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.
Sparks made his next appearance for Bellator at Bellator 105 on October 25, 2013, facing fellow kickboxer Mighty Mo. Sparks lost via submission in the first round.
Sparks was released from Bellator on August 25, 2014.

### Other promotions

Sparks was expected to face Josh Walker at Hardrock MMA 60 on February 1, 2014. However, in the weeks leading up to the event, the fight was taken off of the card for unknown reasons. Sparks was expected to face Jeremy May on September 20, 2014, at Square Ring Promotions: Island Fights 30. However, the fight was cancelled for unknown reasons.

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 11 matches | 8 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 2 |
| By submission | 1 | 1 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 8–3 | Mighty Mo | Submission (Keylock) | Bellator 105 | October 25, 2013 | 1 | 2:52 | Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States | |
| Loss | 8–2 | Vitaly Minakov | TKO (punches) | Bellator 96 | June 19, 2013 | 1 | 0:32 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | Bellator Summer Series 2013 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal |
| Loss | 8–1 | Eric Prindle | KO (punch) | Bellator 56 | October 29, 2011 | 1 | 0:40 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | Bellator Season Five Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal |
| Win | 8–0 | Mark Holata | KO (punches) | Bellator 52 | October 1, 2011 | 1 | 1:24 | Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States | Bellator Season Five Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal |
| Win | 7–0 | Vince Lucero | Submission (Keylock) | Bellator 43 | May 7, 2011 | 1 | 2:18 | Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Gregory Maynard | KO (punch) | Bellator 30 | September 23, 2010 | 1 | 0:50 | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Johnathan Ivey | Decision (unanimous) | RFL: Maximum Impact | June 27, 2009 | 4 | 5.00 | Hammond, Indiana, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Geoffrey Meisner | TKO (punches) | Colosseo Championship Fighting | March 6, 2009 | 1 | 1:07 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
| Win | 3–0 | TC Shane | KO (punches) | Caged Inferno 3 | September 30, 2006 | 1 | 0:36 | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Aaron Schenk | TKO (punches) | Clash in the Cage 1 | July 29, 2006 | 1 | 0:24 | Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Heath Zimmerman | KO (punches) | Caged Inferno 2 | June 17, 2006 | 1 | 0:17 | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | |

## Kickboxing record

Legend: Win  Loss  Draw/No contest