# Rich Clementi

Richard Thomas Clementi (born March 31, 1977) is a former American mixed martial artist. Clementi has fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championships, Bellator, K-1 Hero's DREAM, King of the Cage, and Titan FC.

## Background

Clementi was born in Edison, New Jersey but moved frequently during his childhood along with his mother, as a result of her divorcing Clementi's stepfather. His passion from an early age was in wrestling but most of the schools that he attended did not have programs for the sport. Clementi enjoyed watching the UFC, which was in its early stages while he was growing up. He moved out of the house at age 15 and eventually settled back in New Jersey for his senior year of high school where he began wrestling again, going 15–2 in his senior year, but admits that he "wasn't very technical." Though he was a standout prep wrestler, Clementi joined the military out of high school and served in the United States Navy's Construction Battalion. He served in the military for eight years.

## Mixed martial arts career
### Ultimate Fighting Championship

Clementi began his professional career in 1999 and amassed a 13–6 record before making his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debut at UFC 41, where he lost by submission to Yves Edwards. Clementi continued to fight in smaller promotions before appearing as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 4 reality show, which focused on promising fighters that had not succeeded in their UFC careers. With the namesake of "Team No Love" Clementi lost his preliminary bout against Shonie Carter by unanimous decision. He appeared on the undercard of the season finale as a lightweight, but lost by rear naked choke submission to Din Thomas.
Despite his losses, Clementi continued to appear in the UFC. He secured his first victory in the promotion via rear naked choke submission against Ross Pointon at UFC Fight Night 8, although the fight was not aired during the broadcast. After losing to Roan Carneiro at UFC Fight Night 9, Clementi alternated between appearing in the UFC and smaller promotions. He took a fight with Anthony Johnson at UFC 76 on two weeks' notice and won by rear naked choke submission. With the win, Clementi improved his official UFC record to 2–3.
Clementi followed up with a win at UFC 79 against Melvin Guillard. Guillard tapped from a rear naked choke. Prior to the match, Clementi and Guillard engaged in a war of words.
In the span of a month, Clementi racked up two more victories against Sam Stout and Terry Etim at UFC 83 and UFC 84 respectively. By this time, Clementi was riding a four-win streak in the UFC and a six-win streak in his career. The streak ended at UFC 90, where he lost to Gray Maynard by unanimous decision. Clementi followed up with an appearance at UFC Fight Night: Lauzon vs. Stephens, where he lost to Gleison Tibau by guillotine choke. With his second consecutive loss in the UFC, Clementi was cut from the promotion's roster.

### Independent Promotions

On June 27, 2009, Clementi was in the main event for the first ever MMA fight in Pennsylvania. The promotion company UCFC held its "Rumble on the Rivers" event in Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena. Clementi was unable to continue the fight after only 40 seconds into the first round because of a broken collar bone after a takedown and the ringside doctor stopped the fight.
On November 29, 2009, Clementi headlined the event "Cage Wars: Nightmare" in Belfast, Northern Ireland and fought local prospect Chris Stringer, defeating him by triangle choke in the second round, after dominating the fight. Clementi followed that win by headlining the Team 3:16 – Season's Beatings Event in Shreveport, Louisiana, defeating Derrick Krantz in the first round via armbar.
On January 16 at the 5150 Fight League's "The New Year's Revolution" show Clementi defeated WEC veteran Mike Budnik via rear naked choke to win the 5150 Combat League Lightweight Championship and improving his record upon being cut from the UFC to 4–1.

### Bellator Fighting Championships

Clementi was signed by Bellator and made his debut at Bellator 28 against Carey Vanier in a Bellator Lightweight tournament Qualifying bout, He lost by split decision.
On May 25, 2012, Clementi returned to Bellator at Bellator 70, he defeated Derek Campos by guillotine choke in round one.
Clementi faced Alexander Sarnavskiy on October 19, 2012 at Bellator 77 in a Lightweight Tournament Quarter Final bout. He won the fight by split decision.
Clementi faced Marcin Held in the Semifinals on November 16, 2012 at Bellator 81 and lost via toe hold submission in the second round.
On November 19, 2012 Clementi announced his retirement after competing in MMA for 13 years.
On July 24, 2013, Clementi announced he has come out of retirement and returned to Bellator to complete in the promotions Season Nine Lightweight Tournament, He was set to face UK Fighter Rob Sinclair on September 27, 2013 at Bellator 101 in the Quarterfinals. But on September 10, 2013, it was announced that Sinclair had to pull out of the fight due to a knee injury and was replaced by Ricardo Tirloni. He lost via unanimous decision.

## Personal life

Clementi spent eight years in the military with the Navy Seabees and was mobilized as a reservist after 9/11. He also runs "Rich Clementi's Gladiator Gym" in his hometown of Slidell, Louisiana. Clementi is divorced from his first wife and has two sons and a daughter with his second wife, Mandi.

## Championships and accomplishments

* 5150 Combat League / Xtreme Fighting League
** 5150 Combat League Lightweight Championship (One time)

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 69 matches | 45 wins | 23 losses |
| By knockout | 13 | 5 |
| By submission | 23 | 8 |
| By decision | 9 | 10 |
| Draws | 1 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 45–23–1 | Ricardo Tirloni | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 101 | September 27, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Portland, Oregon, United States | Bellator Season Nine Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Loss | 45–22–1 | Marcin Held | Submission (toe hold) | Bellator 81 | November 16, 2012 | 2 | 3:04 | Kingston, Rhode Island, United States | Bellator Season Seven Lightweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 45–21–1 | Alexander Sarnavskiy | Decision (split) | Bellator 77 | October 19, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Reading, Pennsylvania, United States | Bellator Season Seven Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 44–21–1 | Robert Washington | Submission (guillotine choke) | Rogue Warrior Championships | June 16, 2012 | 3 | 3:51 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 43–21–1 | Derek Campos | Submission (guillotine choke) | Bellator 70 | May 25, 2012 | 1 | 4:18 | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | 157 lb Catchweight. |
| Loss | 42–21–1 | Chris Clements | TKO (punches) | Score Fighting Series 3: Meltdown in the Valley | December 3, 2011 | 3 | 3:17 | Sarnia, Ontario, Canada | Welterweight bout. |
| Win | 42–20–1 | Ronnie Rogers | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Victory Promotions: Clementi vs. Rogers | November 12, 2011 | 2 | 1:05 | Lowell, Massachusetts, United States | |
| Loss | 41–20–1 | Shinya Aoki | Submission (neck crank) | Dream: Fight for Japan! | May 29, 2011 | 2 | 2:32 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | Non-title bout. |
| Loss | 41–19–1 | Reza Madadi | Decision (unanimous) | Superior Challenge 7 | April 30, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Stockholm, Sweden | For Superior Challenge Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 41–18–1 | Josh Hinkle | Decision (unanimous) | TCF: Rogue Warrior Championships | April 8, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | El Paso, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 40–18–1 | Aaron Derrow | Technical Submission (triangle choke) | Titan FC 16: Sylvia vs. Wagner | January 28, 2011 | 3 | 3:35 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | 165 lb. Catchweight bout. |
| Win | 40–17–1 | Felipe Enomoto | Submission (armbar) | Cage Wars 13: Validation | December 10, 2010 | 3 | 4:25 | Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
| Loss | 39–17–1 | Carey Vanier | Decision (split) | Bellator 28 | September 9, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | Bellator Lightweight Tournament Qualifier. |
| Win | 39–16–1 | Lenny Nelson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | SFC: Hostile Validation | July 31, 2010 | 1 | 3:32 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 38–16–1 | Glen Cordoza | Submission (armbar) | CFC: Full Force | June 25, 2010 | 2 | 2:21 | Lafayette, Louisiana, United States | |
| Loss | 37–16–1 | Quinn Mulhern | TKO (punches) | KOTC: Vengeance | February 12, 2010 | 2 | 3:09 | Mescalero, New Mexico, United States | Welterweight bout. |
| Win | 37–15–1 | Mike Budnik | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Xtreme Fighting League: New Year's Revolution | January 16, 2010 | 5 | 2:10 | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States | Won 5150 Combat League Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 36–15–1 | Derrick Krantz | Submission (armbar) | Team 3:16 MMA: Season's Beatings | December 12, 2009 | 1 | 4:54 | Shreveport, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 35–15–1 | Chris Stringer | Submission (triangle choke) | CWC: Nightmare | November 29, 2009 | 2 | 3:11 | Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
| Loss | 34–15–1 | Kyle Jensen | TKO (injury) | UCFC Rumble on the Rivers | June 27, 2009 | 1 | 0:40 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States | Welterweight bout. |
| Win | 34–14–1 | Omar Zapata | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Adrenaline MMA 3: Bragging Rights | June 13, 2009 | 1 | 4:16 | Birmingham, Alabama, United States | Welterweight bout. |
| Loss | 33–14–1 | Gleison Tibau | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC Fight Night: Lauzon vs. Stephens | February 7, 2009 | 1 | 4:35 | Tampa, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 33–13–1 | Gray Maynard | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 90 | October 25, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Rosemont, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 33–12–1 | Terry Etim | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 84 | May 24, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 32–12–1 | Sam Stout | Decision (split) | UFC 83 | April 19, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
| Win | 31–12–1 | Melvin Guillard | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 79 | December 29, 2007 | 1 | 4:40 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 30–12–1 | Antoine Skinner | TKO (submission to punches) | NLE: Punishment at the PMAC | October 13, 2007 | 1 | 1:46 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States | Return to Lightweight. |
| Win | 29–12–1 | Anthony Johnson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 76 | September 22, 2007 | 2 | 3:05 | Anaheim, California, United States | |
| Win | 28–12–1 | Kyle Gibbons | Submission (rear-naked choke) | IFO: Wiuff vs. Salmon | September 1, 2007 | 1 | 2:18 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 27–12–1 | Roan Carneiro | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Stevenson vs. Guillard | April 5, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 27–11–1 | Ross Pointon | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Evans vs. Salmon | January 25, 2007 | 2 | 4:53 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | Return to Welterweight. |
| Loss | 26–11–1 | Din Thomas | Submission (rear-naked choke) | The Ultimate Fighter: The Comeback Finale | November 11, 2006 | 2 | 3:11 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 26–10–1 | Caol Uno | Decision (unanimous) | Hero's 4 | March 15, 2006 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 26–9–1 | Brian Dunn | TKO (punches) | Battle at the Boardwalk | February 17, 2006 | 1 | 4:48 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 25–9–1 | Fabio Holanda | TKO (punches) | TKO 24: Eruption | January 28, 2006 | 3 | 4:20 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
| Win | 24–9–1 | Ryan Schultz | Submission (armbar) | Absolute Fighting Championships 14 | December 10, 2005 | 1 | 3:39 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 23–9–1 | Chris Mickle | TKO (punches) | Extreme Challenge 64 | October 15, 2005 | 1 | 2:51 | Osceola, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 22–9–1 | Daisuke Hanazawa | Decision (unanimous) | Euphoria: USA vs World | February 26, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 21–9–1 | Henry Matamoros | Decision (unanimous) | Euphoria: Road to the Titles | October 15, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 20–9–1 | Tom Kirk | Submission (rear-naked choke) | RCF: Showdown | July 17, 2004 | 1 | N/A | Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | |
| Win | 19–9–1 | Eddie Yagin | TKO (doctor stoppage) | PXC 2: Chaos | May 22, 2004 | 3 | N/A | Mangilao, Guam | |
| Win | 18–9–1 | Sergey Golyaev | Submission (triangle choke) | Euphoria: Russia vs USA | March 13, 2004 | 2 | 3:43 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Loss | 17–9–1 | David Gardner | Decision (unanimous) | Freestyle Fighting Championships 8 | March 5, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | |
| Loss | 17–8–1 | Marcus Aurélio | TKO (eye injury) | ZST: Grand Prix Final Round | January 11, 2004 | 1 | 0:40 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 17–7–1 | Tomomi Iwama | Decision (unanimous) | ZST: Grand Prix Final Round | January 11, 2004 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 16–7–1 | Naoyuki Kotani | Decision (unanimous) | ZST: Grand Prix Final Round | January 11, 2004 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 15–7–1 | Aloisio Barros | Decision (unanimous) | ZST: Grand Prix Opening Round | November 23, 2003 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 14–7–1 | Hiroki Kotani | Draw | ZST 4: The Battle Field 4 | September 7, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 14–7 | Jon Weidler | KO (knee) | FFC 6: No Love | July 11, 2003 | 1 | 0:35 | Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | |
| Loss | 13–7 | Yves Edwards | Submission (rear naked choke) | UFC 41 | February 28, 2003 | 3 | 4:07 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 13–6 | James Meals | TKO (punches) | Tuesday Night Fights | December 17, 2002 | 1 | 1:55 | Davenport, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 12–6 | Isaias Martinez | TKO (broken nose) | RFC 1: The Beginning | July 13, 2002 | 1 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 11–6 | Joe Jordan | Submission (armbar) | Freestyle Fighting Championships 2 | May 4, 2002 | 1 | 2:05 | Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | |
| Win | 10–6 | Justin James | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Rock 'N' Rumble 1 | December 29, 2001 | 2 | 1:20 | United States | |
| Win | 9–6 | Cedric Stewart | Submission (rear naked choke) | Extreme Challenge 44 | September 15, 2001 | 1 | 2:23 | Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 8–6 | Warren Donley | KO (punches) | RCF 11 | May 10, 2001 | 2 | 0:30 | United States | |
| Win | 7–6 | Danny Payne | Submission (neck crank) | RCF 10 | March 31, 2001 | 1 | 1:37 | Houma, Louisiana, United States | Drops to Lightweight |
| Win | 6–6 | Edwin Allseitz | Submission (kimura) | DFC: Submission Grappling Championships | March 17, 2001 | 1 | 3:36 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 5–6 | Jeremy Jiminez | Submission (armbar) | DFC: Submission Grappling Championships | March 17, 2001 | 1 | 2:15 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 4–6 | Pete Spratt | TKO (doctor stoppage) | RCF 9 | January 27, 2001 | 1 | N/A | Houma, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 4–5 | Charles Bennett | TKO (submission to punches) | WEF: Rumble at the Rodeo 1 | December 16, 2000 | 1 | N/A | United States | |
| Loss | 3–5 | Steve Berger | Submission (armbar) | Dangerzone: Insane In Ft. Wayne | November 25, 2000 | 1 | 3:14 | Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States | |
| Loss | 3–4 | Rick McCoy | Decision | Dangerzone: Night of the Beast | October 28, 2000 | 2 | 15:00 | Lynchburg, Virginia, United States | |
| Loss | 3–3 | Ben Earwood | Submission (armbar) | EC 36: Extreme Challenge 36 | August 26, 2000 | 1 | 8:32 | Davenport, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 3–2 | Dymitrius Wilson | TKO (punches) | WVF: Cage Brawl | August 19, 2000 | 1 | 4:40 | Chalmette, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 2–2 | Aristides Britto | TKO (submission to punches) | RCF 6: Reality Combat Fighting 6 | June 24, 2000 | 1 | 2:19 | Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States | Welterweight bout. |
| Win | 1–2 | Scott Melia | TKO (submission to punches) | RCF 6: Reality Combat Fighting 6 | June 24, 2000 | 1 | 1:28 | Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States | |
| Loss | 0–2 | Rick Thompson | Decision | RCF 3: Return of the Rage | January 28, 2000 | 1 | 18:00 | Metairie, Louisiana, United States | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Chris Seifert | Decision (unanimous) | WEF 7: Stomp in the Swamp | October 9, 1999 | 3 | 2:00 | Kenner, Louisiana, United States | |

## Professional boxing record

| 1 fight | 0 wins | 1 loss |
| By decision | 0 | 1 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 1 | Loss | 0–1 | Martin Verdin | MD | 4 | May 27, 2004 | Alario Center, Westwego, Louisiana | Professional debut |

## Filmography

* 2012 — Dragon Eyes
* 2012- Philly Kid-Sanchez