# 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 350 pounds (160 kg). 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 300 pounds (140 kg), 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 a Bare Knuckle FC event 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) vs. Andrei Arlovski and Randy Couture
*** Knockout of the Night (One time) vs. Tsuyoshi Kohsaka
** 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

Professional record breakdown :
| 82 matches | 54 wins | 27 losses |
| By knockout | 17 | 11 |
| By submission | 25 | 0 |
| By decision | 12 | 16 |
| No contests | 1 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 54–27 (1) | Hatef Moeil | Decision (unanimous) | Cage Fight Series 9 | February 2, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Graz, Austria | |
| Loss | 54–26 (1) | Alex Nicholson | TKO (submission to punches) | AFC 24: CamSoda Legends | April 26, 2018 | 1 | 1:27 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 54–25 (1) | Nandor Guelmino | Submission (forearm choke) | Cage Fight Series 8 | January 21, 2018 | 3 | 2:30 | Graz, Austria | Won the CFS Heavyweight Championship. |
| Loss | 53–25 (1) | Gilbert Yvel | TKO (leg kicks) | WFCA 31 | November 19, 2016 | 1 | 1:00 | Grozny, Russia | |
| Loss | 53–24 (1) | Ivan Shtyrkov | TKO (punches) | Titov Boxing Promotion: Shtyrkov vs. Rodriguez | September 9, 2016 | 1 | 1:55 | Yekaterinburg, Russia | |
| Loss | 53–23 (1) | Denis Stojnić | TKO (punches) | Bosnia Fight Championship 2 | June 13, 2015 | 2 | 0:22 | Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| Loss | 53–22 (1) | Dion Staring | TKO (retirement) | Final Fight Championship 17 | December 20, 2014 | 2 | 5:00 | Opatija, Croatia | For the FFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 53–21 (1) | Nestoras Batzelas | TKO (punches) | Final Fight Championship 10 | December 13, 2013 | 2 | 3:33 | Skopje, Macedonia | |
| NC | 52–21 (1) | Denis Stojnić | NC | Bosnian Fight Championship 1 | November 9, 2013 | 1 | 4:55 | Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina | Originally TKO loss, overturned due to early stoppage. |
| Win | 52–21 | Zelg Galešić | Submission (armbar) | Final Fight Championship 8 | October 25, 2013 | 1 | 2:10 | Zagreb, Croatia | Catchweight (95 kg). |
| Loss | 51–21 | Ian Freeman | TKO (punches) | UCFC 5: Legends of MMA | July 27, 2013 | 1 | 2:11 | Doncaster, England | |
| Loss | 51–20 | Marcin Lazarz | Decision (unanimous) | GWC: The British Invasion: US vs. UK | June 29, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 51–19 | Tomaz Simonic | Submission (armbar) | FFC: Final Fight Championship 5 | May 24, 2013 | 1 | 3:49 | Osijek, Croatia | |
| Win | 50–19 | Andreas Kraniotakes | Decision (unanimous) | CFS 7: Cage Fight Series 7 | May 12, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Unterpremstätten, Styria, Austria | |
| Loss | 49–19 | Ante Delija | Decision (unanimous) | HOG: House of Gladiators 1 | December 21, 2012 | 2 | 5:00 | Dubrovnik, Croatia | |
| Win | 49–18 | Kevin Thompson | Submission (armbar) | UWC 21: Xplosion | October 20, 2012 | 1 | 4:45 | Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England | |
| Loss | 48–18 | Stav Economou | Decision (unanimous) | Dubai FC 1: The Beginning | May 4, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | |
| Loss | 48–17 | Ruslan Magomedov | Decision (unanimous) | United Glory 15: 2012 Glory World Series | March 23, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Moscow, Moscow Oblast, Russia | |
| Loss | 48–16 | Alexander Volkov | Decision (unanimous) | BF: Baltic Challenge 3 | February 23, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Kaliningrad, Russia | |
| Loss | 48–15 | Blagoi Ivanov | TKO (retirement) | CMMAT: Chekhov MMA Tournament | December 24, 2011 | 3 | 3:33 | Chekhov, Moscow Oblast, Russia | |
| Win | 48–14 | Bashir Yamilkhanov | TKO (punches) | FEFoMP: Battle of Empires | December 17, 2011 | 2 | 2:56 | Khabarovsk, Khabarovsk Krai, Russia | |
| Loss | 47–14 | Glover Teixeira | TKO (submission to punches) | MMAAD: MMA Against Dengue | November 27, 2011 | 1 | 1:58 | Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Loss | 47–13 | Michał Kita | Decision (unanimous) | MMAA: MMA Attack | November 5, 2011 | 2 | 5:00 | Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland | |
| Loss | 47–12 | Seth Petruzelli | TKO (punches) | Bellator 48 | August 20, 2011 | 1 | 4:21 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 47–11 | Doug Williams | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Shark Fights 17: Horwich vs. Rosholt 2 | July 15, 2011 | 1 | 2:16 | Frisco, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 46–11 | James McSweeney | Decision (unanimous) | BAMMA 5: Daley vs. Shirai | February 26, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Manchester, England | |
| Win | 45–11 | Daniel Tabera | Decision (unanimous) | Israel Fighting Championship: Genesis | November 9, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Tel Aviv, Israel | |
| Win | 44–11 | John Juarez | Decision (split) | USA MMA: Stacked | July 31, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 43–11 | Bobby Martinez | Submission (heel hook) | AFA 4: Parking Lot Beatdown | July 17, 2010 | 1 | 1:03 | Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States | |
| Win | 42–11 | Ken Sparks | TKO (punches) | USA MMA: Legends | May 22, 2010 | 1 | 2:32 | Kinder, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 41–11 | Travis Fulton | KO (head kick) | CT: Cage Thug | May 1, 2010 | 1 | N/A | Waterloo, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 40–11 | Brian Ryan | TKO (punches) | XKL: Evolution 1 | March 20, 2010 | 2 | 2:05 | Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States | |
| Win | 39–11 | Patrick Miller | TKO (punches) | STFC 10: Annihilation | February 26, 2010 | 2 | 2:20 | McAllen, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 38–11 | Moise Rimbon | Decision (split) | IAFC: Mayor's Cup 2009 | November 27, 2009 | 3 | 3:00 | Novosibirsk, Novosibirsk Oblast, Russia | |
| Win | 37–11 | Justin Howard | TKO (submission to punches) | KOK 7: Judgement Day | August 29, 2009 | 1 | 2:05 | Austin, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 36–11 | John Brown | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Reality Combat: The Return | July 25, 2009 | 3 | 2:34 | Slidell, Louisiana, United States | |
| Loss | 35–11 | Mario Rinaldi | Decision (unanimous) | WFC: Battle Of The Bay 8 | July 10, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Tampa, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 35–10 | Doug Williams | Submission (anaconda choke) | Armagedon Fighting Championships 09 | June 27, 2009 | 1 | 1:02 | Tyler, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 34–10 | Jeff Monson | Decision (unanimous) | Mixed Fighting Alliance "There Will Be Blood" | December 13, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Miami, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 34–9 | Robert Beraun | Decision (unanimous) | Rage in the Cage 117 | November 8, 2008 | 3 | 3:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 33–9 | Rob Broughton | Submission (kneebar) | Cage Gladiators 9 | October 4, 2008 | 2 | 3:39 | Liverpool, England | |
| Win | 32–9 | Titus Campbell | Submission (guillotine choke) | Silver Crown Fights | August 8, 2008 | 2 | 3:06 | Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States | |
| Win | 31–9 | Johnathan Ivey | Decision (unanimous) | Xp3: The Proving Ground | July 26, 2008 | 3 | 3:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 30–9 | Chris Guillen | Submission (armbar) | Ultimate Combat Experience 1 | June 27, 2008 | 1 | 4:30 | West Valley City, Utah, United States | |
| Loss | 29–9 | Travis Wiuff | Decision (unanimous) | YAMMA Pit Fighting | April 11, 2008 | 1 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | YAMMA Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 29–8 | George Bush | Decision (unanimous) | YAMMA Pit Fighting | April 11, 2008 | 1 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | YAMMA Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Loss | 28–8 | Antônio Silva | Decision (split) | EliteXC: Street Certified | February 16, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Miami, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 28–7 | Kevin Filal | TKO (retirement) | PFP: Ring of Fire | December 9, 2007 | 1 | N/A | Manila, Philippines | |
| Loss | 27–7 | Ben Rothwell | Decision (unanimous) | IFL 2007 World Championship Finals | September 20, 2007 | 3 | 4:00 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 27–6 | Lloyd Marshbanks | TKO (punches) | MMA Xtreme 13 | July 28, 2007 | 1 | 3:11 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Win | 26–6 | Imani Lee | Submission (rear-naked choke) | BIB: Beatdown in Bakersfield | November 17, 2006 | 1 | 2:12 | Bakersfield, California, United States | |
| Win | 25–6 | Abdias Irisson | TKO (punches) | MMA Xtreme 7 | November 11, 2006 | 1 | N/A | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Win | 24–6 | Ron Waterman | TKO (doctor stoppage) | WFA: King of the Streets | July 22, 2006 | 1 | 5:00 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Win | 23–6 | Taylor Brooks | Submission (armbar) | MMA Xtreme 1 | March 25, 2006 | 1 | N/A | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Loss | 22–6 | Robert Beraun | Decision (unanimous) | RITC 78: Back with a Vengeance | January 14, 2006 | 3 | 3:00 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 22–5 | Tyler Brooks | Submission (armbar) | Pro Fight League | December 9, 2005 | 1 | 4:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 21–5 | David Mori | Decision (unanimous) | MMA Fighting Challenge 4 | December 3, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Guadalajara, Mexico | |
| Win | 20–5 | Corey Salter | Submission (armbar) | Ultimate Texas Showdown 3 | November 26, 2005 | 2 | 0:17 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 19–5 | Jimmy Ambriz | TKO (submission to punches) | WEC 17 | October 14, 2005 | 1 | 4:13 | Lemoore, California, United States | |
| Loss | 18–5 | Ron Waterman | Decision (unanimous) | WEC 16 | August 18, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Lemoore, California, United States | For the WEC Super Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 18–4 | Andy Montana | Submission (armbar) | Independent event | July 15, 2005 | 1 | 1:50 | Fountain Hills, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 17–4 | Ruben Villareal | Submission (armbar) | Extreme Wars: X-1 | July 2, 2005 | 1 | 2:38 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Win | 16–4 | Scott Junk | Submission (front choke) | Rumble on the Rock 7 | May 7, 2005 | 2 | 0:42 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Win | 15–4 | Mike Seal | Submission (rear-naked choke) | MMA Mexico: Day 2 | December 18, 2004 | 1 | 1:06 | Ciudad Juárez, Mexico | |
| Loss | 14–4 | Pedro Rizzo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 45 | November 21, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Loss | 14–3 | Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira | Decision (unanimous) | PRIDE Total Elimination 2003 | August 10, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 14–2 | Tim Sylvia | TKO (punches) | UFC 41 | February 28, 2003 | 1 | 3:09 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Lost the UFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 14–1 | Randy Couture | TKO (submission to elbow) | UFC 39 | September 27, 2002 | 5 | 3:04 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Won the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–1 | Tsuyoshi Kohsaka | TKO (punches) | UFC 37 | May 10, 2002 | 2 | 3:25 | Bossier City, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 12–1 | Jeff Monson | TKO (punches) | UFC 35 | January 11, 2002 | 3 | 3:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 11–1 | Pete Williams | TKO (punches) | UFC 34 | November 2, 2001 | 2 | 4:02 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 10–1 | Andrei Arlovski | TKO (punches) | UFC 32 | June 29, 2001 | 3 | 1:23 | East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 9–1 | Paul Buentello | Submission (kneebar) | KOTC 7: Wet and Wild | February 24, 2001 | 2 | 4:21 | San Jacinto, California, United States | Won the KOTC Openweight Superfight Championship. |
| Win | 8–1 | John Marsh | Decision (unanimous) | PRIDE 12 | December 23, 2000 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 7–1 | Giant Ochiai | Submission (smother choke) | PRIDE 10 | August 27, 2000 | 1 | 6:04 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 6–1 | Gary Goodridge | Decision (unanimous) | PRIDE 9 | June 4, 2000 | 2 | 10:00 | Nagoya, Japan | |
| Win | 5–1 | Travis Fulton | Submission (armbar) | KOTC 2: Desert Storm | February 5, 2000 | 1 | 4:49 | San Jacinto, California, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Sam Adkins | Submission (forearm choke) | Armageddon 2 | November 23, 1999 | 1 | 4:32 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 3–1 | Bobby Hoffman | KO (punches) | SuperBrawl 13 | September 7, 1999 | 1 | 3:13 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Steve Shaw | Submission (armbar) | Rage in the Cage 6 | July 10, 1999 | 1 | 1:34 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Rocky Batastini | Submission (armbar) | Extreme Cage | March 25, 1999 | 1 | 4:58 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Scott Adams | Decision | Extreme Cage | March 25, 1999 | 3 | 4:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |

## Bare knuckle record

Professional record breakdown :
| 1 match | 1 win | 0 losses |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Win | 1–0 | Lewis Rumsey | Decision (unanimous) | BKFC 1: The Beginning | June 2, 2018 | 5 | 2:00 | Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States | |