# Ryan Roberts (mixed martial artist)

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 Omaha 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 (vs. L.C. Davis, Chase Beebe, Jeremy Spoon, Ramiro Hernandez.)
* Fury Fights
** FF Lightweight Championship (One time)
* The Cage Incorporated
** TCI Featherweight Championship (One time)

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 35 matches | 21 wins | 12 losses |
| By knockout | 9 | 3 |
| By submission | 2 | 6 |
| By decision | 10 | 3 |
| Draws | 1 | 1 |
| No contests | 1 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 21–12–1 (1) | Robert Emerson | TKO (knee injury) | VFC 54: Pitolo vs. Kayne 2 | December 9, 2016 | 1 | 1:34 | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | Lost the VFC Featherweight Championship. |
| Loss | 21–11–1 (1) | Adam Townsend | Decision (unanimous) | RFA 30: Smith vs. Jardine | September 18, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Lincoln, Nebraska, United States | |
| Win | 21–10–1 (1) | Ramiro Hernandez | KO (punches) | VFC: Victory Fighting Championship 46 | July 25, 2015 | 1 | 2:12 | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | Defended the VFC Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 20–10–1 (1) | Jeremy Spoon | Technical Decision (split) | VFC: Fight Night Harrahs 1 | September 12, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | Defended the VFC Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 19–10–1 (1) | Chase Beebe | Decision (unanimous) | VFC: Victory Fighting Championship 42 | March 15, 2014 | 5 | 5:00 | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | Defended the VFC Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 18–10–1 (1) | L.C. Davis | Decision (split) | VFC: Victory Fighting Championship 41 | December 14, 2013 | 5 | 5:00 | Ralston, Nebraska, United States | |
| Win | 17–10–1 (1) | Josh Arocho | Decision (unanimous) | VFC: Victory Fighting Championship 38 | December 15, 2012 | 5 | 5:00 | Ralston, Nebraska, United States | Won the VFC Featherweight Championship. |
| Loss | 16–10–1 (1) | Zach Makovsky | Submission (north-south choke) | Bellator LIV | October 15, 2011 | 1 | 4:48 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Draw | 16–9–1 (1) | Rick Glenn | Draw | MCC 35: Brawl at the Hall | August 5, 2011 | 5 | 5:00 | Des Moines, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 16–9 (1) | Nick Mamalis | Decision (unanimous) | The Cage Inc.: Battle at the Border 9 | April 23, 2011 | 5 | 5:00 | Hankinson, North Dakota, United States | Won the TCI Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–9 (1) | Dennis Davis | Decision (unanimous) | EB: Beatdown at 4 Bears 8 | March 12, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | New Town, North Dakota, United States | |
| Win | 14–9 (1) | Jeff Lentz | Decision (unanimous) | Extreme Challenge: Bad Blood | February 11, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| Loss | 13–9 (1) | Eric Marriott | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator XXXII | October 14, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 13–8 (1) | Eric Marriott | Decision (unanimous) | VFC 32: Dober vs. Seipel 2 | July 30, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 12–8 (1) | Chaz Haag | TKO (punches) | CFX / XKL: Mayhem in Minneapolis | April 24, 2010 | 1 | 0:20 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 11–8 (1) | Chris Mickle | KO (slam) | Midtown Productions: Mayhem at Mancuso | April 2, 2010 | 1 | 3:50 | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | |
| Loss | 10–8 (1) | Duane Ludwig | TKO (submission to punches) | ROF 36: Demolition | December 4, 2009 | 1 | 2:05 | Denver, Colorado, United States | |
| Loss | 10–7 (1) | Eric Marriott | Decision (unanimous) | TFC 14: Titan Fighting Championship 14 | October 2, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | |
| Loss | 10–6 (1) | Jonathan Murphy | TKO (punches) | XFO: Xtreme Fighting Organization 28 | February 27, 2009 | 1 | 2:24 | Lakemoor, Illinois, United States | |
| Loss | 10–5 (1) | Joe Wilk | Submission (guillotine choke) | VFC 26: Onslaught | February 20, 2009 | 1 | 3:06 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| Loss | 10–4 (1) | John Mahlow | Submission | AE: Atomic Enterprizes | September 6, 2008 | 2 | 2:10 | Sarasota, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 10–3 (1) | Marcus Aurelio | Submission (armbar) | UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Lauzon | April 2, 2008 | 1 | 0:16 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 10–2 (1) | Joe Doherty | Decision (unanimous) | VFC 22: Ascension | February 29, 2008 | 5 | 5:00 | | |
| Win | 9–2 (1) | Zach Wolff | TKO (punches) | VFC 22: Ascension | February 29, 2008 | 2 | 2:23 | | |
| Loss | 8–2 (1) | Alonzo Martinez | Submission | VFC 20: Aces | September 7, 2007 | 1 | N/A | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 (1) | Rocky Johnson | Decision (split) | Battlequest 6: Shootout | July 21, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Eagle, Colorado, United States | |
| NC | 7–1 (1) | Zac George | No Contest | IFO: Eastman vs. Kimmons | July 7, 2007 | 1 | 2:09 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 7–1 | Eugene Crisler | TKO (punches) | XFO: Xtreme Fighting Organization 18 | June 30, 2007 | 2 | 1:37 | Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 6–1 | Alex Rutter | KO (punches) | VFC 19: Inferno | May 18, 2007 | 1 | 3:22 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 5–1 | Jake Burriola | Submission (keylock) | GFC 1: Genesis | April 20, 2007 | 2 | 3:19 | Des Moines, Iowa, United States | |
| Loss | 4–1 | Donald Cerrone | Submission (armbar) | ROF 28: Evolution | February 16, 2007 | 1 | 1:49 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Josh Smidt | Submission (rear-naked choke) | RFN 2: Royalty Fight Night 2 | February 10, 2007 | 2 | 1:37 | Emmetsburg, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Ryan Heckert | TKO (punches) | VFC 17: Predators | December 9, 2006 | 1 | 1:15 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Tony Hawkins | TKO (punches) | Fury Fights: Battle in Brookings 1 | December 2, 2006 | 1 | 2:18 | South Dakota, United States, United States | Won the Fury Fights Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 1–0 | Nick Wright | TKO (submission to punches) | AFC 9: Fresh Meat | August 25, 2006 | 1 | N/A | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | |

## Bare knuckle boxing record

Professional record breakdown :
| 2 matches | 1 win | 1 loss |
| By knockout | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 0 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 1–1 | Bobby Taylor | Decision (unanimous) | BKFC Fight Night: Omaha | May 17, 2024 | 5 | 2:00 | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Jorge Gonzalez | KO (punch) | BKFC 21 | September 10, 2021 | 2 | 0:29 | Omaha, Nebraska, United States |