Ricco_Rodriguez

Ricco Rodriguez

Ricco Rodriguez

American mixed martial arts fighter

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.

This article is about the martial artist. For those of a similar name, see Rico Rodriguez.
Quick Facts Born, Other names ...

Early life

Rodriguez was born in San Jose, California and grew up in the projects in Paterson, New Jersey.[3] 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.[4]

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.[5] 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[6] 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."[7]

Following his win against Imani Lee on November 17, 2006, Rodriguez was put under indefinite suspension by the California State Athletic Commission.[8] 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.[9]

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.[10] 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.[11]

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.[12]

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.[13] His first fight for the promotion was at FFC05: Rodriguez vs. Simonič event on May 24. 2013, when he fought Slovenian Tomaž Simonič.[14] 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.[15][16][17]

In his next fight, Rodriguez faced Nestoras Batzelas at Final Fight Championship 10 on December 13, 2013. He won the fight via TKO.[18] He then faced Dion Staring for the FFC Heavyweight Championship at Final Fight Championship 17 on December 20, 2014.[19] 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.[20] 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.[21]

Rodriguez has appeared on season one of the VH1 reality television show Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, which documented his struggle with substance abuse.[22]

Personal life

Rodriguez has a daughter and one son.[23][24]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

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
More information Res., Record ...

Bare knuckle record

Professional record breakdown
1 match 1 win 0 losses
By decision 1 0
More information Res., Record ...

References

  1. [1]
    "Ricco Rodriguez Biography". January 5, 2016.
  2. [2]
    "Ricco Rodriguez's Tapology Profile". tapology.com. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  3. [3]
    Chris Robinson (December 17, 2008). "The Everlasting Effect of Ricco Rodriguez". .com/. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011.
  4. [4]
    "Ricco "Suave" Rodriguez". PriceFC. Archived from the original on June 18, 2008. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
  5. [5]
    "IBJJF Mundials results 1997". www.ibjjf.org. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
  6. [6]
    "ADCC 1999 Absolute". adcombat.com/. Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  7. [7]
    Bliss, Kim. "WFA 07/21/2006". BoutReviewsUSA.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2009. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
  8. [8]
    Cotterill, Andy (January 12, 2007). "Suspension forces Ricco off Rumble In the Cage". Sherdog.com. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
  9. [9]
    Trembow, Ivan (February 16, 2007). "In-Depth: Commission Hearings for Randleman, Yvel, Alves, Toughill, & Carvalho". MMAWeekly.com. Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
  10. [10]
    "Rodriguez to replace Randleman against Monson". MMAFighting.com. June 5, 2008. Archived from the original on June 6, 2008. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
  11. [11]
    "Former UFC Champion Ricco Rodriguez Sets Up Bout With Jeff Monson". MMAWeekly.com. November 9, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  12. [12]
    "BAMMA 5 Weigh-in Results and Pics: Paul Daley and Ricco Rodriguez Miss Weight". MMAWeekly.com. February 25, 2011.
  13. [13]
    "FFC potpisao ugovor s bivšim UFC prvakom Riccom Rodriguezom!". FightSite.hr. April 15, 2013. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013.
  14. [14]
    Bivši UFC-ov prvak Ricco Rodriguez debitira za FFC u Osijeku Archived June 10, 2013, at the Wayback Machine (in Croatian)
  15. [15]
    "Čudnom sudijskom odlukom Stojnić savladao Rodrigueza (FOTO)".
  16. [16]
    Katastrofalna odluka suca u Sarajevu: Stojnić pobijedio Rodrigueza! Archived November 12, 2013, at the Wayback Machine (in Croatian)
  17. [17]
    Sudac koji je poklonio pobjedu Stojniću: Moja odluka je poništena, pogriješio sam! Archived November 13, 2013, at the Wayback Machine (in Croatian)
  18. [18]
    "Final Fight Championship 10 Official Results". mixedmartialarts.com. December 13, 2013.
  19. [19]
    "Dion Staring and Ricco Rodriguez to fight for the FFC heavyweight title". sherdog.com. October 14, 2014.
  20. [20]
    "Beyond the Octagon: former champ Ricco Rodriguez returns, Bellator's Stepanyan KOs UFC's Yagin". bloodyelbow.com. December 25, 2014.
  21. [21]
    Ristow, Richard (December 25, 2003). "The Smashing Machine DVD Review". MMARingReport.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
  22. [22]
    "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, Season 1, Cast Bios". VH1.com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2009. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
  23. [23]
    "Interview with Mr Suave, Ricco Rodriguez". TRIPOD.com. April 26, 2001. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
  24. [24]
    "Positive energy helps Ricco Rodriguez battle the odds". TBO.com. July 10, 2009. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
  25. [25]
    СТОЛИЦА СИЛЫ (March 7, 2017). "Иван Штырков vs Рикко Родригез / Ivan Shtirkov vs Ricco Rodriguez". Archived from the original on December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
Preceded by UFC Heavyweight champion
September 27, 2002 – February 28, 2003		 Succeeded by
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