32 Facts About Ricco Rodriguez

Ricco Rodriguez was born on August 19,1977 and is an American semi-retired mixed martial artist currently competing in the heavyweight division.

Ricco Rodriguez is the former King of the Cage World Heavyweight Champion.

Ricco Rodriguez was born in San Jose, CA and grew up in the projects in Paterson, New Jersey.

Ricco Rodriguez wrestled at Tottenville High School while living in Staten Island, New York.

Ricco Rodriguez later moved to California and began training in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Rigan and Jean Jacques Machado.

Ricco Rodriguez competed and won many Jiu-Jitsu tournaments before moving on to mixed martial arts.

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.

That same year Ricco Rodriguez began his MMA career with a win against Rocky Batastini.

Ricco Rodriguez won several of his first matches before losing to Bobby Hoffman at the Superbrawl 13 event in Hawaii.

Ricco Rodriguez later fought in the PRIDE Fighting Championship before moving on to the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Ricco Rodriguez 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.

Ricco Rodriguez went on to beat Williams, Jeff Monson and Tsuyoshi Kohsaka 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.

Ricco Rodriguez was losing on the scorecard in the initial rounds.

Ricco Rodriguez gained a significant amount of weight, at one point weighing 350 pounds.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that Ricco Rodriguez had tested positive for both marijuana and cocaine and was given a six-month suspension for the failed drug test.

Ricco Rodriguez fought in the YAMMA Pit Fighting one-night heavyweight tournament as a late replacement.

Ricco Rodriguez 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 and the fight was rescheduled for the inaugural Mixed Fighting Alliance event, which Ricco Rodriguez lost by unanimous decision.

Ricco Rodriguez attributed his weight loss to a renewed focus and partnership with a new nutritional coach and long-time friend, Richard Sicola-Stone.

Ricco Rodriguez still fought and won his fight over Daniel Tabera 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 making his debut for the promotion.

Ricco Rodriguez missed weight for the fight, weighing in a full 2 pounds over the contracted 215-pound catchweight.

Ricco Rodriguez made his Bellator debut against the man who first defeated the internet superstar Kimbo Slice, Seth Petruzelli at Bellator 48.

Ricco Rodriguez lost the fight via KO in the first round after getting caught with an overhand right, and ending his 12-fight winning streak.

Ricco Rodriguez immediately stood up and protested the stoppage and left the fight showing the middle finger to the referee.

Ricco Rodriguez then faced Dion Staring for the FFC Heavyweight Championship at Final Fight Championship 17 on December 20,2014.

Ricco Rodriguez made his professional boxing debut on October 12,2006, beating 19-year-old Cruiserweight Brandon Baker by knockout.

Ricco Rodriguez faced Lewis Rumsey at a Bare Knuckle FC event held on June 2,2018.

Ricco Rodriguez appeared in an episode of the History Channel series Human Weapon, in which he faced Bill Duff in a draw.

Ricco Rodriguez appears in bonus footage of The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr DVD.

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