Joe Riggs
| Joe Riggs | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | September 23, 1982 Sanford, Maine, United States |
| Other names | Diesel |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 11.5 in (1.82 m) |
| Weight | 185.5 lb (84.1 kg; 13.25 st) |
| Division | Heavyweight Light Heavyweight Middleweight Welterweight |
| Style | Wrestling, Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Fighting out of | Phoenix, Arizona |
| Team | Power MMA/Elite Performance |
| Rank | brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 50 |
| Wins | 35 |
| By knockout | 17 |
| By submission | 15 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Losses | 14 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 7 |
| By decision | 2 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Joseph Jonathan Riggs (born September 23, 1982) is an American mixed martial arts fighter. He has competed at weights ranging from Heavyweight down to Welterweight. Currently, Riggs fights as a Middleweight.
Contents |
[edit] Background
Riggs was born in Sanford, Maine and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Earlier in his career he fought more so as a traditional boxer and progressed to become a ground and pound fighter.
[edit] Martial arts background
Riggs started boxing as a child with his father. Although Riggs is right handed, he was encouraged by his boxing coach to fight southpaw, making his power hand his lead hand. He is a former boxer.[1]
He began wrestling at Cactus High School in Glendale, Arizona, he followed in the footsteps of his hero, Randy Couture, and became an All-American twice. Currently, Riggs also holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Riggs has trained at Arizona Combat Sports under the Lally brothers.
Riggs' strength training consists primarily of plyometrics. His weight training is geared to maintain his muscle mass, and consists of squats, deadlifts and cleans. Riggs does a lot of pushups and circuit training.[1]
Riggs credits his success to his knockout power and athleticism. He says that his favorite technique is a right hook, which he knocked out Luke Stewart with on November 20, 2008. Riggs has fought in the UFC eight times, and has also appeared at the Playboy Mansion twice fighting under the Strikeforce banner.
[edit] Mixed martial arts career
Over his career, Riggs has fought in the Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight and Welterweight divisions, and became a four-time Desert Quest champion, two-time Grapplers Quest Advance champion, Rage in the Cage Heavyweight and Middleweight champion, Art of War Heavyweight champion, Evolution Combat Heavyweight champion, and XCF Light Heavyweight champion.[2]
[edit] Ultimate Fighting Championship
Riggs' dream of fighting in the UFC materialized in 2004, in a winning bout against Canadian fighter Joe Doerksen. Riggs received his shot at the UFC Welterweight title at UFC 56 in November 2005 against Matt Hughes.
Originally, the title shot was offered to Karo Parisyan, who had to withdraw due to a torn hamstring. When Riggs was contacted to take Parisyan's place he jumped at the chance, despite having fought at UFC 55 just a month earlier. However, Riggs did not make the required weight and the fight was declared a non-title event, due to Hughes allowing Riggs to fight him (if a fighter does not make weight for a match, the match may still take place if their opponent allows it). Despite his efforts, Riggs could not mount a significant challenge; Hughes took him down and submitted him with a kimura from half-guard just minutes into the first round of the fight.
Following his loss to Hughes, Riggs rebounded to win against Nick Diaz (decision) at UFC 57. In the hospital room after the fight, Diaz and Riggs got into a physical altercation where they had to be separated by police.
Riggs then moved up to Middleweight to face The Ultimate Fighter alumni Mike Swick. Early in the fight Riggs was caught in a guillotine choke and tapped out. Riggs then fought The Ultimate Fighter 2's Jason Von Flue, submitting him with a triangle choke.
Riggs' last UFC bout was on December 13, 2006, against Welterweight contender Diego Sanchez at UFC Fight Night 7. Riggs lost the fight due to knockout from a hook followed by a knee in 1:45 of the first round.
Following the fight with Sanchez, Riggs chose to go to the WEC and compete for the vacant Middleweight championship, but had to pull out of the fight the day before because of a recurring back injury.[3]
[edit] Strikeforce
Riggs lost to Cory Devela via submission in his Strikeforce debut at Strikeforce: At The Dome.
Riggs was to return to action on Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson, facing Jiujitsu specialist Luke Stewart. Riggs stepped in as a late replacement for Shonie Carter, who was injured in training. The fight was to be contested at a catchweight of 178 pounds.[4] However, he was denied licensure by the California State Athletic Commission after disclosing his recent use of prescription medication during the licensing process. Riggs lost to Kazuo Misaki at Strikeforce at the Playboy Mansion via controversial stoppage on September 20, 2008.
Riggs won his next fight at Strikeforce: Destruction on November 21, 2008, against Luke Stewart by TKO (Punches) in 2nd round 2:05. Riggs broke his hand throwing the first punch of the bout, but managed to rally in the second round, breaking Stewart's nose in the process.[5]
Riggs next fought on the Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields card from the ScottTrade Center in St. Louis, MO on June 6, 2009, against Phil "The New York Badass" Baroni in a three-round welterweight bout that was broadcast live on the Showtime cable network. In a performance that featured his versatile standup game, including several flying knees, Riggs won a unanimous decision over Baroni.
In his next fight, Riggs faced Jay Hieron on January 30, 2010, at Strikeforce: Miami.[6] Riggs lost the fight via unanimous decision.
In the main event of Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs. Taylor, Riggs faced up and coming middleweight Louis Taylor. "Diesel" won by submission due to strikes in the third round.
On December 9, 2010, it was announced that Riggs has parted ways with Strikeforce.[7]
[edit] Bellator Fighting Championships
About a month later, on January 10, 2011, Riggs signed with Bellator Fighting Championships to fight in its middleweight division.[8] Riggs made his Bellator debut against Season 2 Middleweight Tournament Finalist Bryan Baker. After a back and forth fight, Baker knocked Riggs out with a left hook late in the second round. It's currently unknown if Riggs will get a second fight with the promotion.
[edit] Post Bellator
Three months after his knockout loss to Baker at Bellator 43, In a rematch from their bout in 2004 Riggs fought The Ultimate Fighter 3 winner and fellow UFC veteran Kendall Grove. Grove quickly defeated Riggs by submission due to a guillotine choke, Thus avenging his previous loss to Riggs. For the first time in his ten year career as a mixed martial artist Riggs has lost three straight fights.
[edit] SIEGE MMA
Joe "Diesel" Riggs currently trains, and is the head MMA coach at Siege MMA, in Peoria, Arizona. However, he still often trains with friends such as Jeremy Horn and Damarques Johnson at Elite Performance in Salt Lake City.
[edit] Personal life
Joe and his wife, Lisa, welcomed a son in the summer of 2006, but he died shortly after birth.[9] Their second son, Joseph Diesel Riggs, was born on June 28, 2007.[10]
[edit] Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 50 matches | 35 wins | 14 losses |
| By knockout | 17 | 5 |
| By submission | 15 | 7 |
| By decision | 3 | 2 |
| Draws | 0 | |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 35–14 (1) | Shannon Ritch | TKO (punches) | Duel for Domination - MMA Extravaganza | November 26, 2011 | 1 | 0:56 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 34–14 (1) | Kendall Grove | Submission (guillotine choke) | ProElite 1 | August 27, 2011 | 1 | 0:59 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Loss | 34–13 (1) | Bryan Baker | KO (punch) | Bellator 43 | May 7, 2011 | 2 | 3:53 | Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States | Returns to Middleweight |
| Loss | 34–12 (1) | Jordan Mein | TKO (punches) | Wreck MMA: Strong and Proud | January 28, 2011 | 2 | 4:30 | Gatineau, Quebec, Canada | Fought at Welterweight |
| Win | 34–11 (1) | Trent Thorne | TKO (elbows) | King of the Cage: 48 | November 21, 2010 | 1 | 3:56 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | Fought at Middleweight |
| Win | 33–11 (1) | Louis Taylor | Submission (punches) | Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs. Taylor | August 13, 2010 | 3 | 2:07 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | 182 lb Catchweight |
| Loss | 32–11 (1) | Jay Hieron | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Miami | January 30, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Sunrise, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 32–10 (1) | Nick Almen | Submission (punches and elbows) | Ironman MMA 1 | December 11, 2009 | 1 | 1:51 | Welch, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 31–10 (1) | David Barnes | TKO (punches) | RITC 138 | December 4, 2009 | 1 | 0:57 | Mesa, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 30–10 (1) | Phil Baroni | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields | June 6, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | Drops to Welterweight |
| Win | 29–10 (1) | Luke Stewart | TKO (punches) | Strikeforce: Destruction | November 21, 2008 | 2 | 2:05 | San Jose, California, United States | 178 lb Catchweight |
| Loss | 28–10 (1) | Kazuo Misaki | TKO (punches) | Strikeforce: At The Mansion II | September 20, 2008 | 2 | 2:29 | Beverly Hills, California, United States | |
| Win | 28–9 (1) | Matt Dempsey | Submission (rear-naked choke) | RITC 112 | July 26, 2008 | 2 | 1:47 | Prescott, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 27–9 (1) | Cory Devela | Submission (slam) | Strikeforce: At The Dome | February 23, 2008 | 1 | 1:22 | Tacoma, Washington, United States | |
| Win | 27–8 (1) | Eugene Jackson | KO (punches) | Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion | September 29, 2007 | 1 | 3:56 | Beverly Hills, California, United States | |
| Win | 26–8 (1) | Dan Chambers | Submission (triangle choke) | Hardcore Championship Fighting: Unfinished Business | July 21, 2007 | 1 | 3:25 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | Returns to Middleweight |
| Loss | 25–8 (1) | Diego Sanchez | KO (knee) | UFC Fight Night: Sanchez vs Riggs | December 13, 2006 | 1 | 1:33 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 25–7 (1) | Jason Von Flue | Submission (triangle choke) | UFC Fight Night 6 | August 17, 2006 | 1 | 2:01 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 24–7 (1) | Mike Swick | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 60 | May 27, 2006 | 1 | 2:19 | Los Angeles, California, United States | Fought at Middleweight |
| Win | 24–6 (1) | Nick Diaz | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 57 | February 4, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 23–6 (1) | Matt Hughes | Submission (kimura) | UFC 56 | November 19, 2005 | 1 | 3:28 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Originally a title fight, but Riggs failed to make weight and was changed to a non-title match. |
| Win | 23–5 (1) | Chris Lytle | TKO (cut) | UFC 55 | October 7, 2005 | 2 | 2:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Debut at Welterweight |
| Win | 22–5 (1) | Rob Kimmons | Submission (punches) | WEC 15 | May 19, 2005 | 1 | 1:24 | Lemoore, California, United States | Won vacant WEC Middleweight Championship |
| Loss | 21–5 (1) | Ivan Salaverry | Submission (triangle choke) | UFC 52 | April 16, 2005 | 1 | 2:42 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 21–4 (1) | Thomas Gil | Submission (armbar) | RITC 66 | November 13, 2004 | 1 | 2:05 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 20–4 (1) | Isidro Gonzalez | TKO (punches and elbows) | WEC 12 | October 21, 2004 | 1 | 1:50 | Lemoore, California, United States | |
| Win | 19–4 (1) | Joe Doerksen | Submission (elbows) | UFC 49 | August 21, 2004 | 2 | 3:37 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 18–4 (1) | Shane Johnson | KO (punches) | XCF 5: Evolution | May 28, 2004 | 1 | N/A | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 17–4 (1) | Kendall Grove | KO (elbows) | Rumble on the Rock 5 | May 7, 2004 | 1 | 3:09 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Debut at Middleweight |
| Win | 16–4 (1) | Dave Vitkay | KO (punches) | ICC: Trials 2 | April 30, 2004 | 1 | N/A | Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 15–4 (1) | John Renken | KO (punch) | RITC 60: 'The Saint' Goes Marching In | March 20, 2004 | 1 | 0:28 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 14–4 (1) | Chris Kiever | KO (punch) | International Fighting Championships: Battleground Tahoe | January 31, 2004 | 1 | 0:49 | Lake Tahoe, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 13–4 (1) | Alex Stiebling | Submission (triangle choke) | WEC 9 | January 16, 2004 | 2 | 1:54 | Lemoore, California, United States | Debut at Light Heavyweight |
| Win | 13–3 (1) | Cory Timmerman | Submission (armbar) | RITC 57: Tucson Revisited | December 13, 2003 | 1 | 1:11 | Tucson, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 12–3 (1) | Frank Alcala | TKO (punches) | IFC: Rumble on the Rio | December 6, 2003 | 1 | 0:31 | Hidalgo, Texas, United States | |
| NC | 11–3 (1) | Andy Montana | No Contest | RITC 53: The Beat Goes On | September 13, 2003 | N/A | N/A | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 11–3 | Greg Wikan | TKO (corner stoppage) | ECS: Evolution | July 19, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 10–3 | Will Hammond | TKO (punches) | Art of War 2 | June 21, 2003 | 1 | N/A | Kalispell, Montana, United States | |
| Loss | 9–3 | Travis Fulton | Submission (choke) | RITC 45: Finally | March 1, 2003 | 1 | 0:48 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 9–2 | Herb Dean | Submission (punches) | RITC 43: The Match | January 18, 2003 | 1 | 0:52 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 8–2 | Wesley Correira | KO (knee and punch) | Rumble on the Rock 1 | December 28, 2002 | 2 | 2:07 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Lemuel Vincent | TKO (punches) | RITC 42: Road Trip | December 7, 2002 | 1 | 0:23 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 7–1 | Allan Sullivan | Submission (armbar) | RITC 39: Bring It | October 19, 2002 | 3 | 1:57 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 6–1 | Joe Pardo | Decision (unanimous) | RITC 38: Let's Roll | September 7, 2002 | 3 | 3:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 5–1 | Jess Morton | TKO (retirement) | RITC 36: The Rematch | June 22, 2002 | 1 | 3:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Andy Montana | Submission (punches) | RITC 35: This Time It's Personal | May 3, 2002 | 1 | 1:24 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 3–1 | Homer Moore | Decision (unanimous) | RITC 34 | March 15, 2002 | 3 | 3:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Joey Vigueria | Submission (punches) | RITC 33: The Big Show | February 2, 2002 | 1 | 2:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Justin Lyon | Submission (punches) | RITC 31 | November 7, 2001 | 1 | 0:33 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Ryan Roath | Submission (punches) | RITC 30: Soaring to New Heights | September 26, 2001 | 1 | 2:32 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | Fights at Heavyweight |
[edit] References
- ^ a b Knucklepit.com (2005). "Joe Riggs". The Middleweight Casting a Heavyweight Shadow. http://www.knucklepit.com/mixed-martial-arts-joe_riggs.htm. Retrieved 2006-06-09.
- ^ UFC.com. "Joe Riggs". Joe Riggs Fighter Detail. http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=fighter.detail&pid=344. Retrieved 2006-06-08.
- ^ MMaontap article stating that Riggs has a back injury
- ^ James Iannotti. "Joe Riggs vs Luke Stewart Strikeforce fight booked with Shonie Carter hurt". MMAmania. http://mmamania.com/2008/06/19/joe-riggs-vs-luke-stewart-strikeforce-fight-booked-with-shonie-carter-hurt.
- ^ http://www.sherdog.com/news/pictures.asp?n_id=13442
- ^ "Joe Riggs vs Jay Hieron at Strikeforce: 'Miami' on Jan. 30". mmamania.com. http://www.mmamania.com/2010/1/2/1230574/joe-riggs-vs-jay-hieron-in-the. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
- ^ Anton Tabuena. "Strikeforce Parts Ways With Joey Villasenor and Joe Riggs". Bloody Elbow. http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2010/12/9/1865494/strikeforce-parts-ways-with-joey-villasenor-and-joe-riggs.
- ^ Dann Stupp. "Bellator signs veteran middleweight Joe Riggs". MMAjunkie. http://mmajunkie.com/news/22033/bellator-signs-veteran-middleweight-joe-riggs.mma.
- ^ Interview with Joe where he talks about the death of his son
- ^ The eight-time UFC veteran has just begun to elevate his training after welcoming the birth of his newborn son, Joseph Diesel Riggs, June 28.
[edit] External links
| Awards and achievements | Vacant
Title last held by
Chris Leben |
2nd WEC Middleweight Champion May 19, 2005 – December, 2006 |
Vacant
Title next held by
Paulo Filho |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- 1982 births
- Living people
- American mixed martial artists
- Heavyweight mixed martial artists
- Light heavyweight mixed martial artists
- Middleweight mixed martial artists
- Welterweight mixed martial artists
- World Extreme Cagefighting champions
- Sportspeople from Maine
- Sportspeople from Arizona
- People from Sanford, Maine
- People from Phoenix, Arizona
