Ricky Simón, born on August 31, 1992, is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He was born in Pendleton, Oregon, coming from a tight-knit family of Mexican immigrants.
His three brothers and Ricky have the same tattoo "Simón" inked across their upper back. Simón also grew up with his close second cousin and fellow UFC athlete Vince Morales.
Simón started training in wrestling at nine years old. He graduated class of 2010 from Union High School in Camas, WA, where he also wrestled and placed seventh in the state in his sophomore year. Simón amassed an amateur record of 3-0 before turning professional in 2014.
Early Career and LFA Achievements
Before joining the UFC, Ricky Simon made a name for himself in the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA). He demonstrated his skills and determination, setting the stage for his entry into the world's premier MMA organization.
- LFA Debut: Simon quickly made an impact in LFA, showcasing his wrestling and submission skills.
- LFA Title: He captured the LFA Bantamweight Championship, a testament to his growing prowess in the sport.
- Title Defense: Simon successfully defended his LFA title, further solidifying his reputation as a top prospect.
UFC Career
In his UFC debut, Simón faced Merab Dvalishvili on April 21, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 128 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In the final round, Simón mounted Dvalishvili with a guillotine choke, while Dvalishvili kicked his way to the end of the bell. The pair was rescheduled on January 16, 2021, at UFC on ABC 1. In turn, Kelleher also tested positive on January 1 and was pulled from the bout.
Read also: Rising Star Alex Underwood
He was replaced by newcomer Gaetano Pirrello and the bout took place four days later at UFC on ESPN: Chiesa vs. Simón was scheduled to face Timur Valiev on September 25, 2021, at UFC 266. However, the bout was never officially announced by the promotion and Valiev was instead scheduled to face Daniel Santos at UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Simón was scheduled to face Song Yadong on April 22, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 222. However, the bout was instead delayed a week to UFC on ESPN: Song vs.
Key Moments and Bouts
- UFC Debut vs. Merab Dvalishvili: Showcased his grappling skills despite a controversial finish.
- Fight vs. Urijah Faber: Faced the UFC Hall of Famer, gaining valuable experience.
- Matchup with Rob Font: A closely contested decision, demonstrating his striking defense.
Here's a table summarizing some of Ricky Simon's UFC fights and their outcomes:
| Date | Opponent | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 21, 2018 | Merab Dvalishvili | UFC Fight Night 128 | Win |
| July 13, 2019 | Urijah Faber | UFC on ESPN+ 13 | Loss |
| December 7, 2019 | Rob Font | UFC on ESPN 7 | Loss |
| May 13, 2020 | Ray Borg | UFC Jacksonville | Win |
| February 22, 2025 | Javid Basharat | UFC Seattle | Win |
| June 14, 2025 | Cameron Smotherman | UFC Atlanta | Win |
| November 8, 2025 | Raoni Barcelos | UFC Vegas 111 | Loss |
Notable Achievements
- Fight of the Night (Two times)
- Performance of the Night (Two times)
- One successful title defense
Fight History
- UFC Fight Night: Bonfim vs.
- UFC on ESPN: Usman vs.
- UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs.
- UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs.
- UFC on ESPN: Song vs.
- UFC on ABC: Ortega vs.
- UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs.
- UFC on ESPN: Chiesa vs.
- UFC Fight Night: Smith vs.
- UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs.
- UFC Fight Night: de Randamie vs.
- UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs.
Submission Underground
Beyond MMA, Ricky Simon has also participated in Submission Underground, showcasing his grappling skills in a different format. He has faced notable opponents in this arena, further demonstrating his versatility as a martial artist.
Read also: Buddy Matthews and Alex Adams: From Start to Stardom
Read also: From Glory to UFC Gold