Mike “The Martian” Ricci is a 36-year-old male fighter from Canada with an 11-5-0 professional MMA record. Ricci launched his professional mixed martial arts career in 2008 within regional Canadian promotions, quickly establishing himself as a promising lightweight prospect.
Mike Ricci's initial exposure to martial arts came through self-directed efforts, beginning as a novice who learned Kung Fu techniques from books. He trained on his own and attended sporadic classes at various gyms for about six months before seeking more structured guidance. His fighting style is that of a balanced competitor, blending potent striking with grappling proficiency rooted in Brazilian jiu-jitsu training.
As a striker, Ricci possesses significant knockout power, securing six of his eleven professional victories by (T)KO, often utilizing sharp elbows and high-impact kicks to close distances effectively. On the ground, his jiu-jitsu foundation allows for seamless transitions and submission threats, though he favors stand-up exchanges when possible.
Pat Curran VS Mike Ricci || Knockout Bellator MMA
Professional MMA Debut
Ricci made his professional debut against Stephane Chretien on June 7, 2008, fighting on the main card of TKO 34 : Sims vs. Bosse. He made a winning start to his career, defeating Stephane Chretien who carried a 0-0-0 professional MMA record into the fight. Mike Ricci beat Stephane Chretien by KO/TKO at 4:58 of Round 3.
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Following his debut, Ricci secured a submission win on October 3, 2008, at TKO 35: Quenneville vs. Ricci capped his undefeated run at 5-0 on November 14, 2009, at Ringside MMA 4: Rivalry, outpointing the highly regarded Jordan Mein via unanimous decision after three rounds. Of these initial victories, four came by TKO and one by submission, highlighting his aggressive striking and ground control in the early stages of his development.
Bellator Fighting Championships
Ricci made his Bellator debut on April 15, 2010, at Bellator 14 in Chicago, facing Pat Curran in the tournament's opening-round quarterfinal bout. A little more than midway through the round, Curran connected on a powerful right hook that sent Ricci crashing to the mat where he stayed unconscious for a few minutes after a few follow up punches. The knockout's impact extended beyond the cage, resulting in a mild concussion but triggering a profound personal crisis that led to a 10-month hiatus from training and competition.
During this period, Ricci grappled with depression, isolating himself and struggling with the psychological toll of the public defeat, though this recovery phase ultimately bolstered his long-term resilience in training. Ricci returned to regional competition to rebuild, defeating Jesse Ronson by first-round TKO on April 9, 2011, at Ringside MMA 10, but then losing a unanimous decision to Daron Cruickshank over five rounds on October 21, 2011, at Ringside MMA 12.
The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson
Mike Ricci earned his place on The Ultimate Fighter Season 16: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson as part of Team Carwin. In his first fight Ricci defeated Dom Waters via unanimous decision in the first round of the tournament. Following his first round victory Ricci went on to fight fellow Canadian Michael Hill in the quarterfinals of the tournament winning via unanimous decision.
Mike Ricci's exhibition record encompasses his four bouts during The Ultimate Fighter Season 16, a lightweight tournament that aired in 2012, where he competed as part of Team Carwin. These unsanctioned fights were filmed prior to the season's airing and served to determine semifinalists for the show's finale.
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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Career
Following his runner-up finish on The Ultimate Fighter 16, Mike Ricci was awarded a UFC contract and made his official promotional debut against Colton Smith at The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale on December 15, 2012, in Las Vegas.
Ricci made his debut in the UFC against Colton Smith on December 15, 2012, fighting on the co-main event of The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale having compiled a 7-2-0 professional MMA record. Mike Ricci lost to Colton Smith by Decision at 5:00 of Round 3. As the runner-up, Ricci faced Colton Smith in the TUF 16 Finale on December 15, 2012, at The Joint in Las Vegas, where he fell via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) after three rounds of grappling-heavy action dominated by Smith's wrestling.
Since his debut, Ricci has gone on to fight a total of 3 more times in the UFC. His UFC record stands at 1-2-0. Ricci subsequently dropped to lightweight for his next bout against Colin Fletcher at UFC 158 on March 16, 2013, in Montreal. Ricci faced Myles Jury at UFC 165 on September 21, 2013, in Toronto, dropping a split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) in another grappling-heavy affair that drew boos from the crowd for its low output.
Failed UFC title challenge: Tournament Championship loss to Colton Smith. Ricci lost his 1st welterweight title challenge, losing to Colton Smith on December 15, 2012 at The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale. Mike Ricci lost to Colton Smith by Decision at 5:00 of Round 3.
Outside the UFC
Ricci was then booked for a lightweight title opportunity against Yoshiyuki Yoshida at Titan FC 31 on October 31, 2014. Prior to the fight, Ricci failed to make weight. After his UFC stint, Ricci took his next fight at TFC on February 28, 2014, fighting against Jorge Gurgel on the main event of Titan FC 27: Ricci vs.
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Ricci made his WSOF debut on November 20, 2015, at WSOF 25 in a one night only eight man Lightweight tournament to determine a number one contender for the WSOF Lightweight Championship. He was set to face fellow UFC veteran Brian Cobb in the quarterfinal bout but Cobb was replaced by Joe Condon. Ricci won via knockout due to a head kick in the first round.
Ricci's last win came against Joe Condon at WSOF 25 on Friday November 20, 2015. Ricci's last loss came against Jason High at WSOF 31 on Friday June 17, 2016. Ricci has fought 3 times in the UFC. Ricci most recently fought Jason High at WSOF 31 on Friday June 17, 2016. It was announced that Ricci would be a participant in Bellator Fighting Championships Season 2 Lightweight Tournament.
Fight Record
Here's a summary of Mike Ricci's fight record:
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Round | Time | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 11-5-0 | Jason High | TKO (Punches) | 2 | 4:08 | WSOF 31 - Ivanov vs. Copeland | Jun 17, 2016 |
| Win | 11-4-0 | Joe Condon | KO (Head Kick) | 1 | 2:41 | WSOF 25 - 8-Man Lightweight Tournament | Nov 20, 2015 |
| Win | 10-4-0 | George Sotiropoulos | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | Titan FC 29 - Titan Fighting Championship 29 | Aug 22, 2014 |
| Win | 9-4-0 | Jorge Gurgel | TKO (Punches and Elbows) | 1 | 3:57 | Titan FC 27 - Titan Fighting Championship 27 | Feb 28, 2014 |
| Loss | 8-4-0 | Myles Jury | Decision (Split) | 3 | 5:00 | UFC 165 - Jones vs. Gustafsson | Sep 21, 2013 |
| Win | 8-3-0 | Colin Fletcher | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | UFC 158 - St. Pierre vs. Diaz | Mar 16, 2013 |
| Loss | 7-3-0 | Colton Smith | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale | Dec 15, 2012 |
| Win | 7-2-0 | Tony Hervey | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | Ringside MMA 13 - The Saint Patrick's Day Beatdown | Mar 17, 2012 |
| Loss | 6-2-0 | Daron Cruickshank | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 | Ringside MMA 12 - Daley vs. Fioravanti | Oct 21, 2011 |
| Win | 6-1-0 | Jesse Ronson | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 3:12 | Ringside MMA 10 - Cote vs. Starnes | Apr 09, 2011 |
| Loss | 5-1-0 | Pat Curran | KO (Punch) | 1 | 3:01 | Bellator 14 | Apr 15, 2010 |
| Win | 5-0-0 | Jordan Mein | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | Ringside MMA 4 - Rivalry | Nov 14, 2009 |
| Win | 4-0-0 | Jean-Marc Lalonde | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 2:35 | Ringside MMA 1 - The Comeback | May 30, 2009 |
| Win | 3-0-0 | Rory McDonell | TKO (Kick to the Body) | 2 | 2:15 | XMMA 6 - House of Pain | Nov 08, 2008 |
| Win | 2-0-0 | Reza Kamali | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 1 | 3:41 | TKO 35 - Quenneville vs. Hioki | Oct 03, 2008 |
| Win | 1-0-0 | Stephane Chretien | TKO (Punches) | 3 | 4:58 | TKO 34 - Sims vs. | Jun 07, 2008 |