The bantamweight wrestler who turned a controversial stoppage into a career-defining victory
In short: In his 2018 UFC debut, Ricky Simón secured a victory so contentious it sparked a legal appeal. Despite the chaos, the Oregon-born wrestler used his elite grappling to cement his place in the bantamweight division, proving that resilience is just as vital as technique in the octagon.
Born in Pendleton, Oregon, to a family of Mexican immigrants, Ricky Simón began his martial arts journey through wrestling at age nine. After a collegiate wrestling career at Clark College did not materialize, he transitioned to professional mixed martial arts in 2014. His path to the UFC was paved by success in various promotions, including a stint as the former Legacy Fighting Alliance Bantamweight Champion.
Simón's UFC career has been marked by both high-octane battles and significant controversy. During his debut against Merab Dvalishvili on April 21, 2018, referee Liam Kerriga awarded Simón the win after Dvalishvili appeared to have been passed out. Although Dvalishvili's manager, Matthew Culley, appealed the decision, the request was denied. This intense encounter earned Simón his first of two 'Fight of the Night' awards.
A specialist in grappling, Simón holds the distinction of having the second most takedowns landed in UFC bantamweight history, with 44 successful takedowns, trailing only Merab Dvalishvili. His technical prowess is further evidenced by his two 'Performance of the Night' awards, earned against Jack Shore and Javid Basharat. Beyond the cage, Simón has also achieved success in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, becoming an inaugural Submission Underground tag-team champion alongside John Simon in 2021.
Throughout his tenure, Simón has navigated the complexities of professional combat, from the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic—which forced a withdrawal in September 2020—to high-stakes rematches. His career remains a testament to the grueling, unpredictable nature of elite mixed martial arts.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Ricky Simón
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