Ricco Rodriguez

It looks like Ricco is back in great shape now,I wonder if he has got over his mental and drug problems also and will he ever become a legitimate contender again.

This was a picture of him at this years ADCC Tournament.



This was Ricco at slightly less than his heaviest (350lbs)

Jesus he looks in good shape now, any Idea what weight he is down to? I think he has it in him to be a top 10 Heavyweight if he stays in shape, Id like to see him fighting decent fighers again. A rematch with Pedro Rizzo or Monson would set him off to a good start.

I'd like to see him against Werdum. That'd be a grappling clinic!

He was at 99KG i believe Ben there was talking of him dropping to 205 which would be a huge advantage for him.

An in shape Ricco will give any Top 5 fighter a run for his money.

He's got a good shot at being a good light heavyweight. I hope Strikeforce could line him up as a potential opponent for Mousasi.

I think Mousasi would blast through him in about a minute. Ricco's never had the best chin and doesn't like getting hit in the face.

If Ricco has got over his mental issues then he could be a hard fight for anybody and to be fair there are not that many fighters at his weight that would be a favourite over him if the fight hit the floor,but I personally doubt that because of a few visits to Dr Drew in rehab he has got his mind and focus to where it should be to become an elite fighter again.

I would love to be wrong though because a top of his game Ricco would be great for MMA and I would much prefer to see a skilled,highly trained MMA fighter challenging instead of some of these over grown unskilled ex-footballers.

I think he's a poor mans Frank Mir.

yeah he has lost tonnes of weight............cocaine is one hell of a drug.

but really good for him if he is clean.

Ricco Rodriguez believes Bellator Fighting Championships has given him the opportunity to walk away from MMA like he always wanted.

The former UFC heavyweight champion debuts in the promotion Aug. 20 against Seth Petruzelli at Bellator 48. He hopes to win that fight, earn a spot in the next heavyweight tournament and eventually take the Bellator heavyweight title.

“Bjorn [Rebney] went to the networks and fought for me,” Rodriguez said on “The Savage Dog Show” of the Bellator CEO, whose promotion airs on MTV2. “I’m grateful. I’ve been begging Bjorn for almost two years to get me in. … This opportunity will definitely change my life.”

Since his last UFC fight in November 2003, Rodriguez has competed all over the world in a variety of promotions. He doesn’t expect to ever fight in the Octagon again.

“I wouldn’t want to fight where I’m not welcome,” he said.

In particular, Rodriguez isn’t on the same page with the UFC when it comes to pay.

“I know what I’m worth,” Rodriguez said. “I know what I’ve made. I can’t go less than that. People think fighting for the UFC is the most important thing in the world. Well look, guys, I got kids. I got a house. I got a car. I’ve got to pay my bills. Living is more important. When I was younger … I was very flash-dashy, cocky, arrogant. I thought fame was the important thing, being famous, and that’s not true. You can still be famous and be broke. People recognize me all the time, but I’ve got to pay my bills.”

In Rodriguez’s view that makes Bellator his best option.

hard to believe its the same person on both pictures. what org is he fighting in now?

He's signed with Bellator.

He's fighting Seth Petruzelli on the next Bellator card.

I can't work out what he's doing with himself though,it seemed for a while he was aiming to make 205 his new division,but his last 3 fights have all been catch weight fights,the first 2 being 215lb and the last one was a catch weight fight of 230lb

Petruzelli is normally a LHW,but I believe he is fighting Ricco at HW.

payneNglory1 wrote:He's signed with Bellator.

He's fighting Seth Petruzelli on the next Bellator card.

I can't work out what he's doing with himself though,it seemed for a while he was aiming to make 205 his new division,but his last 3 fights have all been catch weight fights,the first 2 being 215lb and the last one was a catch weight fight of 230lb

Petruzelli is normally a LHW,but I believe he is fighting Ricco at HW.

I dont like what Ricco is doing, I reckon he is pulling a bit of a Kimbo, he isnt really thinking of making 205 but being a big star he is asking for a bit of an advantage and IMO with Seth I think him or whoever calls the shots with his career are trying to get him a fight with anoter smaller opponent.

At the end of the day he fucked up bad trying to cut weight a few times. He has to accept he is a smaller Hw and either Bulk up like Mir did or just work on being healthy and sorting his cardio when he doesnt have to cut.

I reckon he beats Seth, I dont think he is good enough to avoid Konrad dry humping him though.