Introduction
Ricky Simon (born August 8, 1992) is an American mixed martial artist. He was the former Legacy Fighting Alliance Bantamweight Champion and currently competing in the Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Background
Simon was born in Vancouver, Washington. Coming from a tight-knit family, his three brothers, Carlos Simón, Brandon Simón, Avi Simón and Simón have the same tattoo " Simón" inked across their upper back. Simón started training in wrestling at nine years old. He graduated from Union High School in 2010, and after his plan to be a collegiate wrestler did not materialize, he transitioned to mixed martial arts.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Simon amassed an amateur record of 3-0 before turning professional in 2014. After compiling a professional record of 12-1, fighting for Main Event Sports, King of the Cage (KOTC), Titan Fighting Championship and he was the formal Legacy Fighting Alliance Bantamweight Champion prior joining the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In his UFC debut, Simon faced Merab Dvalishvili on April 21, 2018, at |UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In the final round, Simón mounted Dvalshvili with a guillotine choke, while Dvalishvilikick his way to the end of the bell. Referee, Liam Kerriga, awarded the win to Simón citing Dvalshivili was thought to have beenpassed out by the ref who eventually stopped the fight.Dvalishvilli's manager Matthew Culley filed a request to the commission to review the referee decision and the appeal was denied. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.
Simon was scheduled to face Benito Lopez at UFC 227 on August 4, 2018. However, it was reported that Lopez pulled out from the bout for undisclosed reason and he was replaced by Montel Jackson. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Simon was expected to face Ricardo Ramos on November 10, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 139. However, it was reported on October 16, 2018 that Ramos was pulled from the bout due to hand injury and in turn, Simon was removed from the card as well.
Simon faced Rani Yahya on February 10, 2019 atUFC 234. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Simon faced Urijah Faber on July 13, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 155. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.
Simon faced Rob Font at UFC on ESPN 7 on December 7, 2019. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Merab Dvalishvili and Rob Font
- Legacy Fighting Alliance
- LFA Bantamweight Championship (One time)
- One successful title defense vs. Vinicius Zani
Personal life
Simon is a middle school wrestling coach.
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 18 matches | 15 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 1 |
| By submission | 2 | 1 |
| By decision | 8 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 15–3 | Rob Font | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik | December 7, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Washington, D.C., United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Loss | 15–2 | Urijah Faber | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: de Randamie vs. Ladd | July 13, 2019 | 1 | 0:46 | Sacramento, California, United States | |
| Win | 15–1 | Rani Yahya | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 234 | February 10, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Melbourne, Australia | |
| Win | 14–1 | Montel Jackson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 227 | August 4, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Win | 13–1 | Merab Dvalishvili | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee | April 21, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 12–1 | Vinicius Zani | KO (punches) | LFA 36 | March 23, 2018 | 1 | 0:59 | Cabazon, California, United States | Defended the LFA Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–1 | Chico Camus | Decision (unanimous) | LFA 29 | December 15, 2017 | 5 | 5:00 | Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States | Won the vacant LFA Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–1 | Donavon Frelow | Decision (split) | Dana White's Contender Series 5 | August 8, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Win | 9–1 | Charon Spain | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | KOTC: Headstrong | May 27, 2017 | 1 | 1:59 | Lincoln City, Oregon, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Eduardo Torres | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC: Heavy Trauma | February 4, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Lincoln City, Oregon, United States | Return to Featherweight. |
| Loss | 7–1 | Anderson dos Santos | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | Titan FC 37 | March 4, 2016 | 2 | 2:38 | Ridgefield, Washington, United States | For the vacant Titan FC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–0 | Alex Soto | Decision (unanimous) | Titan FC 35 | September 19, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Ridgefield, Washington, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Jeremiah Labiano | Decision (split) | TPF 24 | August 6, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Lemoore, California, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Paul Njoku | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC; Warrior's Spirit | March 21, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Lincoln City, Oregon, United States | Bantamweight debut. |
| Win | 4–0 | Cole Milani | TKO (punches) | FCFF: Rumble at the Roseland 80 | November 19, 2014 | 1 | 0:55 | Portland, Oregon, United States | Lightweight bout. |
| Win | 3–0 | John Martinez | TKO (punches) | Main Event MMA 3 | August 16, 2014 | 1 | 3:41 | Longview, Washington, United States | Featherweight bout. |
| Win | 2–0 | Kendall Ward | TKO (punches) | Main Event MMA 2 | April 19, 2014 | 1 | 0:49 | Vancouver, Washington, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Alex Eastman | TKO (punches) | Main Event MMA 1 | January 18, 2014 | 1 | 1:34 | Vancouver, Washington, United States |