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Joe Riggs Bio
Joseph Jonathan Riggs (born September 23, 1982) is an American mixed martial arts fighter. He has competed at weights ranging from Heavyweight down to Welterweight. Currently, Riggs fights as a Middleweight. Riggs holds notable victories over Nick Diaz, Chris Lytle, Kendall Grove, Phil Baroni, Joe Doerksen, Rob Kimmons, Shannon Ritch, and referee Herb Dean.
Background
Riggs was born in Sanford, Maine and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Earlier in his career he fought more so as a traditional boxer and progressed to become a ground and pound fighter.
Martial arts background
Riggs started boxing as a child with his father. Although Riggs is right handed, he was encouraged by his boxing coach to fight southpaw, making his power hand his lead hand. He is a former boxer.
He began wrestling at Cactus High School in Glendale, Arizona, he followed in the footsteps of his hero, Randy Couture, and became an All-American twice. Currently, Riggs also holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Riggs has trained at Arizona Combat Sports under the Lally brothers.
Riggs' strength training consists primarily of plyometrics. His weight training is geared to maintain his muscle mass, and consists of squats, deadlifts and cleans. Riggs does a lot of pushups and circuit training.
Riggs credits his success to his knockout power and athleticism. He says that his favorite technique is a right hook, which he knocked out Luke Stewart with on November 20, 2008. Riggs has fought in the UFC eight times, and has also appeared at the Playboy Mansion twice fighting under the Strikeforce banner.
Mixed martial arts career
Over his career, Riggs has fought in the Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight and Welterweight divisions, and became a four-time Desert Quest champion, two-time Grapplers Quest Advance champion, Rage in the Cage Heavyweight and Middleweight champion, Art of War Heavyweight champion, Evolution Combat Heavyweight champion, and XCF Light Heavyweight champion.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Riggs' dream of fighting in the UFC materialized in 2004, in a winning bout against Canadian fighter Joe Doerksen. Riggs received his shot at the UFC Welterweight title at UFC 56 in November 2005 against Matt Hughes.
Originally, the title shot was offered to Karo Parisyan, who had to withdraw due to a torn hamstring. When Riggs was contacted to take Parisyan's place he jumped at the chance, despite having fought at UFC 55 just a month earlier. However, Riggs did not make the required weight and the fight was declared a non-title event, due to Hughes allowing Riggs to fight him (if a fighter does not make weight for a match, the match may still take place if their opponent allows it). Despite his efforts, Riggs could not mount a significant challenge; Hughes took him down and submitted him with a kimura from half-guard just minutes into the first round of the fight.
Following his loss to Hughes, Riggs rebounded to win against Nick Diaz (decision) at UFC 57. In the hospital room after the fight, Diaz and Riggs got into a physical altercation where they had to be separated by police.
Riggs then moved up to Middleweight to face The Ultimate Fighter alumni Mike Swick. Early in the fight Riggs was caught in a guillotine choke and tapped out. Riggs then fought The Ultimate Fighter 2's Jason Von Flue, submitting him with a triangle choke.
Riggs' last UFC bout was on December 13, 2006, against Welterweight contender Diego Sanchez at UFC Fight Night 7. Riggs lost the fight due to knockout from a hook followed by a knee in 1:45 of the first round.
Following the fight with Sanchez, Riggs chose to go to the WEC and compete for the vacant Middleweight championship, but had to pull out of the fight the day before because of a recurring back injury.
Strikeforce
Riggs lost to Cory Devela via submission in his Strikeforce debut at Strikeforce: At The Dome.
Riggs was to return to action on Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson, facing Jiujitsu specialist Luke Stewart. Riggs stepped in as a late replacement for Shonie Carter, who was injured in training. The fight was to be contested at a catchweight of 178 pounds. However, he was denied licensure by the California State Athletic Commission after disclosing his recent use of prescription medication during the licensing process. Riggs lost to Kazuo Misaki at Strikeforce at the Playboy Mansion via controversial stoppage on September 20, 2008.
Riggs won his next fight at Strikeforce: Destruction on November 21, 2008, against Luke Stewart by TKO (Punches) in 2nd round 2:05. Riggs broke his hand throwing the first punch of the bout, but managed to rally in the second round, breaking Stewart's nose in the process.
Riggs next fought on the Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields card from the ScottTrade Center in St. Louis, MO on June 6, 2009, against Phil "The New York Badass" Baroni in a three-round welterweight bout that was broadcast live on the Showtime cable network. In a performance that featured his versatile standup game, including several flying knees, Riggs won a unanimous decision over Baroni.
In his next fight, Riggs faced Jay Hieron on January 30, 2010, at Strikeforce: Miami. Riggs lost the fight via unanimous decision.
In the main event of Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs. Taylor, Riggs faced up and coming middleweight Louis Taylor. "Diesel" won by submission due to strikes in the third round.
On December 9, 2010, it was announced that Riggs has parted ways with Strikeforce.
Bellator Fighting Championships
About a month later, on January 10, 2011, Riggs signed with Bellator Fighting Championships to fight in its middleweight division. Riggs made his Bellator debut against Season 2 Middleweight Tournament Finalist Bryan Baker. After a back and forth fight, Baker knocked Riggs out with a left hook late in the second round. It's currently unknown if Riggs will get a second fight with the promotion.
Post Bellator
Three months after his knockout loss to Baker at Bellator 43, In a rematch from their bout in 2004 Riggs fought The Ultimate Fighter 3 winner and fellow UFC veteran Kendall Grove. Grove quickly defeated Riggs by submission due to a guillotine choke, Thus avenging his previous loss to Riggs. For the first time in his ten year career as a mixed martial artist Riggs has lost three straight fights.
SIEGE MMA
Joe "Diesel" Riggs currently trains, and is the head MMA coach at Siege MMA, in Peoria, Arizona, and also at LA Boxing in Glendale. However, he still often trains with friends such as Jeremy Horn and Damarques Johnson at Elite Performance in Salt Lake City.
Personal life
Joe and his wife, Lisa, welcomed a son in the summer of 2006, but he died shortly after birth. Their second son, Joseph Diesel Riggs, was born on June 28, 2007.
Mixed martial arts record
External links
- Professional MMA record for Joe Riggs from Sherdog
- Strikeforce profile
- Knucklepit interview
MMA Shirts
