Ricardo Romero (fighter)
Encyclopedia
Ricardo Romero is an American
professional mixed martial arts
(MMA) fighter. He was a featured competitor on multiple occasions for the Ring of Combat
promotion which featured on HDNet Fights and also competed for their Light Heavyweight title. Romero was also a competitor in the Ultimate Fighting Championship
.
Five months later, Romero returned against Brendan Barrett in a fight to declare the number one contender to the belt Romero missed out on. Romero won via submission (rear naked choke) after 0:44 of the second round.
Romero next faced future Ultimate Fighter
and UFC
competitor James McSweeney
which once again aired on HDNet Fights. Romero won his second successive submission victory via rear naked choke.
This was followed by a victory over The Ultimate Fighter 8 competitor Karen Grigoryan and Romero once again won, this via TKO (punches) in the second round. This win earned him the Light Heavyweight title.
Romero fought twice more for the Ring of Combat, defending his ROC Light Heavyweight title, winning both by submission (one by kimura, one by keylock).
Bloodyelbow also declared him a "rising star" in their list of desired fighters for the UFC Light Heavyweight division.
Light Heavyweight champion Steve Cantwell
at UFC 116
. However, despite receiving medical clearance, Cantwell had to withdraw and the bout was cancelled. Romero instead faced Seth Petruzelli
at UFC 116
on the live prelim show on Spike TV. In the second round, Romero caught Petruzelli in an armbar that injured his arm forcing him to tap, giving Romero the win.
Romero faced Kyle Kingsbury
on February 5, 2011 at UFC 126
. He lost the fight via TKO due to strikes just 21 seconds into the first round.
Romero faced James Te-Huna
on September 24, 2011 at UFC 135
. He lost the fight via KO only forty-seven seconds into the first round.
After the loss, Romero was subsequently released from the promotion.
| Loss
| align="center" | 11-3
| James Te Huna
| KO (punches)
| UFC 135
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 0:47
| Denver, Colorado
, United States
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 11–2
| Kyle Kingsbury
| TKO (knees to the body and punches)
| UFC 126
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 0:21
| Las Vegas, Nevada
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 11–1
| Seth Petruzelli
| Submission (straight armbar)
| UFC 116
|
| align="center" | 2
| align="center" | 3:05
| Las Vegas, Nevada
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 10–1
| Silmar Rodrigo
| Submission (keylock)
| Ring of Combat 27
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 4:56
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 9–1
| Rich Lictawa
| Submission (kimura)
| Ring of Combat 26
|
| align="center" | 2
| align="center" | 2:14
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
| Defended the ROC Light Heavyweight title
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 8–1
| Karen Grigoryan
| TKO (punches)
| Ring of Combat 25
|
| align="center" | 2
| align="center" | 2:50
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
| Won the ROC Light Heavyweight title
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 7–1
| James McSweeney
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Ring of Combat 24
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:27
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 6–1
| Brendan Barrett
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Ring of Combat 23
|
| align="center" | 2
| align="center" | 0:44
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 5–1
| Glen Sandull
| DQ (illegal knee)
| Ring of Combat 21
|
| align="center" | 2
| align="center" | 2:50
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
| For the vacant ROC Light Heavyweight title
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 5–0
| Constantinos Philippou
| Decision (split)
| Ring of Combat 19
|
| align="center" | 3
| align="center" | 5:00
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 4–0
| Randy Durant
| TKO (punches)
| Ring of Combat 18
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 1:13
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 3–0
| John Doyle
| TKO (punches)
| ROC 17: Beast of the Northeast Finals
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:19
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
| Won the ROC Heavyweight Title
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 2–0
| John Clarke
| TKO (corner stoppage)
| ROC 16: Beast of the Northeast Semi-Finals
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 4:00
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 1–0
| Bryce Harrell
| Submission (punches)
| ROC 15: Beast of the Northeast Quarterfinals
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:09
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
|
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
(MMA) fighter. He was a featured competitor on multiple occasions for the Ring of Combat
Ring of Combat
Ring of Combat is a US-based Mixed Martial Arts organization based in Atlantic City, NJ.. Several Ring of Combat events have aired on HDNet Fights, including ROC XVIII and ROC XXI.- History :...
promotion which featured on HDNet Fights and also competed for their Light Heavyweight title. Romero was also a competitor in the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
.
Early career
After going 5-0 in the promotion, Romero fought Glen Sandull for the vacant Ring of Combat Light Heavyweight championship. Midway through the second round, Romero caught Sandull with an illegal soccer kick and was disqualified, handing him his first ever professional loss, whilst also gifting Sandull the title.Five months later, Romero returned against Brendan Barrett in a fight to declare the number one contender to the belt Romero missed out on. Romero won via submission (rear naked choke) after 0:44 of the second round.
Romero next faced future Ultimate Fighter
The Ultimate Fighter
The Ultimate Fighter is an American reality television series and mixed martial arts competition produced by Spike TV and the Ultimate Fighting Championship , and soon to be shown on FX. The show features unknown, professional MMA fighters living together in Las Vegas, Nevada, and follows them as...
and UFC
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
competitor James McSweeney
James McSweeney
James Adam McSweeney is an English mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai kickboxer. He was a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.-Biography:...
which once again aired on HDNet Fights. Romero won his second successive submission victory via rear naked choke.
This was followed by a victory over The Ultimate Fighter 8 competitor Karen Grigoryan and Romero once again won, this via TKO (punches) in the second round. This win earned him the Light Heavyweight title.
Romero fought twice more for the Ring of Combat, defending his ROC Light Heavyweight title, winning both by submission (one by kimura, one by keylock).
Bloodyelbow also declared him a "rising star" in their list of desired fighters for the UFC Light Heavyweight division.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Romero joined the UFC in June 2010 and was set to face former World Extreme CagefightingWorld Extreme Cagefighting
World Extreme Cagefighting was an American mixed martial arts promotion. It was purchased by Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of Ultimate Fighting Championship , in 2006. In its final incarnation, it was made up of 3 weight classes: 135, 145 and 155 lbs. To accommodate the smaller...
Light Heavyweight champion Steve Cantwell
Steve Cantwell
Steven Francis Cantwell is an American mixed martial artist who competes as a middleweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship...
at UFC 116
UFC 116
UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States...
. However, despite receiving medical clearance, Cantwell had to withdraw and the bout was cancelled. Romero instead faced Seth Petruzelli
Seth Petruzelli
Seth Petruzelli is an American mixed martial artist, former kickboxer and entrepreneur. He is infamously known as the first man to defeat Kimbo Slice in mixed martial arts competition, knocking him out in 14 seconds. Seth went to school at the University of Central Florida to study Psychology...
at UFC 116
UFC 116
UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States...
on the live prelim show on Spike TV. In the second round, Romero caught Petruzelli in an armbar that injured his arm forcing him to tap, giving Romero the win.
Romero faced Kyle Kingsbury
Kyle Kingsbury
Kyle Loren Kingsbury is an American mixed martial artist. He was a cast member of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Nogueira vs. Team Mir. Currently, Kyle is signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championships , fighting in their light heavyweight division.- Early life :Kingsbury attended Monta...
on February 5, 2011 at UFC 126
UFC 126
UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on February 5, 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Background:...
. He lost the fight via TKO due to strikes just 21 seconds into the first round.
Romero faced James Te-Huna
James Te-Huna
James Te-Huna is a New Zealand mixed martial artist who is currently competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.-Early career and background:Te-Huna is of Maori descent and became the first New Zealander to enter the UFC....
on September 24, 2011 at UFC 135
UFC 135
UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on September 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.-Background:...
. He lost the fight via KO only forty-seven seconds into the first round.
After the loss, Romero was subsequently released from the promotion.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial artsMixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
- Ring of CombatRing of CombatRing of Combat is a US-based Mixed Martial Arts organization based in Atlantic City, NJ.. Several Ring of Combat events have aired on HDNet Fights, including ROC XVIII and ROC XXI.- History :...
- Ring of Combat Heavyweight Title
- Ring of Combat Light Heavyweight title
- 1 successful title defence
Mixed martial arts record
|-| Loss
| align="center" | 11-3
| James Te Huna
| KO (punches)
| UFC 135
UFC 135
UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on September 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.-Background:...
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 0:47
| Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 11–2
| Kyle Kingsbury
Kyle Kingsbury
Kyle Loren Kingsbury is an American mixed martial artist. He was a cast member of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Nogueira vs. Team Mir. Currently, Kyle is signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championships , fighting in their light heavyweight division.- Early life :Kingsbury attended Monta...
| TKO (knees to the body and punches)
| UFC 126
UFC 126
UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on February 5, 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Background:...
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 0:21
| Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 11–1
| Seth Petruzelli
Seth Petruzelli
Seth Petruzelli is an American mixed martial artist, former kickboxer and entrepreneur. He is infamously known as the first man to defeat Kimbo Slice in mixed martial arts competition, knocking him out in 14 seconds. Seth went to school at the University of Central Florida to study Psychology...
| Submission (straight armbar)
| UFC 116
UFC 116
UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on July 3, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States...
|
| align="center" | 2
| align="center" | 3:05
| Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 10–1
| Silmar Rodrigo
| Submission (keylock)
| Ring of Combat 27
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 4:56
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 9–1
| Rich Lictawa
| Submission (kimura)
| Ring of Combat 26
|
| align="center" | 2
| align="center" | 2:14
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
| Defended the ROC Light Heavyweight title
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 8–1
| Karen Grigoryan
| TKO (punches)
| Ring of Combat 25
|
| align="center" | 2
| align="center" | 2:50
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
| Won the ROC Light Heavyweight title
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 7–1
| James McSweeney
James McSweeney
James Adam McSweeney is an English mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai kickboxer. He was a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.-Biography:...
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Ring of Combat 24
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:27
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 6–1
| Brendan Barrett
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Ring of Combat 23
|
| align="center" | 2
| align="center" | 0:44
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
|
|-
| Loss
| align="center" | 5–1
| Glen Sandull
| DQ (illegal knee)
| Ring of Combat 21
|
| align="center" | 2
| align="center" | 2:50
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
| For the vacant ROC Light Heavyweight title
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 5–0
| Constantinos Philippou
Constantinos Philippou
Constantinos Philippou is a Cypriot mixed martial artist. He is currently fighting for the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the middleweight division.-MMA career:Philippou made his professional MMA debut in May 2008 for the Ring of Combat promotion...
| Decision (split)
| Ring of Combat 19
|
| align="center" | 3
| align="center" | 5:00
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 4–0
| Randy Durant
| TKO (punches)
| Ring of Combat 18
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 1:13
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 3–0
| John Doyle
| TKO (punches)
| ROC 17: Beast of the Northeast Finals
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:19
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
| Won the ROC Heavyweight Title
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 2–0
| John Clarke
| TKO (corner stoppage)
| ROC 16: Beast of the Northeast Semi-Finals
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 4:00
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 1–0
| Bryce Harrell
| Submission (punches)
| ROC 15: Beast of the Northeast Quarterfinals
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:09
| Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
|