Rich Attonito
Encyclopedia
Rich Attonito is an American
professional mixed martial artist
who competes in the welterweight
division. Attonito currently fights for the Ultimate Fighting Championship
, and is best known for his stint on the eleventh season of The Ultimate Fighter
. He was a Division 1 wrestler at Hofstra.
Attonito's interest in mixed martial arts was piqued when he saw his teammate from college, Phil Baroni
, take the UFC by storm. However, he did not jump headlong into the sport until 2006, when, while working as a personal trainer on Long Island, one of his coworkers challenged him to make the most of his athletic abilities by training in MMA. Attonito began to dabble in jiu jitsu and took a fight three months later, thinking his MMA career would be short lived. After his fifth fight, in 2006, members of the esteemed American Top Team camp approached Attonito to see if he would be interested in training with them down in Florida.
He jumped at the chance, dropping everything and temporarily living in a one bedroom apartment with his brother who lived in Florida at the time. He has been training full time with American Top Team ever since, although he still works full time as a personal trainer who serves as a strength and conditioning coach for several mixed martial artists, including UFC veteran Luigi Fioravanti
. As such, Attonito trains, either himself or as a personal trainer, in some form between 5:00 AM and 9:00 PM.
.
In his first fight, to gain entry into the TUF house, Attonito defeated Lyle Steffens via unanimous decision (20–18, 20–18, 20–18). Chuck Liddell
selected Attonito as his second pick, making him the 4th overall pick out of 14 competitors.
Rich's second fight came was against Kyacey Uscola
. The fight ended due to Uscola throwing two illegal knees in round one, giving Rich the DQ win. After an MRI, it was revealed that Rich had broken his hand during the fight and will be unable to continue in the tournament. Rich's spot in the quarter-finals of the competition was taken by Court McGee, after perceived controversy over his loss to Nick Ring
.
against Team Ortiz fighter, Jamie Yager
. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.
At UFC Fight Night: Marquardt vs. Palhares, Attonito faced the debuting Rafael Natal
. Attonito went on to defeat Natal via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27). During the first round of the fight, Attonito dropped Natal with a right hook which almost prompted the referee to stop the fight. Natal recovered though, but went on to lose the decision.
Attonito fought Dave Branch
on December 4, 2010 at The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale
. He lost the fight via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Attonito dropped to welterweight for his next fight with the UFC. Attonito was expected to face Matt Brown
on June 26, 2011 at UFC on Versus 4. However, main card participant Martin Kampmann
was forced out of his bout with John Howard
with an injury and Brown was chosen as his replacement, while Attonito faced Daniel Roberts
. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Attonito is expected to face promotional newcomer Jake Hecht
on December 10, 2011 at UFC 140
.
| Win
|align=center| 10-4
|
Daniel Roberts
| Decision (unanimous)
| UFC Live: Kongo vs. Barry
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, United States
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 9–4
| Dave Branch
| Decision (unanimous)
| The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 9–3
|
Rafael Natal
| Decision (unanimous)
| UFC Fight Night: Marquardt vs. Palhares
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Austin, Texas
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 8–3
| Jamie Yager
| TKO (punches)
| The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 4:25
|Las Vegas, Nevada
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 7–3
|
Gregory Babene
| Decision (unanimous)
| XC-1: Xtreme MMA Championship
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Rome, Italy
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 6–3
| Uber Gallegos
| Submission (arm triangle choke)
| KOTC: Hurricane
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:31
|Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 5–3
| Isidro Gonzalez
| Submission (armbar)
| CWFC USA: Destruction
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:21
|Orlando, Florida
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 5–2
| Ryan Hodge
| TKO (punches)
| WFC 6: Battle in the Bay
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 1:23
|Tampa, Florida
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 4–2
| Rolando Dominique
| Submission (rear naked choke)
| Ultimate Gladiator Championship
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:06
|Miami, Florida
, United States
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 3–2
| Bristol Marunde
| TKO (punches)
| Euphoria: USA vs. Russia
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 1:57
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 3–1
| Lance Everson
| Decision (unanimous)
| Reality Fighting 9
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Wildwood, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 2–1
| Mark Raposa
| TKO (punches)
| Mass Destruction 18
|
|align=center| N/A
|align=center| N/A
|Boston, Massachusetts, United States
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 1–1
| Mike Marshall
| Decision (split)
| Mass Destruction 16
|
|align=center| N/A
|align=center| N/A
|Boston, Massachusetts, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 1–0
| Mike Mitchell
| TKO (punches)
| Mass Destruction 15
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:26
|Boston, Massachusetts, United States
|
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional mixed martial artist
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...
who competes in the welterweight
Welterweight (MMA)
The welterweight division in mixed martial arts can refer to a number of different weight classes:*The UFC's & Strikeforce's welterweight division, which groups competitors within 156 to 170 lb...
division. Attonito currently fights for 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...
, and is best known for his stint on the eleventh season of The 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...
. He was a Division 1 wrestler at Hofstra.
Background
Rich began and continues training with American Top Team in February 2006. Attonito moved to Florida from New Jersey after a short time training with the Team believing the move would take his career to a new level.Early Career
A 2001 graduate of Hofstra University in Long Island, Rich Attonito wrestled several different weight classes as a member of the Pride wrestling team including the 167 lbs. and 197 lbs. divisions, picking up the team's award for "Most Improved Wrestler" in 2000.Attonito's interest in mixed martial arts was piqued when he saw his teammate from college, Phil Baroni
Phil Baroni
Philip George Baroni is an American mixed martial artist. He has a professional MMA record of 14–14–0. Baroni has fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he holds a record of 3–7–0. Also he has fought in the PRIDE FC where he holds a record of 4–2–0...
, take the UFC by storm. However, he did not jump headlong into the sport until 2006, when, while working as a personal trainer on Long Island, one of his coworkers challenged him to make the most of his athletic abilities by training in MMA. Attonito began to dabble in jiu jitsu and took a fight three months later, thinking his MMA career would be short lived. After his fifth fight, in 2006, members of the esteemed American Top Team camp approached Attonito to see if he would be interested in training with them down in Florida.
He jumped at the chance, dropping everything and temporarily living in a one bedroom apartment with his brother who lived in Florida at the time. He has been training full time with American Top Team ever since, although he still works full time as a personal trainer who serves as a strength and conditioning coach for several mixed martial artists, including UFC veteran Luigi Fioravanti
Luigi Fioravanti
Luigi Fioravanti is an American mixed martial artist who fights out of Orlando, Florida with American Top Team. He was released by the UFC shortly after his first round TKO defeat to Anthony Johnson at UFC Fight Night 17...
. As such, Attonito trains, either himself or as a personal trainer, in some form between 5:00 AM and 9:00 PM.
The Ultimate Fighter
In March 2010, Attonito was announced as part of the eleventh season of The Ultimate FighterThe 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...
.
In his first fight, to gain entry into the TUF house, Attonito defeated Lyle Steffens via unanimous decision (20–18, 20–18, 20–18). Chuck Liddell
Chuck Liddell
Charles David "Chuck" Liddell is a retired American mixed martial artist and former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion. Liddell has an extensive striking background in Kempo, Koei-Kan karate and kickboxing, as well as a grappling background in collegiate wrestling.As of his...
selected Attonito as his second pick, making him the 4th overall pick out of 14 competitors.
Rich's second fight came was against Kyacey Uscola
Kyacey Uscola
Kyacey Uscola is an American professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter. He was a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz. Uscola has fought for brands such as Bodog Fight, KOTC, Gladiator Challenge, and Palace Fighting Championships...
. The fight ended due to Uscola throwing two illegal knees in round one, giving Rich the DQ win. After an MRI, it was revealed that Rich had broken his hand during the fight and will be unable to continue in the tournament. Rich's spot in the quarter-finals of the competition was taken by Court McGee, after perceived controversy over his loss to Nick Ring
Nick Ring
Nick Ring is a Canadian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the middleweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2002, Ring fought in various promotions, most notably the Bellator Fighting Championships...
.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Rich made his UFC debut at The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz FinaleThe Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale
The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale, also referred to as The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale was a mixed martial arts event that was held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on June 19, 2010. Featured were the...
against Team Ortiz fighter, Jamie Yager
Jamie Yager
Jamie Yager is an American professional mixed martial artist. He was a cast member of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz. Besides appearing on The Ultimate Fighter, Yager was also on BET's Iron Ring in 2008.-Early life:Yager left home at age 14 due to differences with his...
. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.
At UFC Fight Night: Marquardt vs. Palhares, Attonito faced the debuting Rafael Natal
Rafael Natal
Not to be confused with Rafael NadalRafael Natal is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the middleweight division...
. Attonito went on to defeat Natal via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27). During the first round of the fight, Attonito dropped Natal with a right hook which almost prompted the referee to stop the fight. Natal recovered though, but went on to lose the decision.
Attonito fought Dave Branch
Dave Branch (fighter)
Dave Branch is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in the Middleweight division. He is a Bellator Fighting Championship and Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran.-Background:...
on December 4, 2010 at The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale
The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck Finale
The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs Team Koscheck Finale, also referred to as The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on December 4, 2010.-Background:This was the first...
. He lost the fight via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Attonito dropped to welterweight for his next fight with the UFC. Attonito was expected to face Matt Brown
Matt Brown (fighter)
Matthew Burton Brown is an American professional mixed martial artist.Brown starred in the seventh season of The Ultimate Fighter television series and was eliminated from the show in the ninth episode due to a loss to Amir Sadollah by Triangle Choke...
on June 26, 2011 at UFC on Versus 4. However, main card participant Martin Kampmann
Martin Kampmann
Martin Kampmann Frederiksen is a Danish mixed martial artist who is currently fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. and trains at the Xtreme Couture gym. He is known for his precise strikes and his quick submissions...
was forced out of his bout with John Howard
John Howard (fighter)
John J. Howard is an American mixed martial artist, currently competing welterweight division.-Ultimate Fighting Championship:He made his first UFC debut on January 31, 2009 against Chris Wilson at UFC 94 winning by split decision....
with an injury and Brown was chosen as his replacement, while Attonito faced Daniel Roberts
Daniel Roberts (fighter)
Daniel Lamar Roberts is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter. Currently he is signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championships, fighting in their welterweight division and training out in San Francisco....
. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Attonito is expected to face promotional newcomer Jake Hecht
Jake Hecht
Jake Hecht is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional MMA competitor since 2006, Hecht fought mostly in regional promotions across the midwestern and southeastern United States before signing with the UFC in...
on December 10, 2011 at UFC 140
UFC 140
UFC 140: Jones vs. Machida is an upcoming mixed martial arts event to be held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on December 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario.-Background:...
.
Mixed martial arts record
|-| Win
|align=center| 10-4
|
Daniel RobertsDaniel Roberts (fighter)
Daniel Lamar Roberts is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter. Currently he is signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championships, fighting in their welterweight division and training out in San Francisco....
| Decision (unanimous)
| UFC Live: Kongo vs. Barry
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 9–4
|
Dave BranchDave Branch (fighter)
Dave Branch is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in the Middleweight division. He is a Bellator Fighting Championship and Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran.-Background:...
| Decision (unanimous)
| The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|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
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 9–3
|
Rafael NatalRafael Natal
Not to be confused with Rafael NadalRafael Natal is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the middleweight division...
| Decision (unanimous)
| UFC Fight Night: Marquardt vs. Palhares
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 8–3
|
Jamie YagerJamie Yager
Jamie Yager is an American professional mixed martial artist. He was a cast member of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz. Besides appearing on The Ultimate Fighter, Yager was also on BET's Iron Ring in 2008.-Early life:Yager left home at age 14 due to differences with his...
| TKO (punches)
| The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 4:25
|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
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 7–3
|
Gregory Babene| Decision (unanimous)
| XC-1: Xtreme MMA Championship
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Rome, Italy
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 6–3
|
Uber Gallegos| Submission (arm triangle choke)
| KOTC: Hurricane
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:31
|Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 5–3
|
Isidro Gonzalez| Submission (armbar)
| CWFC USA: Destruction
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:21
|Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 5–2
|
Ryan Hodge| TKO (punches)
| WFC 6: Battle in the Bay
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 1:23
|Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 4–2
|
Rolando Dominique| Submission (rear naked choke)
| Ultimate Gladiator Championship
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:06
|Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 3–2
|
Bristol MarundeBristol Marunde
Bristol Marunde is an American mixed martial artist. He is the current Superior Cage Combat Middleweight Champion. In 2007 he fought for the Seattle Tiger Sharks of the International Fight League. He currently resides and fights out of Las Vegas, NV where he trains at Throwdown Training Center...
| TKO (punches)
| Euphoria: USA vs. Russia
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 1:57
|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
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 3–1
|
Lance Everson| Decision (unanimous)
| Reality Fighting 9
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Wildwood, New Jersey
Wildwood, New Jersey
Wildwood is a city in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area and is a popular summer resort destination. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's year-round population was 5,325...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 2–1
|
Mark Raposa| TKO (punches)
| Mass Destruction 18
|
|align=center| N/A
|align=center| N/A
|Boston, Massachusetts, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 1–1
|
Mike Marshall| Decision (split)
| Mass Destruction 16
|
|align=center| N/A
|align=center| N/A
|Boston, Massachusetts, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 1–0
|
Mike Mitchell| TKO (punches)
| Mass Destruction 15
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:26
|Boston, Massachusetts, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|