Ricky Glenn (born April 12, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist who competed in the Lightweight division of the UFC. A professional since 2006, he is the former World Series of Fighting Featherweight Champion.

Ricky Glenn
Born (1989-04-12) April 12, 1989 (age 35)
Marshalltown, Iowa, United States[1]
Other namesThe Gladiator
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
DivisionLightweight
Featherweight
Reach70 in (178 cm)[1]
StyleWrestling, Boxing, BJJ
Fighting out ofDes Moines, Iowa, United States[2]
TeamRoufusport (2010–2017)[3][4]
Team Alpha Male (2017–2019)[5]
Pura Vida[6]
360 BJJ[7]
Absolute MMA and Fitness (2019–present)[8]
TrainerDuke Roufus (formerly)[9]
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[10]
Years active2006–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total33
Wins22
By knockout13
By submission3
By decision6
Losses9
By knockout2
By submission2
By decision5
Draws2
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Glenn was born in Marshalltown, Iowa. Growing up he had an interest in BMX biking but the interest in fighting outweighed biking since he was young.[4] He did a year of wrestling at Marshalltown High School[11] and started training boxing when he was fourteen. When his local boxing gym closed down, he travelled 90 minutes each trip to another gym to get his boxing practice. He later transitioned to MMA training at a friend's basement and switch to his uncle's garage.[9]

I came from nothing, like a lot of people, There’s a lot of drugs where I come from, a lot of poverty....It took a while, but here I am[9].........I wanted to live the American Dream.[1]

When Glenn was seventeen, still a high school student and with one year wrestling, some boxing experience and self-taught MMA skills,[4] he was asked to fight on a short notice for a local promotion. Still in his work uniform, Glenn left his work at a local Staples shift early in Marshalltown, rushing out to the venue, in time for a few stretches, and stepped in the cage 5 minutes later, winning his first fight.[12] This win set of his MMA career where he put it “He was a tough guy, but I cut him up really good. I was shocked, I mean, I was fighting for my life in there. I was fighting grown men when I was in high school, and that first win meant everything.”[7]

After high school, Glenn moved to Cedar Rapids and attended a community college, majoring in physical therapy. He joined an MMA gym under Duke Roufus' guidance where his training partner was Erik Kock and Ben Askren.[9]

Glenn fought 17 amateur fights in a short period with record of 15–1–1 and he would go on to fight 21 times professionally, losing only 3 bouts, and 97% of his wins have been by way of knockout, submission, or TKO prior signed by UFC.[13] He moved to Milwaukee and left his employment at Costco to train full-time.[1][14][4]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Glenn fought most of the fights in regional Midwest of American. He was the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) featherweight champion and Midwest Cage Fight featherweight champion. Glenn amassed a record of 18–3–1 prior signed by UFC. In his past 17 bouts, Glenn's only loss was to WSOF featherweight champion Lance Palmer, and he held notable victories over Johnny Case and Georgi Karakhanyan.[13]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Glenn made his promotion debut on September 17, 2016 at UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Johnson against Evan Dunham in Texas. He moved up to lightweight for this fight bout replacing injured Abel Trujillo on 12 days notice.[15][16] He was bested by Dunham via unanimous decision and this unsuccessful debut snapped a three-fight winning streak since losing his WSOF title to Lance Palmer in 2014.[17]

He next faced Phillipe Nover on February 11, 2017 at UFC 208.[18][19] He outpointed Nover and win via split decision (27-30, 29–28, 29-28).[20][21]

Glenn faced Gavin Tucker on September 9, 2017 at UFC 215.[22][23] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[24] Tucker suffered four broken bones on his face during the one-sided beating from Glenn and many criticized the referee, Kyle Cardinal,[25] for not stopping the fight.[26][27]

Glenn faced Myles Jury on December 30, 2017 at UFC 219.[28] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[29]

Glenn faced Dennis Bermudez on July 14, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 133.[30] He won the fight via split decision.[31]

Glenn was scheduled to face Arnold Allen on November 30, 2018 at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale.[32] However, Allen pulled out of the fight on November 16 citing a cut he received while training,[33] and he was replaced by Kevin Aguilar.[34] At the weigh-ins, Glenn weighed in at 148.5 pounds, 2.5 pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit of 146. He was fined 20 percent of their purse, which went to his opponent Kevin Aguilar. The bout proceeded at catchweight.[35] Glenn lost the fight via unanimous decision.[36]

Move up to Lightweight

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Glenn was scheduled to face Carlton Minus on December 19, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 183.[37] However during fight week, it was announced that Glenn had to be pulled out of the bout.[38]

Glenn faced Joaquim Silva on June 19, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 25.[39] He won the bout via knockout just 37 seconds into the first round.[40] The fight marked the last of his prevailing contract, and he subsequently signed a new, four-fight contract with the UFC.[41]

Glenn faced Grant Dawson on October 23, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori.[42] The fight ended in majority draw.[43] 8 out of 11 media outlets scored the bout for Dawson.[44]

Glenn was scheduled to face Drew Dober on March 12, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 203.[45] However, a week before the event, Glenn withdrew due to a torn groin and was replaced by Terrance McKinney.[46]

Glenn faced Christos Giagos on April 22, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 222.[47] He lost the fight by technical knockout in the first round.[48]

Glenn faced Drew Dober on October 7, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 229.[49] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.[50]

Move up to Welterweight

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Glenn faced Song Kenan in a welterweight bout on August 17, 2024 at UFC 305.[51] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[52]

On October 9, 2024, it was reported that Glenn was removed from the UFC roster.[53]

Personal life

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Glenn's moniker "The Gladiator" was given to him by his uncle for his killer instinct demeanour inside the boxing ring.[9]

Glenn and his wife Jenny have a son.[54]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
33 matches 22 wins 9 losses
By knockout 13 2
By submission 3 2
By decision 6 5
Draws 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 22–9–2 Song Kenan Decision (unanimous) UFC 305 August 18, 2024 3 5:00 Perth, Australia Welterweight debut.
Loss 22–8–2 Drew Dober TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Dawson vs. Green October 7, 2023 1 2:36 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 22–7–2 Christos Giagos KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes April 22, 2023 1 1:35 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Draw 22–6–2 Grant Dawson Draw (majority) UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori October 23, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 22–6–1 Joaquim Silva KO (punches) UFC on ESPN: The Korean Zombie vs. Ige June 19, 2021 1 0:37 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Return to Lightweight.
Loss 21–6–1 Kevin Aguilar Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters Finale November 30, 2018 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (148.5 lb) bout; Glenn missed weight.
Win 21–5–1 Dennis Bermudez Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Ivanov July 14, 2018 3 5:00 Boise, Idaho, United States
Loss 20–5–1 Myles Jury Decision (unanimous) UFC 219 December 30, 2017 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 20–4–1 Gavin Tucker Decision (unanimous) UFC 215 September 9, 2017 3 5:00 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win 19–4–1 Phillipe Nover Decision (split) UFC 208 February 11, 2017 3 5:00 Brooklyn, New York, United States
Loss 18–4–1 Evan Dunham Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Johnson September 17, 2016 3 5:00 Hidalgo, Texas, United States Lightweight bout; Fight of the Night.
Win 18–3–1 Ramiro Hernandez Decision (split) Victory Fighting Championship 51 June 24, 2016 3 5:00 Urbandale, Iowa, United States
Win 17–3–1 Chris Manuel TKO (body punches) Pure Fighting Championship 3 March 19, 2016 3 2:03 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Win 16–3–1 Adam Ward KO (punches) WSOF 24 October 17, 2015 2 1:27 Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States
Loss 15–3–1 Lance Palmer Submission (rear-naked choke) WSOF 16 December 13, 2014 3 3:09 Sacramento, California, United States Lost the WSOF Featherweight Championship.
Win 15–2–1 Georgi Karakhanyan TKO (retirement) WSOF 10 June 21, 2014 2 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Won the WSOF Featherweight Championship.
Win 14–2–1 Artur Rofi Decision (unanimous) WSOF 5 September 14, 2013 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 13–2–1 Alexandre Pimentel KO (punches) WSOF 2 March 23, 2013 3 1:51 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 12–2–1 Lyndon Whitlock TKO (knees to the body and punches) Score Fighting Series 6 October 19, 2012 3 2:34 Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
Win 11–2–1 Tristan Johnson TKO (punches) Score Fighting Series 5 August 25, 2012 2 4:26 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Win 10–2–1 Charon Spain TKO (elbow and punches) North American FC: Colosseum May 4, 2012 2 0:29 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Win 9–2–1 Jose Pacheco Decision (unanimous) North American FC: Unleashed November 18, 2011 3 5:00 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Win 8–2–1 Gustavo Rodriguez TKO (punches) KOTC: Interference October 8, 2011 2 1:46 Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, United States
Draw 7–2–1 Ryan Roberts Draw Midwest Cage Fight 35 August 5, 2011 5 5:00 Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Win 7–2 Josh Henry Submission (triangle choke) Midwest Cage Fight 32 March 5, 2011 1 3:41 Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Win 6–2 Josh Henry Submission (armbar) Midwest Cage Fight 31 January 15, 2011 1 0:32 Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Win 5–2 Johnny Case TKO (punches) Midwest Cage Fight 29 October 22, 2010 1 4:07 Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Win 4–2 Colby Karadios TKO (punches) Midwest Cage Fight 27 June 11, 2010 1 2:49 Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Loss 3–2 Lonnie Scriven Decision (split) Midwest Cage Fight 25 March 13, 2010 3 5:00 Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Win 3–1 Joe Morris Submission (triangle choke) Midwest Cage Fight 24 January 24, 2010 1 4:57 Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Loss 2–1 Jimmy Seipel Submission (armbar) Victory FC 28 July 24, 2009 1 2:31 Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
Win 2–0 Ted Reynolds TKO (punches) War Party Cage Fighting 4 November 11, 2006 1 1:56 Marshalltown, Iowa, United States
Win 1–0 Bob Morgan TKO (submission to punches) War Party Cage Fighting 3 July 29, 2006 2 2:25 Marshalltown, Iowa, United States

[56]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Ricky Glenn | UFC". UFC.com. 14 September 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  2. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (December 15, 2020). "Rick Glenn Missed The Bright Lights". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  3. ^ "Rick Glenn MMA". rickglennmma.com. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d "Fight Path: WSOF 5's Rick Glenn committed to MMA as 17-year-old Staples employee". MMAjunkie. 2013-08-30. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  5. ^ "Team Alpha Male's Rick Glenn happy with sunny California, high-level training partners his size". MMAjunkie.com. December 22, 2017.
  6. ^ "Rick Glenn". Tapology. August 2, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Rick Glenn: A Fighter on the Verge | News | Victory Fighter". Victory Fighter. Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  8. ^ Daniel Vreeland (December 16, 2020). "Episode 252: Alex Morono, Rick Glenn and UFC Vegas 17" (Podcast).
  9. ^ a b c d e Harris, Scott. "The Beaten Path: Prospect Rick Glenn Goes from Iowa Farm Town to World Series". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  10. ^ @gladiatormma (January 1, 2022). ""(...) What an Honor! Received my Black Belt from @360bjj !!! Thank you Scott! (...)"". Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Instagram.
  11. ^ http://rickglennmma.com/about.html [bare URL]
  12. ^ "Fight Path: WSOF 5'S Rick Glenn Committed To MMA As 17-Year-Old Staples Employee". Professional Fighters League. 2013-08-30. Archived from the original on 2017-08-02. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  13. ^ a b Sherdog.com. "Rick". Sherdog. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  14. ^ "UFC's Glenn says leaving Costco job was 'pretty difficult'". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  15. ^ "UFC 208 Prelim Breakout Star: Rick Glenn | MMA Manifesto". thesportsdaily.com. 9 February 2017. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  16. ^ "Evan Dunham gets new opponent at UFN 94". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  17. ^ "UFC Fight Night 94 results: Evan Dunham tops Rick Glenn by decision in entertaining brawl". MMAjunkie. 2016-09-18. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  18. ^ "Brooklyn's Phillipe Nover set to fight Rick Glenn at UFC 208". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  19. ^ "Brooklyn's own Phillipe Nover booked for UFC 208 home fight vs. Rick Glenn". MMAjunkie. 2016-12-28. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  20. ^ "UFC 208 results: De Randamie beats Holm for first women's featherweight title". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  21. ^ "Brooklyn's Nover defeated at UFC 208". Newsday. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  22. ^ "UFC 215 gets first fight: Gavin Tucker meets Rick Glenn in Edmonton". MMAjunkie. 2017-05-25. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  23. ^ "Halifax's rising UFC star Gavin Tucker returns to the cage with Edmonton fight". The Chronicle Herald. 2017-05-25. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  24. ^ "UFC 215 results: Rick Glenn overwhelms Gavin Tucker, who earns no mercy from referee". MMAjunkie. 2017-09-10. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
  25. ^ "Gavin Tucker". Tapology. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  26. ^ Russell, Ess (11 September 2017). "Despite many being upset with ref in Gavin Tucker vs Rick Glenn bout, Tucker says 'stop blaming the ref'". BJ Penn.com. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  27. ^ "Tucker: Ref 'should sleep easy' after UFC 215". Bloody Elbow. Archived from the original on 2017-09-11. Retrieved 2017-09-12.
  28. ^ "Myles Jury to fight Rick Glenn at UFC 219 in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2017-10-11. Retrieved 2017-10-12.
  29. ^ "UFC 219 results: Myles Jury cruises to win over Rick Glenn". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  30. ^ Mark La Monica (2018-05-18). "Dennis Bermudez to face Rick Glenn at UFC Fight Night in Boise, Idaho". newsday.com. Retrieved 2018-05-18.
  31. ^ "UFC Fight Night 133 results: Rick Glenn survives Dennis Bermudez's takedowns for split call". MMAjunkie. 2018-07-15. Retrieved 2018-07-15.
  32. ^ Alexander K. Lee (2018-11-05). "Rick Glenn steps in for injured Gilbert Melendez, fights Arnold Allen at TUF 28 Finale". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  33. ^ Jay Pettry (2018-11-16). "Arnold Allen injured, out of TUF 28 Finale bout against Rick Glenn". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
  34. ^ DNA, MMA (17 November 2018). "LFA Kampioen Kevin Aguilar pakt short notice gevecht tegen Rick Glenn tijdens de TUF 28 Finale". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  35. ^ "TUF 28 Finale weigh-in results: Dos Anjos vs. Usman set, but two miss". MMAjunkie. 2018-11-29. Retrieved 2018-11-30.
  36. ^ "TUF 28 Finale results: Kevin Aguilar batters a gutsy Rick Glenn in bloody battle". MMAjunkie. 2018-12-01. Retrieved 2018-12-01.
  37. ^ "Rick Glenn returns from 25-month layoff, fights Carlton Minus at UFC event on Dec. 19". MMA Junkie. 2020-10-24. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  38. ^ "Rick Glenn vs. Carlton Minus scratched from UFC Vegas 17". MMA Fighting. 2020-12-17. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  39. ^ Heck, Mike (2021-04-03). "Rick Glenn vs. Joaquim Silva added to UFC event on June 19". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  40. ^ Anderson, Jay (2021-06-19). "UFC Vegas 29 Results: Now going by Ricky Glenn, ex-WSOF Champ Starches Joaquim Silva". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
  41. ^ Mike Heck (June 22, 2021). What the Heck: Ovince Saint Preux, Rick Glenn, Shaun Al-Shatti and Talita Alencar - MMA Fighting. mmafighting.com – via YouTube.
  42. ^ DNA, MMA (2021-09-25). "BREAKING: Ricky Glenn vervangt Carlos Diego Ferreira op 23 oktober tegen Grant Dawson". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  43. ^ Law, Eddie (2021-10-23). "UFC Vegas 41 Results: Grant Dawson and Ricky Glenn Fight To A Draw". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  44. ^ MMA Decisions (2021-10-23). "MMA Decisions - Grant Dawson vs Ricky Glenn". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  45. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-01-05). "UFC: Ricky Glenn vs. Drew Dober Set for March 12 Fight Night". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  46. ^ Alexander K. Lee (2022-03-04). "UFC adds Drew Dober vs. Ricky Glenn to March 12 event". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
  47. ^ Nolan King (2023-02-13). "Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (Feb. 6-12)". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  48. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-04-22). "UFC Vegas 71: Heavy-Handed Christos Giagos Puts Down Rick Glenn Early". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  49. ^ "Drew Dober vs. Ricky Glenn set for UFC Fight Night event on Oct. 7". MMA Fighting. 2023-07-28. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  50. ^ McKinley, Charlotte (2023-10-07). "Drew Dober Marks First Win as a Father at UFC Vegas 80 against Ricky Glenn". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  51. ^ Drake Riggs (2024-07-12). "Morning Report: Paddy Pimblett says UFC 304 will be last fight on contract, open to boxing 'stupid YouTubers' - Fight Announcements". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  52. ^ Bryson Hester (2024-08-17). "UFC 305: Song Kenan Returns to Win Column, Defeats Ricky Glenn". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  53. ^ Behunin, Alexander (2024-10-09). "Cut! UFC Parts Ways With Nine Fighters To Make Room For Contender Series Fighters". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  54. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (June 17, 2021). "Ricky Glenn Levels Up For Octagon Return". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  55. ^ Cite error: The named reference Jon Fuentes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  56. ^ Sherdog.com. "Rick". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
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