Quick Facts
AriesBiography
Ricardo Romero (born April 15, 1978) is an American professional mixed martial arts 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.
A native of South Brunswick, New Jersey, Romero wrestled while at South Brunswick High School.
Mixed martial arts career
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 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.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Romero joined the UFC in June 2010 and was set to face former World Extreme Cagefighting 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 released from the promotion.
Bellator
Romero was then scheduled to make his Bellator debut against Tim Carpenter at Bellator 65. However the fight was cancelled prior to the event for unknown reasons.
Personal life
Romero has a son.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ring of Combat
- Ring of Combat Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- Ring of Combat Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- One successful title defense
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 14 matches | 11 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 2 |
| By submission | 6 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| By disqualification | 0 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 11–3 | James Te Huna | KO (punches) | UFC 135 | September 24, 2011 | 1 | 0:47 | Denver, Colorado, United States | |
| Loss | 11–2 | Kyle Kingsbury | TKO (knees to the body and punches) | UFC 126 | February 5, 2011 | 1 | 0:21 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 11–1 | Seth Petruzelli | Submission (straight armbar) | UFC 116 | July 3, 2010 | 2 | 3:05 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 10–1 | Silmar Rodrigo | Submission (americana) | Ring of Combat 27 | November 20, 2009 | 1 | 4:56 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 9–1 | Rich Lictawa | Submission (kimura) | Ring of Combat 26 | September 11, 2009 | 2 | 2:14 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Defended the ROC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–1 | Karen Grigoryan | TKO (punches) | Ring of Combat 25 | June 12, 2009 | 2 | 2:50 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Won the ROC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–1 | James McSweeney | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Ring of Combat 24 | April 17, 2009 | 1 | 2:27 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 6–1 | Brendan Barrett | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Ring of Combat 23 | February 20, 2009 | 2 | 0:44 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Loss | 5–1 | Glen Sandull | DQ (illegal knee) | Ring of Combat 21 | September 12, 2008 | 2 | 2:50 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | For the vacant ROC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 5–0 | Costas Philippou | Decision (split) | Ring of Combat 19 | May 9, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Randy Durant | TKO (punches) | Ring of Combat 18 | March 7, 2008 | 1 | 1:13 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | John Doyle | TKO (punches) | ROC 17: Beast of the Northeast Finals | November 30, 2007 | 1 | 3:19 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Won the ROC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 2–0 | John Clarke | TKO (corner stoppage) | ROC 16: Beast of the Northeast Semi-Finals | October 26, 2007 | 1 | 4:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Bryce Harrell | Submission (punches) | ROC 15: Beast of the Northeast Quarterfinals | September 7, 2007 | 1 | 2:09 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |