Rick Roufus

Rick Roufus (born June 3, 1967) is an American kickboxer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin,United States. He currently lives in Tempe, Arizona, USA. He is one of the most visible figures of his sport.

Roufus, nicknamed "The Jet", has been a six time full contact kick-boxing world champion winning two different weightclass titles under the IKF, [http://www.IKFKickboxing.com International Kickboxing Federation] . In the early 1990s, he announced he would change profession and turn to conventional boxing instead. He enjoyed some success as a boxer, winning the WBC's Continental Americas Cruiserweight title. He was never able to fight for a world championship as a conventional boxer however, and returned to kickboxing in the late 1990s. Roufus lost his ISKA. Full Contact World Light Heavyweight title by 11th round KO in the rematch to Ernesto Hoost in 1994. He added the K-1's U.S. championship to his six world titles in 1998.

He holds a record of 57 wins and 7 losses, with 40 wins by knockout. Most recently defeated Mehrdad Khan Moayedi by TKO in the 3rd round on 3.4.2006.

Kickboxing career

*IKF Pro FCR Light Heavyweight Champion: Roufus became the second IKF Men's PRO CHAMPION and the second IKF Men's Pro World Champion when he defeated Michael McDonald of Vancouver, BC, Canada, by KO at :43 seconds of round 1. The bout was at Caesars Tahoe Casino in Tahoe, NV, USA on January 22, 1994. Roufus retired his IKF FCR Title to move into to International rules in 1998.
*IKF Pro IR Heavyweight Champion: Roufus won his title on May 15, 1999 when he defeated Stan Longinidis of Boxhill, Victoria, Australia by TKO after Longinidis suffered a broken bone in his foot at the end of round 9. Roufus was ahead on all 3 judges cards at the time, 89-81, 86-83 and 88-81. The bout was in Lowell Massachusetts, USA. On September 29, 2003 Roufus Officially announced his retirement to the IKF and the IKF Retired his title. 5-3-2002 in his rematch with Michael McDonald he tore his ACL (Knee). However, Roufus came back to fight, and defeat Maurice Smith, a year later.

Boxing career

Roufus shifted his focus to professional boxing in 1995, and was much less successful. After five consecutive wins, he drew with journeyman Louis Monaco in 1996. He was later TKO'd in 1997 by former titlist Arthur Williams. In a 2001 comeback, he was TKO'd in the 9th by contender Dale Brown and he retired from boxing following the fight. He retired with a record of 13-5-1.

Mixed Martial Arts career

Roufus, was to make his MMA debut against former UFC heavyweight champion Mark Kerr at a WCO event in San Diego, California on January 12, 2008 at the San Diego Sports Arena, was denied his application by the California State Athletic Commission.

In his MMA debut, Roufus lost to former UFC heavyweight champion Maurice Smith in the first round via kimura at the event in Tacoma, Washington on February 23, 2008 at the Tacoma Dome. [ [http://www.strikeforceusa.net/news.asp?ID=61 Strikeforce - Strikeforce At The Dome: Sapp Returns, Smith Battles Roufus ] ]

On March 29, 2008, Roufus had his second MMA bout, this time in Newkirk, Oklahoma for Caged Combat Championship Fights'(CCCF) "Battle on the Border" event. Roufus defeated Mike Buell via unanimous decision.

Since then he has won two more fights against BJ Lacy and Roberto Martinez bringing his mixed martial arts record to 3 wins with 1 loss. [http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=27343]

Titles

Kickboxing
* 1-7-1986 PKA US Middleweight Title Sylvester Cash Atlanta, GA
* 4-16-1987 KICK Super Middleweight Title KO Round 7 John Moncayo Atlanta, GA
* 7-20-1989 FFKA Super Middleweight Title KO Round 3 Andy Mayo Milwaukee, WI
* 2-4-1990 FFKA Light Heavyweight Title UD Kevin Whaley El Lancaster, PA
* 6-22-1991 ISKA/PKC Light Heavyweight Title KO Round 2 Marek Piotrowski Chicago, IL
* 1-22-94: International Kickboxing Federation IKF Light Heavyweight World Title: KO, 43 sec. Round 1 Michael McDonald, Tahoe, NV, USA
* 6-1-1996 ISKA Heavyweight Title TKO Round 5 Igor Sharapov Paris, France
* 5-14-1999 International Kickboxing Federation IKF Heavyweight World Title: TKO Round 9 Stan Longinidis, Lowell, MA, USA
* 8-7-1998 K-1 USA GRAND PRIX KO Round 2 Jerome Tuscan Las Vegas, NVBoxing
*8-10-1996 WBC Continental Americas Cruiserweight Champion TKO Round 4 Sean McClain Las Vegas, NV

References

External links

*

Rick Roufus on Myspace (myspace.com/rickroufus)