Joe Riggs

Joseph Jonathan "Diesel" Riggs (born September 23, 1982) is an American mixed martial arts fighter. He has competed at weights ranging from Heavyweight down to Welterweight. Currently, Riggs fights as a Middleweight.

Biography

Joe Riggs was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He dreamed of fighting in the UFC since he was 10 years old. He started fighting right after finishing high school, and decided to do it full-time after attending college for a year.Fact|date=July 2007

Martial arts background

Riggs started boxing as a child with his father. Although Riggs is right handed, he was encouraged by his boxing coach to fight southpaw, making his power hand his lead hand.cite web | author=Knucklepit.com| year=2005| title=Joe Riggs| format=| work=The Middleweight Casting a Heavyweight Shadow | url=http://www.knucklepit.com/mixed-martial-arts-joe_riggs.htm | accessdate=2006-06-09]

He began wrestling at Cactus high school in Glendale, AZ where he was inspired by an assistant coach known as Benjamin Metcalfe, he also followed in the footsteps of his hero, Randy Couture, and became an All-American twice. Currently, Riggs also holds a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Second-Dan BJJ black belt, Gustavo Dantas.

Riggs' strength training consists primarily of plyometrics. His weight training is geared to maintain his muscle mass, and consists of squats, deadlifts and cleans. Riggs does a lot of pushups and circuit training.

Riggs credits his success to his old coach Benjamin Metcalfe, and his knockout power and athleticism. He says that his favorite technique is a right hook.

Mixed martial arts career

Over his career, Riggs has fought in the Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight and Welterweight divisions, and became a four-time Desert Quest champion, two-time Grappler's Quest Advance champion, Rage in the Cage Heavyweight and Middleweight champion, Art of War Heavyweight champion, Evolution Combat Heavyweight champion, and XCF Light Heavyweight champion. cite web | author=UFC.com| year=| title=Joe Riggs| format=| work=Joe Riggs Fighter Detail | url=http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=fighter.detail&pid=344 | accessdate=2006-06-08]

Riggs' dream of fighting in the UFC materialized in 2004, in a winning bout against Canadian fighter Joe Doerksen. Riggs received his shot at the UFC Welterweight title at "UFC 56" in November 2005 against Matt Hughes.

Originally, the title shot was offered to Karo Parisyan, who had to withdraw due to a torn hamstring. When Riggs was contacted to take Parisyan's place he jumped at the chance, despite having fought at "UFC 55" just a month earlier. However, Riggs did not make the required weight and the fight was declared a non-title event, due to Hughes allowing Riggs to fight him (if a fighter does not make weight for a match, the match may still take place if their opponent allows it). Despite his efforts, Riggs could not mount a significant challenge; Hughes took him down and submitted him with a kimura from half-guard just minutes into the first round of the fight.

Following his loss to Hughes, Riggs rebounded to win against Nick Diaz (decision) at "UFC 57". In the hospital room after the fight, Diaz and Riggs got into a physical altercation where they had to be separated by police.

Riggs then moved up to Middleweight to face "The Ultimate Fighter" alumni Mike Swick. Early in the fight Riggs was caught in a guillotine choke and tapped out. Riggs then fought "The Ultimate Fighter 2's" Jason Von Flue, submitting him with a triangle choke.

Riggs' last UFC bout was on December 13, 2006 against Welterweight contender Diego Sanchez at UFC Fight Night 7. Riggs lost the fight due to knockout from a hook followed by a knee in 1:45 of the first round.

Following the fight with Sanchez, Riggs chose to go to the WEC and compete for the vacant Middleweight championship, but had to pull out of the fight the day before because of a recurring back injury. [ [http://www.mmaontap.com/mma/entry/riggs-pulls-out-of-wec-fight/ MMaontap article stating that Riggs has a back injury ] ]

Most recently, Riggs lost to Cory Devela via TKO at due to re-injuring his back while pummeling before Devela threw him. He was a heavy favorite in this fight, and his loss continued a streak of performances that did not live up to the expectations for the talented fighter (particularly vs. Hughes, Salaverry, Swick, and Sanchez).

Riggs was to return to action on , facing Jiujitsu specialist Luke Stewart. Riggs stepped in as a late replacement for Shonie Carter who was injured in training. The fight was to be contested at a catchweight of 178 pounds. [http://mmamania.com/2008/06/19/joe-riggs-vs-luke-stewart-strikeforce-fight-booked-with-shonie-carter-hurt/] However, He was denied licensure by the California State Athletic Commission after disclosing his recent use of prescription medication during the licensing process. Joe Riggs lost to Kazuo Misaki at Strikeforce at the Playboy Mansion on Semptember 20, 2008. [http://www.sherdog.com/news/pictures.asp?n_id=13442]

Personal life

Joe and his wife, Lisa, welcomed a son in the summer of 2006, but he passed away shortly after birth. [ [http://www.sportsline.com/boxing/story/10064474/3 Interview with Joe where he talks about the death of his son] ] Their second son, Joseph Diesel Riggs, was born on June 28, 2007. [ [http://www.thefightnetwork.com/news_detail.php?nid=4465 The eight-time UFC veteran has just begun to elevate his training after welcoming the birth of his newborn son, Joseph Diesel Riggs, June 28.] ]

On an episode of "The Beatdown" on Sherdog.com, Riggs came onto the show. He revealed the fact that he became addicted to painkillers and medication, and had been on it well before his fight with Jason Von Flue. He had been taking as many as twenty painkillers a day, and realized he had a problem "when my doctor prescribed me 120 Oxycontin, and I finished them in five days". When he told his doctor about this, he was told that if he was any other person he (the doctor) would've been pumping his stomach. He is now clean.

MMA record

References

External links

*Sherdog|id=2765|name=Joe Riggs
* [http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=fighter.detail&pid=344 UFC profile]
* [http://www.knucklepit.com/mixed-martial-arts-joe_riggs.htm Knucklepit interview]