American mixed martial artist
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.
Background
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
Early career
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
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
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
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
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
Mixed martial arts record
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
References
^ a b c d "Ricky Glenn | UFC" . UFC.com. 14 September 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2021 .
^ Thomas Gerbasi (December 15, 2020). "Rick Glenn Missed The Bright Lights" . Ultimate Fighting Championship .
^ "Rick Glenn MMA" . rickglennmma.com . Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020 .
^ 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 .
^ "Team Alpha Male's Rick Glenn happy with sunny California, high-level training partners his size" . MMAjunkie.com . December 22, 2017.
^ "Rick Glenn" . Tapology . August 2, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2017 .
^ 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 .
^ Daniel Vreeland (December 16, 2020). "Episode 252: Alex Morono, Rick Glenn and UFC Vegas 17" (Podcast).
^ a b c d e Harris, Scott. "The Beaten Path: Prospect Rick Glenn Goes from Iowa Farm Town to World Series" . Bleacher Report . Archived from the original on 2017-08-02. Retrieved 2017-08-02 .
^ @gladiatormma (January 1, 2022). " "(...) What an Honor! Received my Black Belt from @360bjj !!! Thank you Scott! (...)" " . Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Instagram .
^ http://rickglennmma.com/about.html Archived 2019-02-20 at the Wayback Machine [bare URL ]
^ "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 .
^ a b Sherdog.com. "Rick" . Sherdog . Retrieved 2017-08-02 .
^ "UFC's Glenn says leaving Costco job was 'pretty difficult' " . Bloody Elbow . Archived from the original on 2017-08-02. Retrieved 2017-08-02 .
^ "UFC 208 Prelim Breakout Star: Rick Glenn | MMA Manifesto" . thesportsdaily.com . 9 February 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-08-02. Retrieved 2017-08-02 .
^ "Evan Dunham gets new opponent at UFN 94" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved 2017-08-02 .
^ "UFC Fight Night 94 results: Evan Dunham tops Rick Glenn by decision in entertaining brawl" . MMAjunkie . 2016-09-18. Archived from the original on 2017-08-02. Retrieved 2017-08-02 .
^ "Brooklyn's Phillipe Nover set to fight Rick Glenn at UFC 208" . MMA Fighting . Archived from the original on 2017-08-02. Retrieved 2017-08-02 .
^ "Brooklyn's own Phillipe Nover booked for UFC 208 home fight vs. Rick Glenn" . MMAjunkie . 2016-12-28. Retrieved 2017-08-02 .
^ "UFC 208 results: De Randamie beats Holm for first women's featherweight title" . Los Angeles Times . ISSN 0458-3035 . Retrieved 2017-08-02 .
^ "Brooklyn's Nover defeated at UFC 208" . Newsday . Retrieved 2017-08-02 .
^ "UFC 215 gets first fight: Gavin Tucker meets Rick Glenn in Edmonton" . MMAjunkie . 2017-05-25. Retrieved 2017-08-02 .
^ "Halifax's rising UFC star Gavin Tucker returns to the cage with Edmonton fight" . The Chronicle Herald . 2017-05-25. Retrieved 2017-08-02 .
^ "UFC 215 results: Rick Glenn overwhelms Gavin Tucker, who earns no mercy from referee" . MMAjunkie . 2017-09-10. Archived from the original on 2017-09-10. Retrieved 2017-09-10 .
^ "Gavin Tucker" . Tapology . Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2017 .
^ 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 .
^ "Tucker: Ref 'should sleep easy' after UFC 215" . Bloody Elbow . Archived from the original on 2017-09-11. Retrieved 2017-09-12 .
^ "Myles Jury to fight Rick Glenn at UFC 219 in Las Vegas" . Las Vegas Review-Journal . 2017-10-11. Retrieved 2017-10-12 .
^ "UFC 219 results: Myles Jury cruises to win over Rick Glenn" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved 2017-12-31 .
^ 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 .
^ "UFC Fight Night 133 results: Rick Glenn survives Dennis Bermudez's takedowns for split call" . MMAjunkie . 2018-07-15. Archived from the original on 2018-08-15. Retrieved 2018-07-15 .
^ Alexander K. Lee (2018-11-05). "Rick Glenn steps in for injured Gilbert Melendez, fights Arnold Allen at TUF 28 Finale" . mmafighting.com. Archived from the original on 2018-11-06. Retrieved 2018-11-05 .
^ Jay Pettry (2018-11-16). "Arnold Allen injured, out of TUF 28 Finale bout against Rick Glenn" . sherdog.com. Archived from the original on 2018-11-16. Retrieved 2018-11-16 .
^ 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 .
^ "TUF 28 Finale weigh-in results: Dos Anjos vs. Usman set, but two miss" . MMAjunkie . 2018-11-29. Retrieved 2018-11-30 .
^ "TUF 28 Finale results: Kevin Aguilar batters a gutsy Rick Glenn in bloody battle" . MMAjunkie . 2018-12-01. Retrieved 2018-12-01 .
^ "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 .
^ "Rick Glenn vs. Carlton Minus scratched from UFC Vegas 17" . MMA Fighting . 2020-12-17. Retrieved 2020-12-17 .
^ Heck, Mike (2021-04-03). "Rick Glenn vs. Joaquim Silva added to UFC event on June 19" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved 2021-04-03 .
^ 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 .
^ Mike Heck (June 22, 2021). What the Heck: Ovince Saint Preux, Rick Glenn, Shaun Al-Shatti and Talita Alencar - MMA Fighting . mmafighting.com. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021 – via YouTube.
^ DNA, MMA (2021-09-25). "BREAKING: Ricky Glenn vervangt Carlos Diego Ferreira op 23 oktober tegen Grant Dawson" . MMA DNA . Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-26 .
^ Law, Eddie (2021-10-23). "UFC Vegas 41 Results: Grant Dawson and Ricky Glenn Fight To A Draw" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2021-10-23 .
^ MMA Decisions (2021-10-23). "MMA Decisions - Grant Dawson vs Ricky Glenn" . mmadecisions.com. Archived from the original on 2024-08-18. Retrieved 2024-08-18 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2022-01-05). "UFC: Ricky Glenn vs. Drew Dober Set for March 12 Fight Night" . Cageside Press . Archived from the original on 2022-01-05. Retrieved 2021-01-05 .
^ Alexander K. Lee (2022-03-04). "UFC adds Drew Dober vs. Ricky Glenn to March 12 event" . mmafighting.com. Archived from the original on 2022-03-06. Retrieved 2022-03-04 .
^ Nolan King (2023-02-13). "Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (Feb. 6-12)" . MMA Junkie . Archived from the original on 2023-02-13. Retrieved 2023-02-13 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2023-04-22). "UFC Vegas 71: Heavy-Handed Christos Giagos Puts Down Rick Glenn Early" . Cageside Press . Archived from the original on 2023-04-25. Retrieved 2023-04-24 .
^ "Drew Dober vs. Ricky Glenn set for UFC Fight Night event on Oct. 7" . MMA Fighting . 2023-07-28. Archived from the original on 2023-07-29. Retrieved 2023-07-29 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ Bryson Hester (2024-08-17). "UFC 305: Song Kenan Returns to Win Column, Defeats Ricky Glenn" . cagesidepress.com. Archived from the original on 2024-08-17. Retrieved 2024-08-18 .
^ 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 .
^ Thomas Gerbasi (June 17, 2021). "Ricky Glenn Levels Up For Octagon Return" . Ultimate Fighting Championship .
^ Cite error: The named reference Jon Fuentes
was invoked but never defined (see the help page ).
^ Sherdog.com. "Rick" . Sherdog . Retrieved 2018-04-15 .
External links