Skip to content
Middleweight · “Diesel”

Joe Riggs

49-18-1 (2 NC) UFC 5-7-0
Positional Grappler Precision Striker Submission-Vulnerable Gets Dropped
6'0"Height
70"Reach
SouthpawStance
44Age
2KO wins
1Sub wins
60.0%Finish rate
5:33Avg fight
Simulate Tapology ↗

Skill profile

Rated 0–100 against every UFC veteran · the rim is reserved for specialists, and only efficiency opens it
Striking — Below avg, rated 33.4 of 100 Accuracy — Above avg, rated 73.3 of 100 Striking D — Average, rated 64.3 of 100 Durability — Weak, rated 19.7 of 100 Wrestling — Average, rated 64.9 of 100 TD Defense — Average, rated 55.6 of 100 Grappling — Average, rated 45.0 of 100 Control — Above avg, rated 80.2 of 100 Striking Accuracy Striking D Durability Wrestling TD Defense Grappling Control
  1. Control Above avg 80
  2. Accuracy Above avg 73
  3. Wrestling Average 65
  4. Striking D Average 64
  5. TD Defense Average 56
  6. Grappling Average 45
  7. Striking Below avg 33
  8. Durability Weak 20

Built on 66 minutes of tracked cage time across 12 statted fights — every axis is held down until there is more tape, so read this as a sketch rather than a verdict.

Positional Grappler above avg control — rates 80 of 100 among UFC veterans
Precision Striker above avg accuracy — rates 73 of 100 among UFC veterans
Submission-Vulnerable 4 of 7 losses came by submission
Gets Dropped knocked down 4 times in 66 minutes of cage time
Career rates — the raw numbers behind the chart
Sig. strikes landed / min2.47
Sig. strikes absorbed / min1.92
Striking accuracy50.8%
Striking defense52.4%
Knockdowns / 15 min0.22
Takedowns / 15 min2.92
Takedown accuracy61.9%
Takedown defense72.0%
Sub attempts / 15 min0.45
Control time33.2%
Record vs .500+ opponents1-5

Striking trend

Sig. strikes/min, last 8 fights · green = win
February 4, 2006 vs Nick Diaz — 3.4/min (W) Feb '06 May 27, 2006 vs Mike Swick — 0.43/min (L) — only 2.3 min of tape, so this rate reflects how fast the fight ended more than how he fought May '06 August 17, 2006 vs Jason Von Flue — 0.5/min (W) — only 2.0 min of tape, so this rate reflects how fast the fight ended more than how he fought Aug '06 December 13, 2006 vs Diego Sanchez — 1.71/min (L) — only 1.8 min of tape, so this rate reflects how fast the fight ended more than how he fought Dec '06 December 13, 2014 vs Ben Saunders — 2.11/min (L) — only 0.9 min of tape, so this rate reflects how fast the fight ended more than how he fought Dec '14 April 25, 2015 vs Patrick Cote — 1.4/min (L) Apr '15 September 5, 2015 vs Ron Stallings — 4.69/min (W) Sep '15 February 21, 2016 vs Chris Camozzi — 0.0/min (L) — only 0.4 min of tape, so this rate reflects how fast the fight ended more than how he fought Feb '16

Fight history

12 UFC bouts · newest first · opponent records as of fight night
L Chris Camozzi 22-10 walk-in KO/TKO · R1 0:26 — UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs Cowboy · February 21, 2016
0/0Sig. strikes
11/13Absorbed
0/0Takedowns
0:00Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
Full event page › Deep dive vs Chris Camozzi › Simulate vs Chris Camozzi ›
W Ron Stallings 13-7 walk-in DQ · R2 2:28 — UFC 191: Johnson vs Dodson 2 · September 5, 2015
35/61Sig. strikes
24/36Absorbed
2/2Takedowns
3:59Control
1Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
Full event page › Deep dive vs Ron Stallings › Simulate vs Ron Stallings ›
L Patrick Cote 20-9 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC 186: Johnson vs Horiguchi · April 25, 2015
21/35Sig. strikes
21/48Absorbed
2/2Takedowns
4:20Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
Full event page › Deep dive vs Patrick Cote › Simulate vs Patrick Cote ›
L Ben Saunders 17-6-2 walk-in Submission · R1 0:57 — UFC on FOX: Dos Santos vs Miocic · December 13, 2014
2/3Sig. strikes
4/7Absorbed
1/1Takedowns
0:19Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
Full event page › Deep dive vs Ben Saunders › Simulate vs Ben Saunders ›
L Diego Sanchez 16-0 walk-in KO/TKO · R1 1:45 — UFC Fight Night: Sanchez vs Riggs · December 13, 2006
3/6Sig. strikes
6/10Absorbed
0/0Takedowns
0:00Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
Full event page › Deep dive vs Diego Sanchez › Simulate vs Diego Sanchez ›
W Jason Von Flue 11-5-1 walk-in Submission · R1 2:01 — UFC Fight Night 6 · August 17, 2006
1/4Sig. strikes
0/2Absorbed
1/1Takedowns
0:38Control
0Knockdowns
1Sub attempts
Full event page › Deep dive vs Jason Von Flue › Simulate vs Jason Von Flue ›
L Mike Swick 8-1 walk-in Submission · R1 2:19 — UFC 60: Hughes vs Gracie · May 27, 2006
1/4Sig. strikes
5/12Absorbed
0/2Takedowns
0:27Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
Full event page › Deep dive vs Mike Swick › Simulate vs Mike Swick ›
W Nick Diaz 9-4 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC 57: Liddell vs Couture 3 · February 4, 2006
51/116Sig. strikes
38/106Absorbed
3/8Takedowns
2:04Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
Full event page › Deep dive vs Nick Diaz › Simulate vs Nick Diaz ›
L Matt Hughes 38-4 walk-in Submission · R1 3:28 — UFC 56: Full Force · November 19, 2005
1/5Sig. strikes
8/13Absorbed
0/0Takedowns
0:00Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
Full event page › Deep dive vs Matt Hughes › Simulate vs Matt Hughes ›
W Chris Lytle 20-11-5 walk-in TKO - Doctor's Stoppage · R2 2:00 — UFC 55: Fury · October 7, 2005
15/25Sig. strikes
3/8Absorbed
1/1Takedowns
2:57Control
0Knockdowns
1Sub attempts
Full event page › Deep dive vs Chris Lytle › Simulate vs Chris Lytle ›
L Ivan Salaverry 11-4 walk-in Submission · R1 2:42 — UFC 52: Couture vs Liddell 2 · April 16, 2005
6/11Sig. strikes
2/7Absorbed
1/1Takedowns
1:20Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
Full event page › Deep dive vs Ivan Salaverry › Simulate vs Ivan Salaverry ›
W Joe Doerksen 27-5 walk-in KO/TKO · R2 3:39 — UFC 49: Unfinished Business · August 21, 2004
29/55Sig. strikes
6/7Absorbed
2/3Takedowns
6:04Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
Full event page › Deep dive vs Joe Doerksen › Simulate vs Joe Doerksen ›

Walk-in records count UFC bouts in this database. For the pre-UFC career, see the record breakdown below or the Tapology button up top.

Record breakdown

Full pro career (Wikipedia, results only)
49-18-1 (2 NC)Pro record
Grace Fighting SystemsGym / team

Wins by method

KO/TKO 26
Submission 18
Decision 4
Other 1

Losses by method

KO/TKO 9
Submission 6
Decision 3
Other 0

Draws: 1 · No contests: 2

Fights by organization

RITC 20
UFC 12
Strikeforce 6
M-1 Challenge 4
WEC 3
KOP 2
Z Promotions 2
Bellator 2

+ 17 more organizations in the full career list

Full career — 70 fights, every organization
OpponentMethodEventOrg RdTime
NC George Sullivan NC (overturned) Ring of Combat 70
November 23, 2019
 Ring of Combat 3 2:08
W Dan Yates TKO (submission to punches) KOP 63
January 4, 2019
 KOP 1 3:31
L Artem Frolov TKO (knee injury) M-1 Challenge 93: Shlemenko vs. Silva
June 1, 2018
 M-1 Challenge 2 0:46
D Borys Polezhai Draw (split) M-1 Challenge 90: Kunchenko vs. Butenko
March 30, 2018
 M-1 Challenge 3 5:00
W Erick Lozano TKO (punches) KOP 60
February 24, 2018
 KOP 2 —
W Oleg Olenichev TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 84: Kunchenko vs. Romanov
October 27, 2017
 M-1 Challenge 3 3:21
W Shonie Carter TKO (punches) Z Promotions: Fight Night Medicine Hat 4
September 9, 2017
 Z Promotions 2 4:54
W Dmitry Samoilov TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 81: Battle in the Mountains 6
July 22, 2017
 M-1 Challenge 3 1:24
W Jerome Jones TKO (punches) WXC 68
April 8, 2017
 WXC 1 0:27
W Billy Martin TKO (punches) ICF 27: The Last Stand
April 8, 2017
 ICF 1 1:48
W Cody McKenzie TKO (submission to punches) Z Promotions: Fight Night Medicine Hat 2
October 28, 2016
 Z Promotions 1 1:51
L Chris Camozzi TKO (knees) UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Cowboy
February 21, 2016
 UFC 1 0:26
W Ron Stallings DQ (illegal upkick) UFC 191
September 5, 2015
 UFC 2 2:28
L Patrick Côté Decision (unanimous) UFC 186
April 25, 2015
 UFC 3 5:00
L Ben Saunders TKO (neck injury) UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic
December 13, 2014
 UFC 1 0:57
W Mike Bronzoulis Decision (unanimous) Bellator 106
November 2, 2013
 Bellator 3 5:00
W Cris Leyva TKO (punches) RITC 164
November 16, 2012
 RITC 1 2:28
W Josh Cavan KO (punches) Made For War 1
October 13, 2012
 Made For War 1 4:16
W Shane Johnson KO (punch) RITC 160
June 22, 2012
 RITC 2 2:33
W Aaron Brink Submission (armbar) RITC 159
May 11, 2012
 RITC 2 1:18
W Shannon Ritch TKO (punches) Duel for Domination
November 26, 2011
 Duel for Domination 1 0:56
L Kendall Grove Submission (guillotine choke) ProElite 1
August 27, 2011
 ProElite 1 0:59
L Bryan Baker KO (punch) Bellator 43
May 7, 2011
 Bellator 2 3:53
L Jordan Mein TKO (punches) Wreck MMA: Strong & Proud
January 28, 2011
 Wreck MMA 2 4:30
W Trent Thorne TKO (elbows) KOTC: 48
November 21, 2010
 KOTC 1 3:56
W Louis Taylor TKO (submission to punches) Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs. Taylor
August 13, 2010
 Strikeforce Challengers 3 2:07
L Jay Hieron Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Miami
January 30, 2010
 Strikeforce 3 5:00
W Nick Almen TKO (submission to punches and elbows) Ironman MMA 1
December 11, 2009
 Ironman MMA 1 1:51
W David Barnes TKO (punches) RITC 138
December 4, 2009
 RITC 1 0:57
W Phil Baroni Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields
June 6, 2009
 Strikeforce 3 5:00
W Luke Stewart TKO (punches) Strikeforce: Destruction
November 21, 2008
 Strikeforce 2 2:05
L Kazuo Misaki TKO (punches) Strikeforce: At The Mansion II
September 20, 2008
 Strikeforce 2 2:29
W Matt Dempsey Submission (rear-naked choke) RITC 112
July 26, 2008
 RITC 2 1:47
L Cory Devela TKO (slam) Strikeforce: At The Dome
February 23, 2008
 Strikeforce 1 1:22
W Eugene Jackson KO (punches) Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion
September 29, 2007
 Strikeforce 1 3:56
W Dan Chambers Submission (triangle choke) Hardcore Championship Fighting: Unfinished Business
July 21, 2007
 Hardcore Championship Fighting 1 3:25
L Diego Sanchez KO (knee) UFC Fight Night: Sanchez vs. Riggs
December 13, 2006
 UFC 1 1:45
W Jason Von Flue Submission (triangle choke) UFC Fight Night 6
August 17, 2006
 UFC 1 2:01
L Mike Swick Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 60
May 27, 2006
 UFC 1 2:19
W Nick Diaz Decision (unanimous) UFC 57
February 4, 2006
 UFC 3 5:00
L Matt Hughes Submission (kimura) UFC 56
November 19, 2005
 UFC 1 3:28
W Chris Lytle TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC 55
October 7, 2005
 UFC 2 2:00
W Rob Kimmons TKO (submission to punches) WEC 15
May 19, 2005
 WEC 1 1:24
L Ivan Salaverry Submission (triangle choke) UFC 52
April 16, 2005
 UFC 1 2:42
W Thomas Gil Submission (armbar) RITC 66
November 13, 2004
 RITC 1 2:05
W Isidro Gonzalez TKO (punches and elbows) WEC 12
October 21, 2004
 WEC 1 1:50
W Joe Doerksen TKO (submission to elbows) UFC 49
August 21, 2004
 UFC 2 3:39
W Shane Johnson KO (punches) XCF 5: Evolution
May 28, 2004
 XCF 1 —
W Kendall Grove KO (elbows) Rumble on the Rock 5
May 7, 2004
 Rumble on the Rock 1 3:09
W Dave Vitkay KO (punches) ICC: Trials 2
April 30, 2004
 ICC 1 —
W John Renken KO (punch) RITC 60: 'The Saint' Goes Marching In
March 20, 2004
 RITC 1 0:28
W Chris Kiever KO (punch) IFC: Battleground Tahoe
January 31, 2004
 IFC 1 0:49
L Alex Stiebling Submission (triangle choke) WEC 9
January 16, 2004
 WEC 2 1:54
W Cory Timmerman Submission (armbar) RITC 57: Tucson Revisited
December 13, 2003
 RITC 1 1:11
W Frank Alcala TKO (punches) IFC: Rumble on the Rio
December 6, 2003
 IFC 1 0:31
NC Andy Montana No Contest RITC 53: The Beat Goes On
September 13, 2003
 RITC — —
W Greg Wikan TKO (corner stoppage) ECS: Evolution
July 19, 2003
 ECS 3 5:00
W Will Hammond TKO (punches) Art of War 2
June 21, 2003
 Art of War 1 —
L Travis Fulton Submission (choke) RITC 45: Finally
March 1, 2003
 RITC 1 0:48
W Herb Dean TKO (submission to punches) RITC 43: The Match
January 18, 2003
 RITC 1 0:52
L Wesley Correira KO (knee and punch) Rumble on the Rock 1
December 28, 2002
 Rumble on the Rock 2 2:07
W Lemuel Vincent TKO (punches) RITC 42: Road Trip
December 7, 2002
 RITC 1 0:23
W Allan Sullivan Submission (armbar) RITC 39: Bring It
October 19, 2002
 RITC 3 1:57
W Joe Pardo Decision (unanimous) RITC 38: Let's Roll
September 7, 2002
 RITC 3 3:00
W Jess Morton TKO (retirement) RITC 36: The Rematch
June 22, 2002
 RITC 1 3:00
W Andy Montana TKO (submission to punches) RITC 35: This Time It's Personal
May 3, 2002
 RITC 1 1:24
L Homer Moore Decision (unanimous) RITC 34
March 15, 2002
 RITC 3 3:00
W Joey Vigueria TKO (submission to punches) RITC 33: The Big Show
February 2, 2002
 RITC 1 2:00
W Justin Lyon TKO (submission to punches) RITC 31
November 7, 2001
 RITC 1 0:33
W Ryan Roath TKO (submission to punches) RITC 30: Soaring to New Heights
September 26, 2001
 RITC 1 2:32

Career history from the fighter's Wikipedia record table (Joe Riggs) — results only, no strike stats; UFC bouts are marked and carry full stats in the fight history above.

Division context

vs. 167 qualified Middleweight fighters · tick = division mean
Striking volume /min 2.5 avg 3.3
Strikes absorbed /min 1.9 avg 3.3
Striking accuracy 50.8% avg 46.9%
Striking defense 52.4% avg 53.5%
Takedowns /15 min 2.9 avg 1.6
Takedown accuracy 61.9% avg 40.5%
Takedown defense 72.0% avg 61.5%
Sub attempts /15 min 0.5 avg 0.7
Control time 33.2% avg 21.7%
Finish rate 60.0% avg 60.7%