Anthony Ruiz (born November 3, 1977) is an American professional

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...

currently competing in the Light Heavyweight and Middleweight divisions of MMA. A professional since 2003, he has competed for

Bellator MMA Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) was an American mixed martial arts promotion (entertainment), promotion founded in 2008 by Bjorn Rebney and operated until 2025. The promotion takes its name from ''wikt:bellator, bellātor ...

Strikeforce Strike Force may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Games *Strike Force (video game), ''Strike Force'' (video game), a 1991 arcade game *''Commandos: Strike Force'', a 2006 video game *''Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce'', a 2009 video game *' ...

, the WEC,

ShoXC ''ShoXC'' is a mixed martial arts series produced by the mixed martial arts organization EliteXC, Showtime and Proelite.com. The series was announced on July 11, 2007. The purpose of the show is to highlight up and coming MMA fighters. On Octo ...

King of the Cage King of the Cage (KOTC) is a mixed martial arts promotion based in Southern California, United States. History KOTC was founded in 1998 by Terry Trebilcock Jr. KOTC features mostly amateur as well as up and coming MMA stars and former mainstre ...

Tachi Palace Fights Tachi Palace Fights (TPF) was an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion which hosted events at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California. Matchmaker for TPF was former fighter Richard Goodman. Regarded as a regional promotion, ...

, and the

Palace Fighting Championship Palace Fighting Championship (PFC) was a mixed martial arts (MMA) organization based in the United States that was created in 2007 by Christian Printup. It ceased operations in 2009. In 2001, Printup helped promotional newcomers Reed Harris and ...

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Ruiz began his professional MMA career in February 2003, debuting on Gladiator Challenge show. Fighting for a variety of California-based MMA promotions, he amassed a record of 13 wins against 9 losses over the first three years of his career.

Strikeforce

In October 2006, Ruiz signed with the

promotion. He fought on both main cards and on their

shows, earning a record of 2 wins and 4 losses with the company.

International competition

In 2012, Ruiz fought for the first time outside of his native California.

Vladimir Putin Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, having previously served from 2000 to 2008. Putin also served as Prime Minister of Ru ...

wired $150,000 to Ruiz after his fight with

Alexander Shlemenko Alexander Pavlovich Shlemenko (, born 20 May 1984) is a Russian mixed martial artist currently fighting in the Middleweight division. He is most notable for fighting for Bellator Fighting Championships, where he is the former Bellator Middlew ...

at League S-70: Russian Championship Final because he was so impressed with his performance.

Bellator MMA

Ruiz was expected to make his Bellator debut on September 19, 2014 at

Bellator 125 2014 in Bellator MMA was the tenth season for Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion. It began on February 28, 2014 and aired on Spike TV. The season included tournaments for the Heavyweight, Welterweight, Featherweight, Light Heavyweight ...

against Rafael Carvalho. However, when Brian Rogers' opponent, Brett Cooper, pulled out of their scheduled bout on the same card due to injury, Carvalho was moved up to the main card to face Rogers. Ruiz instead faced Nate James. He lost via split decision. Ruiz was a participant in Bellator's one-night Light Heavyweight tournament at Bellator MMA & Glory: Dynamite 1 on September 19, 2015. He faced

Francis Carmont Francis Carmont (born October 10, 1981) is a French professional mixed martial artist who last competed in the Light Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2004, Carmont has competed for Bellator MMA, the UFC, and KSW. Mixed mart ...

in the Alternate bout and lost by unanimous decision.

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Loss , align=center, 36–25 ,

Kendall Grove Kendall Grove (born November 12, 1982) is an American mixed martial artist who is currently signed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2003, he has also competed for the Bellator MMA, UFC, KSW, ProElite, King ...

, Submission (triangle choke) , WFC 110 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:30 ,

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Hawaii Hawaii ( ; ) is an island U.S. state, state of the United States, in the Pacific Ocean about southwest of the U.S. mainland. One of the two Non-contiguous United States, non-contiguous U.S. states (along with Alaska), it is the only sta ...

, United States , Catchweight (195 lbs) bout. , - , Loss , align=center, 36–24 , Kultar Gill , Submission (triangle choke) , Mamba Fight Night 6 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:02 ,

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, Canada , Catchweight (192 lbs) bout. , - , Loss , align=center, 36–23 , Jordan Young , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Bellator 210 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:48 ,

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, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 36–22 , Joey Cabezas , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Tachi Palace Fights 32 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:19 ,

Lemoore, California Lemoore (formerly La Tache and Lee Moore's) is a city in Kings County, California, United States. Lemoore is located west-southwest of Hanford, at an elevation of . It is part of the Hanford-Corcoran Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA Code 252 ...

, United States , Ruiz announced his retirement pre-fight. , - , Loss , align=center, 35–22 ,

Joachim Christensen Joachim Christensen (born November 7, 1978) is a retired Danish mixed martial artist. He was the Superior Challenge light heavyweight champion, as well as the German Mixed Martial Arts Championship (GMC) light heavyweight champion. He also comp ...

, Submission (armbar) , Abu Dhabi Warriors 4 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:47 ,

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, United Arab Emirates , , - , Loss , align=center, 35–21 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , Bellator 142: Dynamite 1 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

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, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 35–20 , Nate James , Decision (split) ,

, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Fresno, California Fresno (; ) is a city in the San Joaquin Valley of California, United States. It is the county seat of Fresno County, California, Fresno County and the largest city in the greater Central Valley (California), Central Valley region. It covers a ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 35–19 , Alexey Butorin , TKO (punches) , Plotforma S-70 5 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 4:46 ,

Sochi Sochi ( rus, Сочи, p=ˈsotɕɪ, a=Ru-Сочи.ogg, from – ''seaside'') is the largest Resort town, resort city in Russia. The city is situated on the Sochi (river), Sochi River, along the Black Sea in the North Caucasus of Souther ...

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 35–18 , Ramazan Mukailov , Decision (unanimous) , FEFoMP: Cup of Sakhalin Administration Head , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (, , ) is a city and the administrative center of Sakhalin Oblast, Russia. It is located on Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, north of Japan. Gas and oil extraction as well as processing are amongst the main industries on ...

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 34–18 , Owen Rubio , TKO (punches) , TWC 19: Blackout , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:33 ,

Porterville, California Porterville is a city at the base of Southern Sierra Nevada mountains on the eastern side of San Joaquin Valley, in Tulare County, California, United States. It is part of the Visalia-Porterville metropolitan statistical area. Serving as the ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 33–18 , Collin Hart , Decision (split) , TPF 17: Fall Brawl , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States ,

Middleweight Middleweight is a weight class in combat sports. Boxing Professional In professional boxing, the middleweight division is contested above and up to . Early boxing history is less than exact, but the middleweight designation seems to have beg ...

bout. , - , Win , align=center, 32–18 , Rafael del Real , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Gladiator Challenge: Showdown , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:35 ,

Woodlake, California Woodlake is a city in Tulare County, California, United States. It is situated in the San Joaquin Valley near the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. The population was 7,419 at the 2020 census, up from 7,279 at the 2010 census. In 1912, the cit ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 31–18 , Angel Deanda , TKO (punches) , TPF 15: Collision Course , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 3:39 ,

, United States , For Tachi Palace Fights Light Heavyweight Championship. , - , Loss , align=center, 31–17 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , League S-70: Russian Championship Final , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 30–16 , Scott Rosa , TKO (punches) , West Coast Fighting Championships: Showdown , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:43 ,

Yuba City, California Yuba City ( Maidu: ''Yubu'') is a city in Northern California and the county seat of Sutter County, California Sutter County is a county (United States), county located in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 United States census, ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 29–16 , Jared Torgeson , Decision (unanimous) , West Coast Fighting Championships: Bruvado Bash , , align=center, 5 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Placerville, California Placerville (, ; ''placer'', Spanish for "sand deposit", representing the placer mining that was predominant in the town's development, and ''ville'', French for "town") is a city in and the county seat of El Dorado County, California, United S ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 28–16 , Rick Randolph , TKO (punches) , Fight for Wrestling 4 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:00 ,

San Luis Obispo, California ; ; ; Chumashan languages, Chumash: ''tiłhini'') is a city and county seat of San Luis Obispo County, California, United States. Located on the Central Coast (California), Central Coast of California, San Luis Obispo is roughly halfway betwee ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 27–16 , Mike Moreno , TKO (punches) , Fight for Wrestling 4 , , align=center, N/A , align=center, N/A ,

Riverside, California Riverside is a city in and the county seat of Riverside County, California, United States. It is named for its location beside the Santa Ana River. As of the 2020 census, the city has a population of 314,998. It is the most populous city in th ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 26–16 , Reggie Orr , Submission (arm triangle choke) , MEZ Sports: Pandemonium 5 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, N/A ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 25–16 , Gerald Harris , Decision (unanimous) , TPF 9: The Contenders , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Lemoore, California, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 25–15 ,

Givanildo Santana Giva Santana (born November 20th, 1971) is a Brazilian retired professional mixed martial artist, who last fought in Bellator's Middleweight division. Santana also competed in the promotions ShoXC and M-1 Global. He is a decorated jiu-jitsu comp ...

, Submission (armbar) , MEZ Sports: Pandemonium 3 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:37 , Los Angeles, California, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 25–14 , Leopoldo Serao , Decision (split) , TPF 6: High Stakes , , align=center, 5 , align=center, 5:00 , Lemoore, California, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 25–13 , Kenny McCorkell , TKO (punches) , Pure Combat: Drop Zone , , align=center, 4 , align=center, 3:50 ,

Camp Pendleton, California Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the major West Coast of the United States, West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps and is one of the largest Marine Corps bases in the United States. It is on the Southern California coast in San Di ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 24–13 , Hector Ramirez , Decision (split) , TPF 3: Champions Collide , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States ,

Light Heavyweight Light heavyweight is a weight class in combat sports. Boxing Professional In professional boxing, the division is above and up to , falling between super middleweight and cruiserweight (boxing), cruiserweight. The light heavyweight class has ...

bout. , - , Win , align=center, 23–13 , Xavier Foupa-Pokam , Decision (unanimous) , TPF 2: Brawl in the Hall , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 22–13 ,

Gan McGee Gan McGee (born November 20, 1976) is an American mixed martial artist who has competed for the UFC, PRIDE, WEC and the XFC. Background McGee was born in Bismarck, North Dakota to Marguerite McGee (nee Ohde) and Curtis Warren McGee. McGee do ...

, KO (punches) , Pure Combat 9: Home Turf , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 1:14 ,

Visalia, California Visalia ( ) is a city in the agricultural San Joaquin Valley of California. The population was 141,384 as per the 2020 census. Visalia is the fifth-most populous city in the San Joaquin Valley, the 38th most populous in California, and 183 ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 21–13 ,

Aaron Rosa Aaron Isaac Rosa (born May 28, 1983) is an American former professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 2005 until 2013, he has competed for the UFC, Bellator, ShoXC, and Strikeforce. Background Born and raised in the bor ...

, Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) , Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:29 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 21–12 ,

Trevor Prangley Trevor Prangley (born 24 August 1972) is a South African mixed martial artist. He has fought in the UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator, Dream, King of the Cage, MFC, the SFL, Shark Fights, and Bodog Fight. He competed in the Middleweight and Li ...

, Decision (unanimous) , Strikeforce: At The Mansion II , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Los Angeles, California Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 21–11 , Jeremy Freitag , Decision (unanimous) , EliteXC: Unfinished Business , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Stockton, California Stockton is a city in and the county seat of San Joaquin County, California, San Joaquin County in the Central Valley (California), Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. It is the most populous city in the county, the List of municipal ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 20–11 ,

Bobby Southworth Bobby Southworth (born December 16, 1969) is an American retired mixed martial artist who fought in the Light Heavyweight division. He has fought in PRIDE FC and appeared on Season 1 of The Ultimate Fighter. He was the first Strikeforce Light He ...

, Decision (unanimous) , Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson , , align=center, 5 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 20–10 ,

Brad Imes Bradley Imes "Brad" Smith (born on March 13, 1977), better known as Brad Imes, is a retired American mixed martial artist. He appeared on The Ultimate Fighter 2, and has competed as a Heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Worl ...

, Decision (split) , PFC 6: No Retreat, No Surrender , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 3:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 19–10 , Jimmy Ambriz , Submission (verbal) , PURECOMBAT: From the Ashes , , align=center, 1 , align=center, N/A ,

, United States ,

Heavyweight Heavyweight is a weight class in combat sports and professional wrestling. Boxing Professional Male boxers who weigh over are considered heavyweights by 2 of the 4 major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation an ...

bout. , - , Win , align=center, 18–10 ,

, TKO (doctor stoppage) , Strikeforce: Four Men Enter, One Man Survives , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:52 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 17–10 , Francisco Bueno , Decision , GC 69: Bad Intentions , , align=center, 3 , align=center, N/A ,

Sacramento, California Sacramento ( or ; ; ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat, seat of Sacramento County, California, Sacramento County. Located at the confluence of the Sacramento Rive ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 16–10 , Jason Geris , TKO (referee stoppage) , ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Santa Ynez, California Santa Ynez ( ; Spanish for "St. Agnes", originally spelled ''Santa Inés'') is an unincorporated community in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. The population was 4,505 at the 2020 census, up from 4,418 ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 15–10 , Jeremy Freitag , TKO , GC 57: Holiday Beatings , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 3:48 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 14–10 ,

, Submission (armbar) , Strikeforce: Tank vs. Buentello , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:42 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 14–9 , Jeremy Freitag , TKO (punches) , WEC 23: Hot August Fights , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:46 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 13–9 , Dan Molina , Decision (unanimous) , GC 51: Madness at the Memorial , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 12–9 ,

Vladimir Matyushenko Vladimir Vladimirovich Matyushenko (born 4 January 1971) is a Belarusian retired mixed martial artist. A professional from 1997 until 2014, he competed for Bellator MMA, the UFC, Affliction, Jungle Fight, and is the former IFL light heavyw ...

, Submission (armbar) , Extreme Wars 3: Bay Area Brawl , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:03 ,

Oakland, California Oakland is a city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area in the U.S. state of California. It is the county seat and most populous city in Alameda County, California, Alameda County, with a population of 440,646 in 2020. A major We ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 12–8 , Shannon Kilgore , KO , KOTC: Heavy Hitters , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:05 , California, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 11–8 , Shane Yocum , TKO , GC 46: Avalanche , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:54 ,

Coarsegold, California Coarsegold, California, is a census-designated place in Madera County, situated in the central part of the state. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 4,144. Coarsegold holds historical significance as Madera County's last surviving "go ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 10–8 , Josh Jackson , TKO , GC 43: Gladiator Challenge 43 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:12 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 9–8 , Jocquin Sanchez , Submission (guillotine choke) , GC 39: Titans Collide , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:21 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 9–7 ,

Eddie Sanchez Eduardo Arturo Sanchez (born November 4, 1982) is an American retired professional mixed martial artist who last competed in the Heavyweight division. A professional from 2004 to 2014, he competed for the UFC, Bellator, Titan FC, Final Fight Cham ...

, Technical Submission (choke) , KOTC 54: Mucho Machismo , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:49 ,

San Jacinto, California San Jacinto ( , ; ) is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. It is located at the north end of the San Jacinto Valley, with Hemet, California, Hemet to its south and Beaumont, California, Beaumont to its north. The mountains ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 9–6 , Bryan Travers , Submission (guillotine choke) , GC 37: Throwdown , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:16 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 9–5 , Jeff Lacefield , Submission , GC 35: Cold Fury , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:15 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 8–5 , Jaime Jara , TKO , GC 33: Brutal Force , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:36 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 8–4 , Brian Sesma , TKO (retirement) , KOTC 44: Revenge , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 7–4 , Paul Mince , Decision (unanimous) , GC 31: Knockout Nightmare , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 6–4 , Jaime Jara , Submission (armbar) , GC 27: FightFest 2 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:05 ,

Colusa, California Colusa is a city in and the county seat of Colusa County, California, located in the Sacramento Valley region of the Central Valley. The population was 6,411 at the 2020 census, up from 5,971 at the 2010 census. Colusa originates from the l ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 6–3 , Bryan Pardoe , TKO , GC 26: FightFest 1 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:25 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 5–3 , Jaime Jara , Submission (armbar) , GC 26: FightFest 1 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:36 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 5–2 , Dusty Arden , Decision (unanimous) , GC 23: Gladiator Challenge 23 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 5–1 , Eduardo Martines , Decision , GC 21: Gladiator Challenge 21 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 4–1 , Josh Rudiger , KO , GC 20: Gladiator Challenge 20 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:46 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 3–1 , Robert Escalara , KO , GC 19: Gladiator Challenge 19 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:03 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 2–1 , John Dacota , TKO , GC 17: Gladiator Challenge 17 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:17 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 1–1 , Richard Toland , Submission (choke) , GC 15: Gladiator Challenge 15 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:31 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 0–1 , Desi Miner , Submission (rear-naked choke) , GC 14: Gladiator Challenge 14 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:29 ,

, United States ,

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Ruiz, Anthony American male mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu American mixed martial artists of Mexican descent American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu Sportspeople from Fresno, California 1977 births Living people People from Coarsegold, California Sportspeople from Madera County, California