Michael Richman (born June 23, 1985) is an American

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 ...

and bare-knuckle boxer currently competing with

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is an American bare-knuckle boxing promotion based in Philadelphia. The promotion was founded in April 2018, and is presided over by David Feldman. BKFC is the first promotion to hold an official st ...

, where he is a former BKFC Light Heavyweight Champion. A professional competitor in

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

since 2008, Richman 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 ...

, the

Lightweight Lightweight is a weight class in combat sports and rowing (sport), rowing. Boxing Professional boxing The lightweight division is over 130 pounds (59 kilograms) and up to 135 pounds (61.2 kilograms) boxing weight classes, weight class in the spor ...

division of the

Legacy Fighting Alliance The Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter (entertainment), promotion company based in Houston, Texas. It was created as a result of the Legacy Fighting Championship and Resurrection Fighting Alliance merg ...

, and is also 2-0 as a professional boxer.

Background

Born and raised in

Rosemount, Minnesota Rosemount is a city in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States, on the southern edge of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. The population was 25,650 at the 2020 census. History Rosemount was established as a township in 1858 and incorporated ...

, began competing in

wrestling Wrestling is a martial art, combat sport, and form of entertainment that involves grappling with an opponent and striving to obtain a position of advantage through different throws or techniques, within a given ruleset. Wrestling involves di ...

from a young age and was also a fan of

boxing Boxing is a combat sport and martial art. Taking place in a boxing ring, it involves two people – usually wearing protective equipment, such as boxing glove, protective gloves, hand wraps, and mouthguards – throwing Punch (combat), punch ...

and mixed martial arts. Richman attended Rosemount High School where he competed in wrestling before joining the

United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines or simply the Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for conducting expeditionar ...

upon graduating. After serving three tours as an infantryman in Iraq and reaching the rank of Sergeant, Richman began training in mixed martial arts in 2008.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Richman made his professional debut in 2008 and compiled an undefeated record of 8-0 before competing on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck.

''The Ultimate Fighter''

Richman was one of 32 contestants selected to compete on '' The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck''. In his opening bout to get into the house, Richman lost to Aaron Wilkinson by unanimous decision after two rounds.

Bellator MMA

Richman made his

debut against WEC veteran Chris Horodecki at Bellator 64. In a huge upset, Richman won via KO at 1:23 of the first round. After his win over Horodecki, Richman competed in the Bellator Season Seven Featherweight Tournament. In the quarterfinal round at Bellator 76, Richman defeated

Jeremy Spoon Jeremy Spoon (born April 1, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist. A professional MMA competitor since 2008, Spoon has made a name for himself fighting in various promotions, including King of the Cage and Bellator Fighting Championships. Sp ...

via head KO 23 seconds into the first round. In the semifinals, he faced

Shahbulat Shamhalaev Shahbulat Shamhalaev (; born August 27, 1983) is a Russian retired mixed martial artist and kickboxer. He competed in the featherweight division for the Bellator Fighting Championships. Shahbulat is Muay Thai World Champion and Muay Thai Republic ...

and lost via brutal KO in the first round. Richman proved he was the superior fighter in his Bellator 88 Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal bout against Mitch Jackson. Richman won a decisive first-round TKO victory. Richman dominated Jackson on his feet, dropping him three times with short left hooks. Richman faced

Alexandre Bezerra Alexandre Bezerra (born 25 September 1987) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the featherweight division. Mixed martial arts career Early career Bezerra made his professional MMA debut in July 2008. He quickly established an ...

in the semifinals on March 7, 2013 at Bellator 92. He won the bout via split decision. Richman faced

Magomedrasul Khasbulaev Magomedrasul Magomedalievich Khasbulaev (; born October 23, 1986) is a Russian former mixed martial artist who fought in the Featherweight division. In a career spanning 12 years, Khasbulaev fought in Bellator MMA, where he won the Bell ...

in the Bellator Featherweight Tournament Final on April 4, 2013 in Atlantic City. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Richman faced Akop Stepanyan at

Bellator 106 2013 in Bellator MMA was the eighth installment of the Bellator MMA, which began on January 17, 2013 and ended on April 4, 2013. Mixed martial arts tournaments were held in five weight classes and all of the champions, except the heavyweight ch ...

on November 2, 2013. Richman had been in trouble early in the fight, but floored Stepanyan with a left hook in the first round. He then faced

Desmond Green Desmond Green (born October 11, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist who competed in the lightweight division for Ultimate Fighting Championship. Green is a bare-knuckle boxer for BYB Extreme Fighting Series, where he is the current BYB ...

Bellator 110 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 ...

in the quarter-finals of the Featherweight Tournament. Richman lost via unanimous decision. Richman faced Goiti Yamauchi on May 17, 2014 at Bellator 120. He lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision. In the fall of 2014, Richman moved down to the bantamweight division. He debuted at 135 against Ed West at Bellator 126 on September 26, 2014. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. He also made his signature 'walk-off knockout', where he backs off the fighter before referee called stoppage on the fight. Richman faced promotional newcomer

Nam Phan Nhat Nam Si Phan (born March 13, 1983), better known as Nam Phan, is an American retired mixed martial artist and professional boxer. A professional in mixed martial arts since 2001, Phan has competed for the UFC, WEC, Strikeforce, World Victor ...

at Bellator 131 on November 15, 2014. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. Richman was expected to face former Bellator Bantamweight Champion Eduardo Dantas at Bellator 135 on March 27, 2015. However, the bout was removed from the fight card after Richman suffered an undisclosed injury. The fight eventually took place at Bellator 137 on May 15, 2015. Richman lost the back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision. On June 9, 2015 the California State Athletic Commission confirmed that Richman had failed a post fight drug test following his fight against Eduardo Dantas at Bellator 137. He tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs according to CSAC Executive Director Andy Foster and will be suspended two years and fined $2,500 for the rule infraction.

Bare-knuckle boxing

BKB

Following his suspension from mixed martial arts, Richman ventured into

bare-knuckle boxing Bare-knuckle boxing (also known as bare-knuckle or bare-knuckle fighting) is a full-contact combat sport based on punching without any form of padding on the hands. The sport as it is known today originated in 17th-century England and, although ...

. At the time, the sport was still illegal in the United States so he traveled to the United Kingdom for his first fight under the BKB promotion on June 9, 2018.

Valor Bare Knuckle

Richman had his first bare-knuckle fight on US soil at Valor Bare Knuckle 1 on September 21, 2019. His fight with JC Llamas ended in a no contest after an accidental headbutt inflicted a cut above Llamas' eye and rendered him unable to continue.

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

Richman made his

debut against Marcel Stamps on April 30, 2021 at BKFC 17. He won by first-round technical knockout via shoulder injury. He next faced Dakota Cochrane on September 10, 2021 at BKFC 21, whom he defeated by second-round knockout. Richman faced David Rickels on April 8, 2022 at BKFC 23, winning by second-round knockout.

Interim BKFC Light Heavyweight Champion

After three consecutive victories, Richman was set to face Isaac Doolitle for the interim BKFC Light Heavyweight Championship on October 15, 2022 at BKFC 31. He won the fight and interim title via third-round knockout. As interim champion, Richman was scheduled to face reigning champion Lorenzo Hunt in a title unification bout at KnuckleMania 3 on February 17, 2023. Despite knocking Hunt down in the first round, Richman was knocked out and suffered the first loss of his bare-knuckle boxing career.

Post championship

Richman challenged David Mundell for the BKFC Middleweight Championship at BKFC 47 on July 14, 2023. He lost the fight via knockout in the second round. Afterwards, Richman announced his retirement. Richman came out of retirement to face Erick Lozano on April 12, 2024 at BKFC Fight Night Clearwater in the main event. He won the bout in the fifth round by knockout.

BKFC Light Heavyweight Champion

Richman challenged Jared Warren for the BKFC Light Heavyweight Championship at BKFC on DAZN 4 on December 21, 2024. He won the fight and championship by knockout in the first round. This fight earned him his first ''Knockout of the Night'' award. Richman made his first defense of his light heavyweight title against Josh Dyer at BKFC 74 on May 10, 2025. He lost the fight and championship by technical knockout in the fourth round.

Championships and accomplishments

** BKFC Light Heavyweight Champion (One time) ** Interim BKFC Light Heavyweight Champion (One time) **Knockout of the Night (One time) vs. Jared Warren *

Bellator Fighting Championships Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) was an American mixed martial arts promotion founded in 2008 by Bjorn Rebney and operated until 2025. The promotion takes its name from '' bellātor'', the Latin word for "warrior". Bellato ...

** Bellator Season Eight Featherweight Tournament Runner-Up

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Loss , align=center, 18-8 , Jeff Peterson , Decision (unanimous) , Legacy Fighting Alliance 29 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Prior Lake, Minnesota Prior Lake is an exurban city southwest of Minneapolis, next to Savage and Shakopee in Scott County in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Surrounding the shores of Lower and Upper Prior Lake, the city is south of the Minnesota River in an area k ...

, United States , Moved up to

. , - , Loss , align=center, 18-7 , Lazar Stojadinovic , Decision (unanimous) , Legacy Fighting Alliance 2 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , Moved up to

Featherweight Featherweight is a weight class in the combat sports of boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and Greco-Roman wrestling. Boxing Professional boxing History A featherweight boxer weighs in at a limit of . In the early days of the division, ...

. , - , Loss , align=center, 18–6 , Eduardo Dantas , Decision (unanimous) , Bellator 137 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Temecula, California Temecula (; , ; Luiseño language, Luiseño: ''Temeekunga'') is a city in southwestern Riverside County, California, United States. The city had a population of 110,003 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census and was Municipal corpora ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 18–5 ,

, KO (punches) , Bellator 131 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:46 ,

San Diego, California San Diego ( , ) is a city on the Pacific coast of Southern California, adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a population of over 1.4 million, it is the List of United States cities by population, eighth-most populous city in t ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 17–5 , Ed West , KO (punches) , Bellator 126 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:44 ,

Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Arizona#List of cities and towns, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona. With over 1.6 million residents at the 2020 census, it is the ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 16–5 , Goiti Yamauchi , Decision (unanimous) , Bellator 120 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Southaven, Mississippi Southaven is a city in DeSoto County, Mississippi, United States. It is a principal city in Memphis metropolitan area, Greater Memphis. The 2020 United States census, 2020 census reported a population of 54,648, making it the List of municipal ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 16–4 ,

, Decision (unanimous) ,

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

Uncasville, Connecticut Uncasville is a village in the town of Montville, Connecticut, United States. It is located in southeastern Montville, at the mouth of the Oxoboxo River where it flows into the Thames River. The name is now applied more generally to all of the ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 16–3 , Akop Stepanyan , TKO (punches) ,

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:05 ,

Long Beach, California Long Beach is a coastal city in southeastern Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is the list of United States cities by population, 44th-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 451,307 as of 2022. A charter ci ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 15–3 ,

, Decision (unanimous) ,

Bellator 95 2013 in Bellator MMA was the eighth installment of the Bellator MMA, which began on January 17, 2013 and ended on April 4, 2013. Mixed martial arts tournaments were held in five weight classes and all of the champions, except the heavyweight ch ...

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

Atlantic City, New Jersey Atlantic City, sometimes referred to by its initials A.C., is a Jersey Shore seaside resort city (New Jersey), city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Atlantic City comprises the second half of ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 15–2 ,

, Decision (split) , Bellator 92 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 14–2 , Mitch Jackson , TKO (head kick and punches) , Bellator 88 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:57 ,

Duluth, Georgia Duluth ( ) is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States. Located north of Interstate 85, it is approximately northeast of Atlanta. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, Duluth had a population of 31,873, and the United Stat ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 13–2 ,

, KO (punches) , Bellator 79 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:45 ,

Rama, Ontario Chippewas of Rama First Nation, also known as Chippewas of Mnjikaning and Chippewas of Rama Mnjikaning First Nation (, also alternatively Rama Anishinaabek), is an Anishinaabe (Ojibwe, Ojibway) First Nations in Canada, First Nation located in t ...

, Canada , , - , Win , align=center, 13–1 ,

, KO (head kick and punch) , Bellator 76 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:23 ,

Windsor, Ontario Windsor ( ) is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada. It is situated on the south bank of the Detroit River directly across from the U.S city of Detroit, Detroit, Michigan. Geographically located within but administratively independent of Esse ...

, Canada , , - , Win , align=center, 12–1 , Chris Horodecki , KO (punches) , Bellator 64 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:23 ,

, Canada , , - , Win , align=center, 11–1 , Morgan Sickinger , Decision (unanimous) , Driller Promotions / SEG: Downtown Showdown 1 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Minneapolis, Minnesota Minneapolis is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, and its county seat. With a population of 429,954 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the state's List of cities in Minnesota, most populous city. Locat ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 10–1 , Christopher Lane , TKO (punches) , Riot at the Hyatt: Packer vs. Viking , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:43 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 9–1 , Brian Pearman , Decision (split) , Seconds Out / Vivid MMA: Showdown at the Sheraton 2 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Bloomington, Minnesota Bloomington is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States. It is located on the north bank of the Minnesota River above its confluence with the Mississippi River, south of downtown Minneapolis and just south of the Interstate 494/Inter ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 9–0 , Mike Lindquist , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Seconds Out / Vivid MMA: Combat on Capital Hill 4 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:14 ,

Saint Paul, Minnesota Saint Paul (often abbreviated St. Paul) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Ramsey County, Minnesota, Ramsey County. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 8–0 , Ryan Stock , TKO (punches) , Seconds Out / Vivid MMA: Tour of Duty 1 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:14 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 7–0 , Derek Getzel , Submission (anaconda choke) , Ambition Promotions: The Crucible , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:36 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 6–0 , Wes Ronchi , Submission (triangle choke) , Brutaal: Fight Night , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:42 ,

Shakopee, Minnesota Shakopee ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Scott County, Minnesota, United States. It is southwest of Minneapolis. Sited on the south bank bend of the Minnesota River, Shakopee and nearby suburbs comprise the southwest portion of Minneap ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 5–0 , Chris Coplan , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Brutaal: Fight Night , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:07 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 4–0 , Deryck Ripley , Submission , Brutaal: Fight Night , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:50 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 3–0 , Mel Ott , Submission (armbar) , Brutaal: Fight Night , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:10 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 2–0 , Rob Degroot , Submission (armbar) , Brutaal: Fight Night , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:48 ,

, United States , , - , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Jason Trett , TKO (punches) , Brutaal: Fight Night , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:45 ,

, United States ,

Bare knuckle boxing record

, - , Loss , align=center, 7–3 (1) , Josh Dyer , TKO , BKFC 74 , , align=center, 4 , align=center, 0:58 ,

West Valley City, Utah West Valley City is a city in Salt Lake County and an inner suburb of Salt Lake City in the U.S. state of Utah. The population was 140,230 at the 2020 census, making it the second-most populous city in Utah after Salt Lake City. The city inco ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 7–2 (1) , Jared Warren , KO (punch) , BKFC on DAZN Hollywood, FL , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:44 ,

Hollywood, Florida Hollywood is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. It is a suburb in the Miami metropolitan area. The population of Hollywood was 153,067 as of 2020, making it the Broward County#Communities, third-largest city in Broward County, th ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 6–2 (1) , Erick Lozano , KO (punch) , BKFC Fight Night: Clearwater , , align=center, 5 , align=center, 0:53 ,

Clearwater, Florida Clearwater is a city and the county seat of Pinellas County, Florida, United States, west of Tampa, Florida, Tampa and north of St. Petersburg, Florida, St. Petersburg. To the west of Clearwater lies the Gulf of Mexico and to the southeast lies T ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 5–2 (1) , David Mundell , KO (punch) , BKFC 47 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:54 ,

Lakeland, Florida Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. Located along Interstate 4, I-4 east of Tampa and southwest of Orlando, Florida, Orlando, it is the List of municipalities in Florida, most populous city in Polk County. As of the 2020 ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 5–1 (1) , Lorenzo Hunt , KO (punch) , BKFC KnuckleMania 3 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:50 ,

Albuquerque, New Mexico Albuquerque ( ; ), also known as ABQ, Burque, the Duke City, and in the past 'the Q', is the List of municipalities in New Mexico, most populous city in the U.S. state of New Mexico, and the county seat of Bernalillo County, New Mexico, Bernal ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 5–0 (1) , Isaac Doolittle , KO (punch) , BKFC 31 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 1:35 ,

Broomfield, Colorado Broomfield is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Consolidated city and county, consolidated city and county located in the United States, U.S. Colorado, state of Colorado. It has a consolidated government which operates under Article XX, Sect ...

, United States , , , - , Win , align=center, 4–0 (1) , David Rickels , KO (punch) , BKFC 23 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:32 ,

Wichita, Kansas Wichita ( ) is the List of cities in Kansas, most populous city in the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Sedgwick County, Kansas, Sedgwick County. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population of the city was 397, ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 3–0 (1) , Dakota Cochrane , KO (punch) , BKFC 21 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:37 ,

Omaha, Nebraska Omaha ( ) is the List of cities in Nebraska, most populous city in the U.S. state of Nebraska. It is located in the Midwestern United States along the Missouri River, about north of the mouth of the Platte River. The nation's List of United S ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 2–0 (1) , Marcel Stamps , KO (punch) , BKFC 17 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:06 ,

Birmingham, Alabama Birmingham ( ) is a city in the north central region of Alabama, United States. It is the county seat of Jefferson County, Alabama, Jefferson County. The population was 200,733 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the List ...

, United States , - , NC , align=center, 1–0 (1) , JC Llamas , NC (accidental headbutt) , Valor Bare Knuckle 1 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:00 ,

New Town, North Dakota New Town is a city in Mountrail County, North Dakota. The population was 2,764 at the time of the 2020 census, making it the 18th largest city in North Dakota. New Town was platted in 1950 as a replacement site for the residents of Sanish and ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Marcus Gaines , TKO , BKB 11 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, N/A ,

London, England London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

, United States , , -

References

External links

* *
Official website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Richman, Mike 1985 births Living people People from Rosemount, Minnesota Sportspeople from Dakota County, Minnesota American male mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists from Minnesota Lightweight mixed martial artists Featherweight mixed martial artists Bantamweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing wrestling American bare-knuckle boxers American male boxers American male sport wrestlers Amateur wrestlers Sportspeople from Minnesota American sportspeople in doping cases Doping cases in mixed martial arts