Ricky Glenn

Ricky Glenn (born April 12, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing 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. He did a year of wrestling at Marshalltown High School 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.

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 .........I wanted to live the American Dream.

When Glenn was seventeen, still a high school student and with one year wrestling, some boxing experience and self-taught MMA skills, 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. 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.”

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.

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. He moved to Milwaukee and left his employment at Costco to train full-time.

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.

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. 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.

He next faced Phillipe Nover on February 11, 2017 at UFC 208. He outpointed Nover and win via split decision (27-30, 29–28, 29-28).

Glenn faced Gavin Tucker on October 9, 2017 at UFC 215. He won the fight by unanimous decision. Tucker suffered four broken bones on his face during the one-sided beating from Glenn and many criticized the referee, Kyle Cardinal, for not stopping the fight.

Glenn faced Myles Jury on December 30, 2017 at UFC 219. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Glenn faced Dennis Bermudez on July 14, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 133. He won the fight via split decision.

Glenn was scheduled to face Arnold Allen on November 30, 2018 at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale. However, Allen pulled out of the fight on November 16 citing a cut he received while training, and he was replaced by Kevin Aguilar. 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. Glenn lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Moving up to Lightweight
Glenn was scheduled to face Carlton Minus on December 19, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 183. However during fight week, it was announced that Glenn had to be pulled out of the bout.

Glenn faced Joaquim Silva on June 19, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 25. He won the bout via knockout just 37 seconds into the first round. The fight marked the last of his prevailing contract, and he subsequently signed a new, four-fight contract with the UFC.

Glenn faced Grant Dawson on October 23, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori. The fight ended in majority draw.

Glenn was scheduled to face Drew Dober on March 12, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 203. However, a week before the event, Glenn withdrew due to a torn groin and was replaced by Terrance McKinney.

Glenn faced Christos Giagos on April 22, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 222. He lost the fight by technical knockout in the first round.

Glenn faced Drew Dober on October 7, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 229. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.

Moving up to Welterweight
Glenn is scheduled to face Song Kenan in a welterweight bout on August 17, 2024 at UFC 305.

Personal life
Glenn's moniker "The Gladiator" was given to him by his uncle for his killer instinct demeanour inside the boxing ring.

Glenn and his wife Jenny have a son.

Championships and accomplishments

 * World Series of Fighting
 * WSOF Featherweight Championship (One time; former)
 * Midwest Cage Fight
 * Midwest Cage Fight Featherweight Champion (One time; former)