Ricky Simón

Ricky Simón (born August 31, 1992) is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2012, he was a former Legacy Fighting Alliance Bantamweight Champion.

Background
Simón was born in Pendleton, Oregon. Coming from a tight-knit family of Mexican immigrants, his three brothers and Ricky have the same tattoo "Simón" inked across their upper back. Simón also grew up with his close second cousin and fellow UFC athlete Vince Morales. Simón started training in wrestling at nine years old. He graduated class of 2010 from Union High School in Camas, WA, where he also wrestled and placed seventh in the state in his sophomore year. After his post-graduation plans to be a collegiate wrestler for Clark College did not materialize, he transitioned to mixed martial arts.

Early career
Simón amassed an amateur record of 3–0 before turning professional in 2014. After compiling a professional record of 12–1, fighting for Main Event Sports, King of the Cage (KOTC), Titan Fighting Championship and he was the formal Legacy Fighting Alliance Bantamweight Champion prior joining the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
In his UFC debut, Simón faced Merab Dvalishvili on April 21, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In the final round, Simón mounted Dvalshvili with a guillotine choke, while Dvalishvili kicked his way to the end of the bell. Referee, Liam Kerriga, awarded the win to Simón citing Dvalshivili was thought to have been passed out by the ref who eventually stopped the fight. Dvalishvilli's manager Matthew Culley filed a request to the commission to review the referee decision and the appeal was denied. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Simón was scheduled to face Benito Lopez at UFC 227 on August 4, 2018. However, it was reported that Lopez pulled out from the bout for undisclosed reason and was replaced by Montel Jackson. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Simón was expected to face Ricardo Ramos on November 10, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 139. However, it was reported on October 16, 2018, that Ramos was pulled from the bout due to a hand injury and in turn, Simón was removed from the card as well.

Simón faced Rani Yahya on February 10, 2019, at UFC 234. He won the fight via unanimous decision, knocking Yahya down multiple times in the first round.

Simón faced Urijah Faber on July 13, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 155. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.

Simón faced Rob Font at UFC on ESPN 7 on December 7, 2019. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

As the first fight of his new, four-fight contract, Simón faced Ray Borg on May 13, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira. He won the fight via split decision.

Simón was scheduled to face Brian Kelleher in a featherweight bout on September 5, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 176. However, Simón's cornerman tested positive for COVID-19 and he was forced to withdraw from the event. The pair was rescheduled on January 16, 2021, at UFC on ABC 1. In turn, Kelleher also tested positive on January 1 and was pulled from the bout. He was replaced by newcomer Gaetano Pirrello and the bout took place four days later at UFC on ESPN: Chiesa vs. Magny. He won the bout via second round arm triangle submission.

The bout between Simón and Brian Kelleher was rebooked for the third time and took place at UFC 258 on February 13, 2021. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Simón was scheduled to face Timur Valiev on September 25, 2021, at UFC 266. However, the bout was never officially announced by the promotion and Valiev was instead scheduled to face Daniel Santos at UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate.

As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Simón faced Raphael Assunção on December 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus. Simón won the fight via knockout in the second round.

Simón faced Jack Shore on July 16, 2022 at UFC on ABC 3. He won the fight via arm-triangle submission in the second round. This win earned Simón his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

Simón was scheduled to face Song Yadong on April 22, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 222. However, the bout was instead delayed a week to UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón. He lost the fight via technical knockout in the fifth round.

Simón faced Mario Bautista on January 13, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 234. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Simón faced Vinicius Oliveira on June 29, 2024, at UFC 303. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Professional grappling career
Simón competed alongside John Simon in a tag-team Brazilian jiu-jitsu match against Willie Audifre and Mike Currier at Submission Underground 21 on March 28, 2021. They won the match 3-0 and became the inaugural Submission Underground tag-team champions. Simón and Simon returned to defend their titles against Cris Lencioni and Owen Papworth at Submission Underground 22 on April 25, 2021, although they lost the match in EBI overtime.

Simón competed against Joao Miyao at Pit Submission Series 2 on February 23, 2024. He was submitted with a heel hook and lost the match.

Personal life
Simón used to be a middle school wrestling coach. He is the cousin of fellow UFC bantamweight fighter Vince Morales.

Simón has a daughter, born in November 2022.

Mixed martial arts

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Merab Dvalishvili and Rob Font
 * Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Jack Shore
 * Second most takedowns landed in UFC Bantamweight division history (43)
 * Legacy Fighting Alliance
 * LFA Bantamweight Championship (One time)
 * One successful title defense vs. Vinicius Zani