Aaron Riley
 |
Name | Aaron Riley |
| Nickname | N/A | |
| Association | Jackson's Submission Fighting | |
| Weight Class | Lightweight (155 lbs.) | |
| Height | 5' 8" (173 cm) | |
| Style | Taekwondo, Judo | |
| Birth Date | December 9, 1980 | |
| Fighting Out Of | Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA | |
| Country | USA | |
| Aaron Riley Pictures | Official Website |
Aaron Riley is an American mixed martial artist who competes as a Lightweight. Riley currently fights in the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he has compiled a 3-4 record--over three stints with the company--and his victory over Jorge Gurgel at UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar won Fight of the Night honors. He has also fought for numerous smaller promotions, but has also fought for better known ones, such as PRIDE, and the IFL.
Professional Record
| Record | 30 - 13 - 1 (Win – Loss – Draw) |
| Wins | 5 (T)KOs 14 Submissions 11 Decisions |
| Losses | 7 (T)KOs 2 Submissions 4 Decisions |
| Result | Opponent | Method | Event Title | Date | Round | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | Tony Ferguson | TKO (Jaw Injury) | UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage | 9/24/2011 | 1 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Joe Brammer | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 114: Rampage vs. Evans | 5/29/2010 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Ross Pearson | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | UFC 105: Couture vs. Vera | 11/14/2009 | 2 | 4:38 | |
| Win | Shane Nelson | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 101: Declaration | 8/08/2009 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Shane Nelson | TKO (Punch) | UFC 96: Jackson vs. Jardine | 3/07/2009 | 1 | 0:44 | |
| Win | Jorge Gurgel | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar | 11/15/2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Won Fight of the Night Honors |
| Win | Steve Claveau | Decision (Unanimous) | XMMA 5: It's Crow Time | 9/13/2008 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Thiago Meller | Decision (Unanimous) | UWC 3: Invasion | 4/26/2008 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Ryan Schultz | Decision (Unanimous) | IFL: 2007 Team Championship Final | 9/20/2007 | 3 | 4:00 | |
| Loss | Eddie Alvarez | KO (Punches) | Bodog Fight: USA vs. Russia | 12/02/2006 | 1 | 1:05 | For BodogFIGHT Welterweight Championship |
| Win | Darrell Smith | Submission (Armlock) | Bodog Fight: To the Brink of War | 8/22/2006 | 2 | 2:40 | |
| Loss | Spencer Fisher | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | UFC Fight Night 3: Ultimate Fight Night 3 | 1/16/2006 | 1 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Michihiro Omigawa | KO (Head Kick) | PRIDE: Bushido 7 | 5/22/2005 | 1 | 6:00 | |
| Win | Andrew Chappelle | Decision | HOOKnSHOOT: Arnold Classic | 3/04/2005 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Maicon Alarcao | TKO (Injury) | AFC: Brazil 1 | 8/28/2004 | 1 | 4:10 | |
| Win | Nuri Shakir | Decision (Unanimous) | HOOKnSHOOT: Live | 3/27/2004 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Sam Morgan | Submission (Armbar) | Shooto USA: Warrior Spirit - Evolution | 11/14/2003 | 1 | 2:41 | |
| Win | Cedric Marks | Submission (Armbar) | CE: Combate Extremo | 8/30/2003 | 1 | 1:40 | |
| Win | Nick Gilardi | Submission (Punches) | PPKA: Ultimate Fight Night | 6/28/2003 | 2 | 1:49 | |
| Loss | Chris Lytle | KO (Punch) | HOOKnSHOOT: Boot Camp 1.1 | 3/08/2003 | 1 | 3:31 | |
| Win | Alexandre Barros | Decision (Unanimous) | HOOKnSHOOT: Absolute Fighting Championships 1 | 12/13/2002 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Robbie Lawler | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 37: High Impact | 5/10/2002 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Mike Willus | Submission (Armbar) | HOOKnSHOOT: Kings 1 | 11/17/2001 | 1 | N/A | |
| Loss | Yves Edwards | Decision (Unanimous) | HOOKnSHOOT: Showdown | 7/14/2001 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Earl Thompson | Submission (Armbar) | UFCF: War 2001 | 4/21/2001 | 1 | 2:08 | |
| Win | Steve Berger | Decision (Unanimous) | HOOKnSHOOT: Triumph | 8/19/2000 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Aaron Stregles | KO (Punches) | TC 2: Talon Challenge 2 | 7/14/2000 | 1 | N/A | |
| Win | Jeremy Bennett | KO (Punches) | HOOKnSHOOT: Double Fury 1 | 3/17/2000 | 1 | N/A | |
| Win | Colin O'Rourke | Decision (Majority) | WEF 8: Goin' Platinum | 1/15/2000 | 3 | 4:00 | |
| Loss | Falaniko Vitale | TKO (Punches) | RITC 2: Marching of the Warriors | 10/15/1999 | 1 | 7:06 | |
| Loss | Yves Edwards | Decision (Unanimous) | HOOKnSHOOT: Texas Heat | 10/02/1999 | 1 | 20:00 | |
| Win | Joe Merit | Submission (Armbar) | LI: Lionheart Invitational | 9/01/1999 | 1 | 2:24 | |
| Draw | CJ Fernandes | Draw | SFC: Submission Fighting Championships 8 | 8/07/1999 | 1 | 15:00 | |
| Win | Billy Johnson | Submission (Punches) | HOOKnSHOOT: Breakout | 7/24/1999 | 1 | 2:10 | |
| Win | Rob Tallack | TKO (Punches) | Kakidamisi 1: Samurai Challenge | 7/11/1999 | 1 | 2:52 | |
| Win | Tony Apponte | Submission (Palm Strikes) | ES: Extreme Shootout | 6/25/1999 | 1 | 7:31 | |
| Win | James Julian | Submission (Armbar) | SFC: Submission Fighting Championships 6 | 4/30/1999 | 1 | N/A | |
| Win | Shane Garrett | Decision (Unanimous) | HOOKnSHOOT: Horizon | 3/20/1999 | 1 | 20:00 | |
| Win | Phil Stroffolino | Submission (Palm Strikes) | HOOKnSHOOT: Eruption | 11/07/1998 | 1 | 3:27 | |
| Win | Brian Boclair | Submission (Armbar) | HOOKnSHOOT: Quest | 8/14/1998 | 1 | 1:35 | |
| Win | Chris Mounce | Submission (Keylock) | HOOKnSHOOT: N-Vision | 6/12/1998 | N/A | N/A | |
| Win | Billy Johnson | Submission (Armbar) | HOOKnSHOOT: Elite | 9/20/1997 | 1 | 5:08 | |
| Loss | Mario Roberto | Submission (Kneebar) | HOOKnSHOOT: When Worlds Collide | 7/18/1997 | N/A | N/A | |
| Win | Chris Malgieri | Submission (Heel Hook) | HOOKnSHOOT: When Worlds Collide | 7/18/1997 | N/A | N/A | |
Mixed Martial Arts Career
Riley began competing in mixed martial arts in the HOOKnSHOOT and other smaller promotions, beginning in 1997. He went 16-4-1 in these smaller promotions, the majority in HOOKnSHOOT, fighting some notable competition, such as Falaniko Vitale and Yved Edwards, whom he lost to twice.
He then fought in the UFC against feared striker Robbie Lawler, losing a unanimous decision.
After the loss, Riley returned to HOOKnSHOOT, defeating Alexandre Barros via decision and losing to Chris Lytle via KO (Punches). He would then go 6-1 in smaller promotions before returning to the big leagues, where he fought Michihiro Omigawa in PRIDE. A win over Omigawa placed Riley back in the UFC, where he fought Spencer Fisher, losing his second fight within the UFC.
From there, Riley moved to compete in Bodog Fight, winning his debut and then fighting Eddie Alvarez for the promotions Welterweight title. Riley would lose the fight, as well as his next bout in the IFL.
He then won his next two fights, earning a spot in the UFC once again. His first opponent was Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Jorge Gurgel, who is well known for dropping his bread and butter for a more entertaining stand-up battle. This is exactly what happened, as the fight became more of a kickboxing bout, with Riley finally gaining his first win within the UFC, also winning the Fight of the Night Honors in the process.
His next fight took place against The Ultimate Fighter 8 alum Shane Nelson at UFC 96: Jackson vs. Jardine. Nelson won via TKO with 44 seconds into round one. The stoppage is was called one of the worst in UFC history. Dana White said he wants to make it right for Aaron and get a rematch to happen. The rematch was scheuleded to happen at UFC 101: Declaration. At the event, which took place on August 8, 2009, Riley won a hard fought unanimous decision victory.
Riley returned at UFC 105: Couture vs. Vera on November 14, 2009 to face The Ultimate Fighter 9 Lightweight winner Ross Pearson. Pearson controlled the action, completely out-classing Riley, finally landing a devastating knee in the second round, opening up a cut that forced the referee to stop the fight and the doctor to put a stop to the bout at 4:38 of the second round.
Then with a 2-2 UFC record, Riley faced off against Joe Brammer on May 29, 2010 at UFC 114: Rampage vs. Evans. The well-matched 155-pounders kept the fight standing for most of the 15-minute affair. Riley often proved quicker on the draw and used some late-fight takedowns to get the judges' nod. Although all three of the officials scored the fight a shutout – 30-27 – for Riley, the bout was much closer than the cards otherwise indicated.
- "It really was important to get back on the winning track," Riley said, post-fight. "This is the best organization in the world, and I'm always looking to improve."
Riley was next scheduled to face Thiago Tavares on September 25, 2010 at UFC 119: Mir vs. Cro Cop, but was forced off the card and replaced by Pat Audinwood.
