Rich Clementi

Summary

Richard Thomas Clementi (born March 31, 1977) is a former American mixed martial artist. Clementi has fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championships, Bellator, K-1 Hero's DREAM, King of the Cage, and Titan FC.

Rich Clementi
Born (1977-03-31) March 31, 1977 (age 46)
Edison, New Jersey, United States
Other namesNo Love
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
DivisionLightweight
Welterweight
Reach72+12 in (184 cm)
Fighting out ofSlidell, Louisiana, United States
TeamGladiator Gym
Years active1999–2013
Professional boxing record
Total1
Wins0
By knockout0
Losses1
By knockout0
Mixed martial arts record
Total69
Wins45
By knockout13
By submission23
By decision9
Losses23
By knockout5
By submission8
By decision10
Draws1
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background edit

Clementi was born in Edison, New Jersey but moved frequently during his childhood along with his mother, as a result of her divorcing Clementi's stepfather. His passion from an early age was in wrestling but most of the schools that he attended did not have programs for the sport. Clementi enjoyed watching the UFC, which was in its early stages while he was growing up. He moved out of the house at age 15 and eventually settled back in New Jersey for his senior year of high school where he began wrestling again, going 15–2 in his senior year, but admits that he "wasn't very technical." Though he was a standout prep wrestler, Clementi joined the military out of high school and served in the United States Navy's Construction Battalion. He served in the military for eight years.[1]

Mixed martial arts career edit

Ultimate Fighting Championship edit

Clementi began his professional career in 1999 and amassed a 13–6 record before making his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debut at UFC 41, where he lost by submission to Yves Edwards. Clementi continued to fight in smaller promotions before appearing as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 4 reality show, which focused on promising fighters that had not succeeded in their UFC careers. With the namesake of "Team No Love" Clementi lost his preliminary bout against Shonie Carter by unanimous decision. He appeared on the undercard of the season finale as a lightweight, but lost by rear naked choke submission to Din Thomas.

Despite his losses, Clementi continued to appear in the UFC. He secured his first victory in the promotion via rear naked choke submission against Ross Pointon at UFC Fight Night 8, although the fight was not aired during the broadcast. After losing to Roan Carneiro at UFC Fight Night 9, Clementi alternated between appearing in the UFC and smaller promotions. He took a fight with Anthony Johnson at UFC 76 on two weeks' notice and won by rear naked choke submission. With the win, Clementi improved his official UFC record to 2–3.

Clementi followed up with a win at UFC 79 against Melvin Guillard. Guillard tapped from a rear naked choke. Prior to the match, Clementi and Guillard engaged in a war of words.

In the span of a month, Clementi racked up two more victories against Sam Stout and Terry Etim at UFC 83 and UFC 84 respectively. By this time, Clementi was riding a four-win streak in the UFC and a six-win streak in his career. The streak ended at UFC 90, where he lost to Gray Maynard by unanimous decision. Clementi followed up with an appearance at UFC Fight Night: Lauzon vs. Stephens, where he lost to Gleison Tibau by guillotine choke. With his second consecutive loss in the UFC, Clementi was cut from the promotion's roster.[2]

Independent Promotions edit

On June 27, 2009, Clementi was in the main event for the first ever MMA fight in Pennsylvania. The promotion company UCFC held its "Rumble on the Rivers" event in Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena. Clementi was unable to continue the fight after only 40 seconds into the first round because of a broken collar bone after a takedown and the ringside doctor stopped the fight.

On November 29, 2009, Clementi headlined the event "Cage Wars: Nightmare" in Belfast, Northern Ireland and fought local prospect Chris Stringer, defeating him by triangle choke in the second round, after dominating the fight.[3] Clementi followed that win by headlining the Team 3:16 – Season's Beatings Event in Shreveport, Louisiana, defeating Derrick Krantz in the first round via armbar.

On January 16 at the 5150 Fight League's "The New Year's Revolution" show Clementi defeated WEC veteran Mike Budnik via rear naked choke to win the 5150 Combat League Lightweight Championship and improving his record upon being cut from the UFC to 4–1.

Bellator Fighting Championships edit

Clementi was signed by Bellator and made his debut at Bellator 28 against Carey Vanier in a Bellator Lightweight tournament Qualifying bout, He lost by split decision.

On May 25, 2012, Clementi returned to Bellator at Bellator 70, he defeated Derek Campos by guillotine choke in round one.

Clementi faced Alexander Sarnavskiy on October 19, 2012 at Bellator 77 in a Lightweight Tournament Quarter Final bout.[4] He won the fight by split decision.

Clementi faced Marcin Held in the Semifinals on November 16, 2012 at Bellator 81 and lost via toe hold submission in the second round.[5]

On November 19, 2012 Clementi announced his retirement after competing in MMA for 13 years.[6]

On July 24, 2013, Clementi announced he has come out of retirement and returned to Bellator to complete in the promotions Season Nine Lightweight Tournament, He was set to face UK Fighter Rob Sinclair on September 27, 2013 at Bellator 101 in the Quarterfinals.[7] But on September 10, 2013, it was announced that Sinclair had to pull out of the fight due to a knee injury and was replaced by Ricardo Tirloni.[8] He lost via unanimous decision.

Personal life edit

Clementi spent eight years in the military with the Navy Seabees and was mobilized as a reservist after 9/11. He also runs "Rich Clementi's Gladiator Gym" in his hometown of Slidell, Louisiana.[9] Clementi is divorced from his first wife and has two sons and a daughter with his second wife, Mandi.[citation needed]

Championships and accomplishments edit

  • 5150 Combat League / Xtreme Fighting League
    • 5150 Combat League Lightweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
69 matches 45 wins 23 losses
By knockout 13 5
By submission 23 8
By decision 9 10
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 45–23–1 Ricardo Tirloni Decision (unanimous) Bellator 101 September 27, 2013 3 5:00 Portland, Oregon, United States Bellator Season Nine Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Loss 45–22–1 Marcin Held Submission (toe hold) Bellator 81 November 16, 2012 2 3:04 Kingston, Rhode Island, United States Bellator Season Seven Lightweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 45–21–1 Alexander Sarnavskiy Decision (split) Bellator 77 October 19, 2012 3 5:00 Reading, Pennsylvania, United States Bellator Season Seven Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 44–21–1 Robert Washington Submission (guillotine choke) Rogue Warrior Championships June 16, 2012 3 3:51 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 43–21–1 Derek Campos Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 70 May 25, 2012 1 4:18 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States 157 lb Catchweight.
Loss 42–21–1 Chris Clements TKO (punches) Score Fighting Series 3: Meltdown in the Valley December 3, 2011 3 3:17 Sarnia, Ontario, Canada Welterweight bout.
Win 42–20–1 Ronnie Rogers Submission (rear-naked choke) Victory Promotions: Clementi vs. Rogers November 12, 2011 2 1:05 Lowell, Massachusetts, United States
Loss 41–20–1 Shinya Aoki Submission (neck crank) Dream: Fight for Japan! May 29, 2011 2 2:32 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Non-title bout.
Loss 41–19–1 Reza Madadi Decision (unanimous) Superior Challenge 7 April 30, 2011 3 5:00 Stockholm, Sweden For Superior Challenge Lightweight Championship.
Win 41–18–1 Josh Hinkle Decision (unanimous) TCF: Rogue Warrior Championships April 8, 2011 3 5:00 El Paso, Texas, United States
Loss 40–18–1 Aaron Derrow Technical Submission (triangle choke) Titan FC 16: Sylvia vs. Wagner January 28, 2011 3 3:35 Kansas City, Kansas, United States 165 lb. Catchweight bout.
Win 40–17–1 Felipe Enomoto Submission (armbar) Cage Wars 13: Validation December 10, 2010 3 4:25 Belfast, Northern Ireland
Loss 39–17–1 Carey Vanier Decision (split) Bellator 28 September 9, 2010 3 5:00 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Bellator Lightweight Tournament Qualifier.
Win 39–16–1 Lenny Nelson Submission (rear-naked choke) SFC: Hostile Validation July 31, 2010 1 3:32 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Win 38–16–1 Glen Cordoza Submission (armbar) CFC: Full Force June 25, 2010 2 2:21 Lafayette, Louisiana, United States
Loss 37–16–1 Quinn Mulhern TKO (punches) KOTC: Vengeance February 12, 2010 2 3:09 Mescalero, New Mexico, United States Welterweight bout.
Win 37–15–1 Mike Budnik Submission (rear-naked choke) Xtreme Fighting League: New Year's Revolution January 16, 2010 5 2:10 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Won 5150 Combat League Lightweight Championship.
Win 36–15–1 Derrick Krantz Submission (armbar) Team 3:16 MMA: Season's Beatings December 12, 2009 1 4:54 Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
Win 35–15–1 Chris Stringer Submission (triangle choke) CWC: Nightmare November 29, 2009 2 3:11 Belfast, Northern Ireland
Loss 34–15–1 Kyle Jensen TKO (injury) UCFC Rumble on the Rivers June 27, 2009 1 0:40 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Welterweight bout.
Win 34–14–1 Omar Zapata Submission (arm-triangle choke) Adrenaline MMA 3: Bragging Rights June 13, 2009 1 4:16 Birmingham, Alabama, United States Welterweight bout.
Loss 33–14–1 Gleison Tibau Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Lauzon vs. Stephens February 7, 2009 1 4:35 Tampa, Florida, United States
Loss 33–13–1 Gray Maynard Decision (unanimous) UFC 90 October 25, 2008 3 5:00 Rosemont, Illinois, United States
Win 33–12–1 Terry Etim Decision (unanimous) UFC 84 May 24, 2008 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 32–12–1 Sam Stout Decision (split) UFC 83 April 19, 2008 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 31–12–1 Melvin Guillard Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 79 December 29, 2007 1 4:40 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 30–12–1 Antoine Skinner TKO (submission to punches) NLE: Punishment at the PMAC October 13, 2007 1 1:46 Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States Return to Lightweight.
Win 29–12–1 Anthony Johnson Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 76 September 22, 2007 2 3:05 Anaheim, California, United States
Win 28–12–1 Kyle Gibbons Submission (rear-naked choke) IFO: Wiuff vs. Salmon September 1, 2007 1 2:18 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 27–12–1 Roan Carneiro Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Stevenson vs. Guillard April 5, 2007 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 27–11–1 Ross Pointon Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night 8 January 25, 2007 2 4:53 Hollywood, Florida, United States Return to Welterweight.
Loss 26–11–1 Din Thomas Submission (rear-naked choke) The Ultimate Fighter: The Comeback Finale November 11, 2006 2 3:11 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 26–10–1 Caol Uno Decision (unanimous) Hero's 4 March 15, 2006 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 26–9–1 Brian Dunn TKO (punches) Battle at the Boardwalk February 17, 2006 1 4:48 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 25–9–1 Fabio Holanda TKO (punches) TKO 24: Eruption January 28, 2006 3 4:20 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 24–9–1 Ryan Schultz Submission (armbar) Absolute Fighting Championships 14 December 10, 2005 1 3:39 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win 23–9–1 Chris Mickle TKO (punches) Extreme Challenge 64 October 15, 2005 1 2:51 Osceola, Iowa, United States
Win 22–9–1 Daisuke Hanazawa Decision (unanimous) Euphoria: USA vs World February 26, 2005 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 21–9–1 Henry Matamoros Decision (unanimous) Euphoria: Road to the Titles October 15, 2004 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 20–9–1 Tom Kirk Submission (rear-naked choke) RCF: Showdown July 17, 2004 1 N/A Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
Win 19–9–1 Eddie Yagin TKO (doctor stoppage) PXC 2: Chaos May 22, 2004 3 N/A Mangilao, Guam
Win 18–9–1 Sergey Golyaev Submission (triangle choke) Euphoria: Russia vs USA March 13, 2004 2 3:43 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss 17–9–1 David Gardner Decision (unanimous) Freestyle Fighting Championships 8 March 5, 2004 3 5:00 Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
Loss 17–8–1 Marcus Aurélio TKO (eye injury) ZST: Grand Prix Final Round January 11, 2004 1 0:40 Tokyo, Japan
Win 17–7–1 Tomomi Iwama Decision (unanimous) ZST: Grand Prix Final Round January 11, 2004 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 16–7–1 Naoyuki Kotani Decision (unanimous) ZST: Grand Prix Final Round January 11, 2004 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 15–7–1 Aloisio Barros Decision (unanimous) ZST: Grand Prix Opening Round November 23, 2003 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Draw 14–7–1 Hiroki Kotani Draw ZST 4: The Battle Field 4 September 7, 2003 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 14–7 Jon Weidler KO (knee) FFC 6: No Love July 11, 2003 1 0:35 Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
Loss 13–7 Yves Edwards Submission (rear naked choke) UFC 41 February 28, 2003 3 4:07 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 13–6 James Meals TKO (punches) Tuesday Night Fights December 17, 2002 1 1:55 Davenport, Iowa, United States
Win 12–6 Isaias Martinez TKO (broken nose) RFC 1: The Beginning July 13, 2002 1 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–6 Joe Jordan Submission (armbar) Freestyle Fighting Championships 2 May 4, 2002 1 2:05 Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
Win 10–6 Justin James Submission (rear-naked choke) Rock 'N' Rumble 1 December 29, 2001 2 1:20 United States
Win 9–6 Cedric Stewart Submission (rear naked choke) Extreme Challenge 44 September 15, 2001 1 2:23 Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
Win 8–6 Warren Donley KO (punches) RCF 11 May 10, 2001 2 0:30 United States
Win 7–6 Danny Payne Submission (neck crank) RCF 10 March 31, 2001 1 1:37 Houma, Louisiana, United States Drops to Lightweight
Win 6–6 Edwin Allseitz Submission (kimura) DFC: Submission Grappling Championships March 17, 2001 1 3:36 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 5–6 Jeremy Jiminez Submission (armbar) DFC: Submission Grappling Championships March 17, 2001 1 2:15 Houston, Texas, United States
Loss 4–6 Pete Spratt TKO (doctor stoppage) RCF 9 January 27, 2001 1 N/A Houma, Louisiana, United States
Win 4–5 Charles Bennett TKO (submission to punches) WEF: Rumble at the Rodeo 1 December 16, 2000 1 N/A United States
Loss 3–5 Steve Berger Submission (armbar) Dangerzone: Insane In Ft. Wayne November 25, 2000 1 3:14 Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States
Loss 3–4 Rick McCoy Decision Dangerzone: Night of the Beast October 28, 2000 2 15:00 Lynchburg, Virginia, United States
Loss 3–3 Ben Earwood Submission (armbar) EC 36: Extreme Challenge 36 August 26, 2000 1 8:32 Davenport, Iowa, United States
Win 3–2 Dymitrius Wilson TKO (punches) WVF: Cage Brawl August 19, 2000 1 4:40 Chalmette, Louisiana, United States
Win 2–2 Aristides Britto TKO (submission to punches) RCF 6: Reality Combat Fighting 6 June 24, 2000 1 2:19 Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States Welterweight bout.
Win 1–2 Scott Melia TKO (submission to punches) RCF 6: Reality Combat Fighting 6 June 24, 2000 1 1:28 Thibodaux, Louisiana, United States
Loss 0–2 Rick Thompson Decision RCF 3: Return of the Rage January 28, 2000 1 18:00 Metairie, Louisiana, United States
Loss 0–1 Chris Seifert Decision (unanimous) WEF 7: Stomp in the Swamp October 9, 1999 3 2:00 Kenner, Louisiana, United States

Professional boxing record edit

1 fight 0 wins 1 loss
By decision 0 1
No. Result Record Opponent Method Round, time Date Location Notes
1 Loss 0–1   Martin Verdin MD 4 May 27, 2004   Alario Center, Westwego, Louisiana Professional debut

Filmography edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Profile of a Local Legend: MMA Fighter Rich Clementi". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2013-07-21.
  2. ^ Caplan, Sam (February 9, 2009). "UFC cuts lightweight competitor Rich Clementi". FiveOuncesOfPain.com. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
  3. ^ "Ultimate Cage Fighting Championship | Ultimate Cage Fighting Championship". Archived from the original on 2009-06-12. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
  4. ^ "Season 7 lightweight tourney kicks off at Bellator 77 with Clementi vs. Sarnavskiy". mmajunkie.com. August 27, 2012. Archived from the original on August 30, 2012.
  5. ^ Hemminger, Brian (2012-11-17). "Bellator 81 recap: Clementi forced to tap or snap". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
  6. ^ "After 68-fight career over 13 years, UFC and Bellator vet Rich Clementi retires from MMA". mmajunkie.com. November 21, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013.
  7. ^ "UFC and Bellator vet Rich Clementi comes out of retirement". mmajunkie.com. July 24, 2013.
  8. ^ "Shahbulat Shamhalaev and Rob Sinclair Pull Out of Bellator Season 9 Tournaments". sherdog.com. September 10, 2013.
  9. ^ ""No Love" has plenty of it for the fight game, and life". UFC.com. 2007-03-31. Archived from the original on 2007-11-05. Retrieved 2009-01-30.

External links edit

  • Professional MMA record for Rich Clementi from Sherdog  
  • BoxRec: Rich Clementi
  • UFC profile
  • Interview by CriticalBench.com
  • Detailed results from Cage Wars Championship "Nightmare"