Rich Attonito
Born (1977-06-16) June 16, 1977
Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States
Other namesThe Raging Bull
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
DivisionLight Heavyweight
Middleweight
Welterweight
Reach72 in (183 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofCoconut Creek, Florida, United States
TeamAmerican Top Team
RankBrown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
NCAA Division I Wrestling
Years active2004-2011
Mixed martial arts record
Total15
Wins10
By knockout4
By submission2
By decision4
Losses5
By knockout2
By submission1
By decision2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Rich Attonito (born June 16, 1977) is a retired American mixed martial artist. A professional from 2004 until 2011, he fought in the UFC, Cage Warriors, King of the Cage, and was contestant on the 11th season of The Ultimate Fighter.

Background

Born and raised in New Jersey, Attonito was a 2001 graduate of Hofstra University in Long Island. Attonito wrestled several different weight classes as a member of the Pride wrestling team including the 167 lbs. and 197 lbs. divisions, picking up the team's award for "Most Improved Wrestler" in 2000.

Mixed martial arts

Early career

Attonito's interest in mixed martial arts was piqued when he saw his teammate from college, Phil Baroni, take the UFC by storm. However, he did not jump headlong into the sport until 2004, when, while working as a personal trainer in New Jersey, one of his coworkers and former heavyweight boxing title-contender Leo Loiacono, challenged him to make the most of his athletic abilities by competing in MMA. Attonito began training in boxing and jiu jitsu and soon took his first fight six months later. After his fifth fight, in 2006, members of the American Top Team camp approached Attonito to see if he would be interested in training with them down in Florida.[1]

The Ultimate Fighter

In March 2010, Attonito was announced as part of the eleventh season of The Ultimate Fighter.[2]

In his first fight, to gain entry into the TUF house, Attonito defeated Lyle Steffens via unanimous decision (20–18, 20–18, 20–18). Chuck Liddell selected Attonito as his second pick, making him the 4th overall pick out of 14 competitors.[3]

Rich's second fight came was against Kyacey Uscola. The fight ended due to Uscola throwing two illegal knees in round one, giving Rich the DQ win.[4] After an MRI, it was revealed that Rich had broken his hand during the fight and will be unable to continue in the tournament. Rich's spot in the quarter-finals of the competition was taken by Court McGee, after perceived controversy over his loss to Nick Ring.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Rich made his UFC debut at TUF 11 Finale against Team Ortiz fighter, Jamie Yager.[5] He won the fight via TKO in the second round.

At UFC Fight Night: Marquardt vs. Palhares, Attonito faced debuting Brazilian Rafael Natal.[6] Attonito won the fight via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27). During the first round of the fight, Attonito dropped Natal with a right hook which almost prompted the referee to stop the fight. The rest of the fight was close, however the knockdown was enough for Attonito to take the decision.[7]

Attonito fought David Branch on December 4, 2010, at The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale.[8] He lost the fight via unanimous decision, getting dominated for all three rounds by Branch's superior ground skills.[9]

Attonito was expected to drop to welterweight and face Matt Brown on June 26, 2011, at UFC on Versus 4.[10] However, Martin Kampmann was forced out of his bout with John Howard with an injury and Brown was chosen as his replacement, while Attonito faced Daniel Roberts.[11] He won the fight via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-27, 29-28).[12]

Attonito faced promotional newcomer Jake Hecht on December 10, 2011, at UFC 140.[13] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[14]

Attonito was expected to face Rick Story on June 22, 2012, at UFC on FX 4.[15] However, Attonito was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Papy Abedi.[16]

Attonito was briefly linked to a bout against promotional newcomer Gunnar Nelson in a catchweight bout, contested at 175 lb. on September 29, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 5, replacing an injured Pascal Krauss.[17] However, Attonito had reservations about taking the short notice bout due to the weight cut requirements and DaMarques Johnson took on Nelson instead.[18] After turning down the fight with Nelson at both 170 lbs. and at 175 lb. catchweight, Attonito was released from the UFC.[19]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
15 matches 10 wins 5 losses
By knockout 4 2
By submission 2 1
By decision 4 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 10–5 Jake Hecht TKO (elbows and punches) UFC 140 December 10, 2011 2 1:10 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Win 10–4 Daniel Roberts Decision (unanimous) UFC Live: Kongo vs. Barry June 26, 2011 3 5:00 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Return to Welterweight.
Loss 9–4 David Branch Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale December 4, 2010 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–3 Rafael Natal Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Marquardt vs. Palhares September 15, 2010 3 5:00 Austin, Texas, United States
Win 8–3 Jamie Yager TKO (punches) The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale June 19, 2010 2 4:25 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 7–3 Gregory Babene Decision (unanimous) XC-1: Xtreme MMA Championship June 18, 2009 3 5:00 Rome, Italy
Win 6–3 Uber Gallegos Submission (arm-triangle choke) KOTC: Hurricane February 21, 2009 1 3:31 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States Return to Middleweight.
Loss 5–3 Isidro Gonzalez Submission (armbar) Cage Warriors 36: USA Destruction January 30, 2009 1 4:21 Orlando, Florida, United States Welterweight debut.
Win 5–2 Ryan Hodge TKO (punches) WFC 6: Battle in the Bay March 22, 2008 3 1:23 Tampa, Florida, United States
Win 4–2 Rolando Dominique Submission (rear-naked choke) Ultimate Gladiator Championship December 14, 2007 1 4:06 Miami, Florida, United States Middleweight debut.
Loss 3–2 Bristol Marunde TKO (punches) Euphoria: USA vs. Russia November 5, 2005 3 1:57 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 3–1 Lance Everson Decision (unanimous) Reality Fighting 9 August 6, 2005 3 5:00 Wildwood, New Jersey, United States Won the vacant Reality Fighting Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 2–1 Mark Raposa TKO (punches) Mass Destruction 18 December 11, 2004 N/A N/A Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Loss 1–1 Mike Marshall Decision (split) Mass Destruction 16 May 15, 2004 N/A N/A Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Win 1–0 Mike Mitchell TKO (punches) Mass Destruction 15 February 21, 2004 1 2:26 Boston, Massachusetts, United States

References

  1. ↑ Stephenson, Kye (June 22, 2010). "Bumpyknuckle.com Exclusive Interview with Rich Attonito". BumpyKuckle.com. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
  2. ↑ "The Ultimate Fighter 11 cast unveiled with 28 middleweight fighters". MMAJunkie.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2010. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  3. ↑ Independent Press (April 1, 2010). "Madison's Rich Attonito qualifies for The Ultimate Fighter". nj.com. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  4. ↑ Smith, Michael David (April 22, 2010). "Josh Bryant: Kyacey Uscola's Disqualification Was Good Call". mmafighting.com. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  5. ↑ Morgan, John (June 18, 2010). "Hand healed, Rich Attonito ready to crack Jamie Yager's face at TUF 11 Finale". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  6. ↑ Hui, Ray (July 20, 2010). "Rafael Natal to Make UFC Debut Against Rich Attonito at Fight Night 22". mmafighting.com. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  7. ↑ Admin (September 16, 2010). "UFC FIGHT NIGHT REZULTATI". croring.com. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  8. ↑ "David Branch vs. Rich Attonito set for The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on November 1, 2010. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  9. ↑ MMAWeekly.com Staff (December 3, 2010). "TUF 12 Finale Play-by-Play: David Branch vs. Rich Attonito". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Rich Attonito vs. Matt Brown move from TUF 13 Finale to UFC on Versus 4". mmajunkie.com. March 17, 2011. Archived from the original on March 20, 2011.
  11. ↑ "UFC on Versus 4: Matt Brown vs John Howard booked for June 26 with Martin Kampmann injured". mmamania.com. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  12. ↑ Wilcox, Nathan (June 26, 2011). "Rich Attonito Does Everything But Finish Daniel Roberts At UFC Live 4". sbnation.com. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Rich Attonito meets newcomer Jake Hecht at UFC 140". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on November 12, 2011. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  14. ↑ Kulha, Andrew (December 11, 2011). "UFC 140 Results: Jake Hecht Demolishes Rich Attonito with Devastating Elbow". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Rick Story vs Rich Attonito added to UFC on FX 4 fight card in Atlantic City". mmamania.com. March 21, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Rick Story Gets New UFC on FX 4 Opponent". mmaweekly.com. May 8, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Replacement Rich Attonito meets Gunnar Nelson at UFC on FUEL TV 5". mmajunkie.com. September 17, 2012. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  18. ↑ Marrocco, Steven; Morgan, John (September 17, 2012). "DaMarques Johnson, not Rich Attonito, meets Gunnar Nelson at UFC on FUEL TV 5". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  19. ↑ Jesse Denis (October 11, 2012). "Rich Attonito Cut From The UFC". mmafrenzy.com. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
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