Joe riggs
Nicknamed ‘Diesel’, Joseph Jahanithin Riggs was born on 23 September 1982. The famous American martial arts fighter was born and bought up in Phoenix, Arizona. The dream of fighting for UFC began when he was just 10 years old. He did boxing with his father from early childhood. He gave his dream a professional or real touch when he started fighting after the high school.
He started fighting on a regular basis after attending college. His wrestling career at Cactus High School in Arizona, and became an All-American champion twice. Joseph Jahanithin Riggs or ‘diesel’ possesses a blue belt under the coaching of Gustavo Dantas in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Aspiring to be like his hero Randy Couture, Diesel currently fights for Middleweight in the Zuffa.
Although right handed, Diesel has been coached to use his left hand to fight southpaw. His strength consists mainly of plyometrics. To keep himself fit Joe Riggs does circuit training and pushups. He does weight training to maintain the mass of muscles. The training for weight includes deadlifts, cleans and squats. His strength mainly lies in his athleticism and knockout power skills. His favorite method for wrestling is the right book. Diesel had to withdraw from the Middleweight championship because of a back injury.
In his wrestling career, he has fought for Welterweight, Heavyweight, Middleweight and Light Heavyweight divisions. He has been twice Grappler's Quest Advance champion, champion of Evolution Combat Heavyweight, winner of XCF Light Heavyweight, Desert Quest title holder four times, Art of War Heavyweight winner and Middleweight and Rage in the Cage Heavyweight champion.
The high point of his career was when he fought against Joe Doerksen, Canadian fighter in UFC in 2004. During his fight against Matt Hughes, Joe Riggs received his shot in 2005 for UFC Welterweight title. However, Diesel was unable to pose a considerable challenge to Matt Hughes. As a result in the very first round, he was taken down with a kimura. He later in his fight against Nick Diaz emerged victorious at UFC 57. An altercation was witnessed between Riggs and Diaz in the hospital and police had to intervene to separate them.
He then fought against Mike Swick, alumni of the Ultimate Fighter. However, Joe was found guilty of guillotine choking and was tapped out. Diesel in his fight against Jason Von Flue, defeated him with a triangle choke.
Diesel is married with a son who passed away soon after the birth. The couple is now expecting their second child; the first one named Joseph Diesel Riggs was born on June 28, 2007. Riggs’ professional journey has not completely been a smooth one. He was addicted to medications and painkillers. Riggs is now no more addicted to the pills.
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