Rick John Roufus[1] (born June 3, 1966) is a retired American kickboxer. He has also competed professionally in boxing and mixed martial arts. An accomplished professional fighter throughout his competitive career, Roufus has won multiple world championships across the globe in several weight classes, he was world champion as a super middle weight, light heavyweight and heavyweight. Roufus held titles for all the major kickboxing associations worldwide (P.K.A., I.K.F., I.S.K.A., F.F.K.A. and K.I.C.K.), and is known for his boxing skills and powerful kicks. He is the older brother of Duke Roufus who is also a kickboxer and a Muay Thai and mixed martial arts instructor. Rick Roufus is the Global Director of Fighter Development for PKA Worldwide.[2] In 2012 Rick Roufus was inducted into the World Kickboxing League Hall of Fame.[3]

Rick Roufus
BornRick John Roufus
(1966-06-03) June 3, 1966 (age 57)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Other namesThe Jet
NicknameThe Jet
NationalityAmerican
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
DivisionLight Middleweight
Middleweight
Super Middleweight
Light Heavyweight
Cruiserweight
Heavyweight
StyleKickboxing, Taekwondo, Boxing
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofPhoenix, Arizona, United States
TeamRoufus Kickboxing Center
Years active1985–2012 (Kickboxing)
1990–2001 (Boxing)
2008–2009 (MMA)
Professional boxing record
Total19
Wins13
By knockout11
Losses5
Draws1
Kickboxing record
Total77
Wins65
By knockout44
Losses9
Draws2
No contests1
Mixed martial arts record
Total10
Wins4
By knockout2
By decision2
Losses6
By knockout1
By submission3
By decision2
Other information
Notable relativesDuke Roufus, brother
Websitehttps://rickroufus.pro/
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Last updated on: January 16, 2024.

Biography and career edit

Rick Roufus began his martial arts practice at the age of 5 under the tutelage of his father Pat J Roufus, a renowned P.K.A. referee, who had graduated as a black belt in 1973 by Dukan Yun.[4] Rick learned taekwondo from his father. He quickly rose up the national karate points circuit and debuted as a professional kickboxer in his late teens. He had his first professional fight in May 1985 against the U.C. Owens, whom he defeated by unanimous decision after 5 rounds.

In April 1987, he fought against John Moncayo for the world title of K.I.C.K. at super middleweight. Roufus knocked out Moncayo in round 7 to win his first world title.

In the beginning of his career, Roufus fought under the rule of Full contact where leg kicks, elbow strikes, and knee attacks were not allowed. He changed directions on 5 November 1988 when he challenged Changpuek Kiatsongrit in a non-title fight in Las Vegas. His pre-fight kickboxing record was 28 perfect wins. Roufus knocked Changpuek down twice with his fists in the first round, causing him a broken jaw, during the break Chanpuek's corner spilled a bucket of water and ice in the ring trying to buy time for Changpuek to recover, finally Roufus lost by TKO in the fifth round due to the culmination of low kicks that he was not prepared for. Roufus had found out the same day of the fight that they would fight with leg kick rules.[5] After the fight, the Roufus brothers sought out Thai experts to learn the art of kicking and kick control.

On 19 June 1991, Rick Roufus faced Marek Piotrowski. It was a rematch, as Piotrowski defeated him in their first encounter. The vacant ISKA Full Contact Light World title was on the line, while Piotrowski's PKC Full Contact Light Heavyweight World title was also up for grabs. Roufus won by heavy second-round KO from a high kick that left the Polish fighter unconscious on the canvas.

On December 20, 1991, Roufus defended his ISKA Full Contact World Light Heavyweight title against Dutchman Rob Kaman. Initially, Roufus who had dominated 11 of the 12 rounds was declared the winner by unanimous decision, later the bout was declared a no contest after Kaman's corner protested that the fourth round had ended 45 seconds early, the only round they believed could have been. It was critical for Kaman as he had managed to land a high kick in minute 1 causing Roufus to reel. A second fight between the pair took place in February 1994 at Palais Omnisports in Paris-Bercy, France. Tickets for the fight sold out (20,000 people) weeks in advance. Roufus won the match by KO in the second round.

On January 22, 1994 Roufus won the IKF Pro Full Contact Rules Light Heavyweight World Title when he defeated Michael McDonald of Vancouver, BC, Canada, by "KO" at :43 seconds of round 1 at Caesars Tahoe Casino in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

On March 26, 1994, he traveled to Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where he faced Jean-Yves Thériault. Roufus won a unanimous decision after 12 rounds, defending his PKC Full Contact World Light Heavyweight title. In Paris, in 1994, he again faced Ernesto Hoost, W.M.T.A. Light Heavyweight World Champion. and the W.K.A. Roufus dominated the fight for the first 10 rounds but finally lost via KO in round 11 when Hoost landed a powerful high kick.

He later decided to enter the world of boxing. He enjoyed some success, but he was never able to fight for a world championship. In August 1996, he challenged for the vacant WBC Continental Americas cruiserweight title. He knocked out Sean McClain, and won his first and only title in boxing. After several losses Rick Roufus returned to kickboxing. He emerged victorious at the K-1 USA held August 17, 1998 in Las Vegas, quickly dispatching Pedro Fernandez and Jerome Turcan.

On May 15, 1999 in Lowell Massachusetts, he won the IKF Pro International Rules Heavyweight World title when he defeated Stan Longinidis of Box Hill, Victoria, Australia by RSC after Loniginidis suffered a broken bone in his foot at the end of round 9.it was also later known Longinidis had been ill weeks leading to the fight. Roufus was ahead on all three judges cards at the time, 89-81, 86-83 and 88-81.

In his MMA debut, Roufus lost to Maurice Smith in the first round via kimura at the Strikeforce: At The Dome event in Tacoma, Washington on February 23, 2008.[6]

In March 2008, Roufus had his second MMA bout, this time in Newkirk, Oklahoma for Caged Combat Championship Fights. With his first wrestling training partner in MMA working his corner Daniel K Finch from Yukon Oklahoma, He defeated Mike Buell via unanimous decision. After a stint in several local promotions, Roufus brought his mixed martial arts record to 4 wins with 6 losses.[7]

In 2002 he defeated Kurt Hasley by unanimous decision in the quarterfinals of K-1 USA Las Vegas, in the semifinals he faced Dewey Cooper whom he also defeated by unanimous decision. In the final he faced Mike McDonald being the rematch of their 1994 bout at Caesars Tahoe where Roufus won his IKF Full Contact Rules World Title when he knocked McDonald out. It was a rematch McDonald was looking forward to, especially with leg kicks this time... However according to sources, Roufus had slipped on the ring canvas in his second bout of the night and actually tore his ACL from him in the bout. Against McDonald he fought cautiously due to the injury because he didn't want to risk hurting it anymore. In the end, he felt like he had done enough to win. However after 3 explosive rounds of action, the scores were Judge #1: 29.5 to 28.5 Roufus, Judge #2: 29.5 to 29 Roufus and Judge #3: 29.5 to 29 McDonald (Source Nevada Boxing Commission). Although it should have been a "Majority Decision Win" for Roufus, instead, it was a draw due to K-1 rules requiring you to win a tournament by 2 full points. Because of his injury to him, Roufus withdrew from the bout by choosing not to fight the extra 4th round, giving McDonald the win.

Unfortunately Roufus lost to the rules not McDonald.[8]

In October 22, 2011, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Roufus won the IKF Legends Title by forfeit when opponent Mighty Mo failed to pass his Nevada State Physical. On the night Roufus fought an exhibition bout against Anthony Newman.[9] Roufus was finally able to meet up with Mo almost a year later on September 8, 2012 in Los Angeles California, winning a 3 round Split decision.

His last professional fight was at K-1 World Grand Prix 2012 in Tokyo final 16, at the age of 46 he faced 25-year-old James Wilson, the result of the match was a draw.[10]

Titles edit

  • Kickboxing
    • 2011 I.K.F. International Legends Title
    • 2003 K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 USA runner up
    • 2002 K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Preliminary USA runner up
    • 1999 I.K.F. International Rules Heavyweight World Champion
    • 1998 K-1 USA Grand Prix '98 Champion
    • 1996 I.S.K.A. Full Contact Heavyweight World Champion
    • 1994 I.K.F. Full Contact Light Heavyweight World Champion
    • 1991-94 P.K.C. Light Heavyweight World Champion
    • 1991-94 I.S.K.A. Full Contact Light Heavyweight World Champion
    • 1990 F.F.K.A. Light Heavyweight World Champion
    • 1989 F.F.K.A. Super Middleweight World Champion
    • 1987 K.I.C.K. Super Middleweight World Champion
    • 1986-89 P.K.C. Middleweight U.S.A. Champion
    • 1986 P.K.C. Light Middleweight U.S.A. Champion
  • Boxing
    • 1996 W.B.C. Continental Americas Cruiserweight Champion

Hall of fame

2012 WORLD KICKBOXING LEAGUE

Kickboxing record edit

Kickboxing record
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record
2012-10-14 Draw   James Wilson K-1 World Grand Prix 2012 in Tokyo final 16 Tokyo, Japan Decision draw 3 3:00 65-9-3
2012-09-08 Win   Mighty Mo K-1 World Grand Prix Los Angeles, USA Decision (Split) 3 3:00
2011-11-22 Win   Anthony Newman WCK Muay Thai: USA vs. China Las Vegas, Nevada, USA KO (spinning back fist)
2007-05-00 Win   John James Shin Do Kumaté St. Petersburg, Florida, USA KO (Left High Kick) 1
2006-09-09 Draw   Gary Turner Shin Do Kumaté X St. Petersburg, Florida, USA Decision draw 4 3:00
2006-03-05 Win   Mehrdad Khan Moayedi Shin Do Kumaté IX [11] St. Petersburg, Florida, USA TKO (kick to the body) 3
2005-04-30 Loss   Musashi K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Decision (Majority) 3 3:00
2004-08-07 Win   Akebono K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 in Las Vegas II Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2003-08-15 Win   Jeff Ford K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Las Vegas II Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 59-7-1
2003-05-02 Loss   Carter Williams K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Las Vegas Final Las Vegas, Nevada, USA TKO (Referee Stoppage) 1 2:24
Fails to qualify for K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 Final Elimination.
2003-05-02 Win   Maurice Smith K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Las Vegas Semi-final Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2003-05-02 Win   Eduardo Maiorino K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Las Vegas Quarter-final Las Vegas, Nevada, USA TKO (2 Knockdowns) 1 2:54
2002-05-03 Loss   Michael McDonald K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Preliminary USA Final Las Vegas, Nevada, USA TKO (Corner Stoppage) 4 3:00
Fails to qualify for K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Las Vegas.
2002-05-03 Win   Dewey Cooper K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Preliminary USA Semi-final Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2002-05-03 Win   Kurt Hasley K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Preliminary USA Quarter-final Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2000-03-18 Loss   Cyrille Diabate I.S.K.A. Championship Las Vegas, Nevada, USA TKO (Knee injury) 3 3:00
1999-05-15 Win   Stan Longinidis MASS Destruction Lowell, Massachusetts, USA TKO (Retirement) 9 3:00
Wins IKF International Rules World Heavyweight World title. (1)
1998-09-27 Loss   Francisco Filho K-1 World Grand Prix '98 opening round Osaka, Japan KO (Right Low Kick) 3 0:15
Fails to qualify for K-1 Grand Prix '98 Final Round.
1998-08-07 Win   Curtis Schuster K-1 USA Grand Prix '98 Final Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Gave Up (Unable to fight) N/A N/A
Wins K-1 USA Grand Prix '98 and qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix '98 opening round.
1998-08-07 Win   Jerome Turcan K-1 USA Grand Prix '98 Semi-final Las Vegas, Nevada, USA KO (Right Hook) 2 0:58
1998-08-07 Win   Pedro Fernandez K-1 USA Grand Prix '98 Quarter-final Las Vegas, Nevada, United States KO (Left Hook) 2 1:50
1997-09-07 Loss   Jérôme Le Banner K-1 Grand Prix '97 1st round Osaka, Osaka, Japan TKO (Referee Stoppage) 3 2:05
Fails to qualify for K-1 Grand Prix '97 Final.
1996-06-01 Win   Igor Sharapov ISKA: The Clash Of Champions Paris, France TKO (Doctor Stoppage) 4 2:00
Wins ISKA Full Contact Heavyweight World title.
1995-03-25 Win   Martin van Emmen Nuit des Titans Marseille France KO (Hook)
1995-03-13 Win   Lavelle Robinson I.S.K.A. Kickboxing Santa Cruz, California, USA KO (Left High Kick) 3 0:30
1994-11-12 Loss   Ernesto Hoost Thriller in Marseille Marseille, France KO (Right High kick) 11 1:02
Loses ISKA Full Contact Light Heavyweight World title.
1994 Exhibition   Dominique Valera Paris, France Exhibition
1994-03-26 Win   Jean-Yves Thériault Karatemania VIII Montreal, Quebec, Canada Decision (Unanimous) 12 2:00 45-2
Retains PKC Light Heavyweight World title. (1)
1994-02-05 Win   Rob Kaman Le Choc des Titans Paris, France KO (Left Hook) 2 1:06
Retains ISKA Full Contact Light Heavyweight World title. (4)
1994-01-22 Win   Michael McDonald International Kickboxing Federation - Karatemania Tahoe, Nevada, USA KO 1 0:43
Wins IKF Full Contact Light Heavyweight title.
1993-05-07 Win   Józef Warchoł ISKA World Title Paris, France TKO (Corner quit after round) 3
1993-03-26 Win   Luc Verheye ISKA Kickboxing Paris, France KO (kick to the liver) 4
1992-12-15 Win   Jersey Long Karatemania V Montreal, Quebec, Canada TKO 39-2
Retains ISKA. Full Contact Light Heavyweight World title. (3)
1992-11-13 Win   Ernesto Hoost ISKA: Thriller en Marsella Marseille, France Decision (Unanimous) 12 2:00 38-2
Retains ISKA Full Contact Light Heavyweight World title. (2)
1992-04-25 Win   Henk Pelser Karatemania IV Atlanta, Georgia, USA KO 8 37-2
1991-12-20 No Contest   Rob Kaman Les Choc Des Geants Paris, France No Contest 12 2:00
Roufus was initially declared the winner by decision but the match was later declared a no-contest after Kaman's corner protested that only 1 minute had been fought in the 4th Round - a round that could have been critical to Kaman as he had hurt his opponent. As a result he still retained his ISKA Full Contact Light Heavyweight World title. (1)
1991-08-24 Win   William Knorr Karatemania III USA Disqualification 4 36-2
William Knorr failure to attempt 8 kick minimum in 3 different rounds
1991-06-22 Win   Marek Piotrowski Chicago, Illinois, USA KO (High Kick) 2 0:59 35-2
Wins ISKA Full-Contact Light Heavyweight World Title and Piotrowski's PKC Full Contact Light Heavyweight World title.
1990-02-04 Win   Kevin Whaley FFKA World Title Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA Decision (Unanimous) 10 2:00 33-2
Wins FFKA Light Heavyweight World title.
1990 Win   Bob Thurman USA KO (Left Hook) 2
1989-08-19 Loss   Marek Piotrowski Chicago, Illinois, USA Decision (Unanimous) 10 2:00 31-2
Loses PKC Middleweight U.S title.
1989-07-20 Win   Andy Mayo Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA KO 3 31-1
Wins FFKA Super Middleweight World title.
1989-00-00 Win   Michel Mangeot
1989-04-01 Win   Manson Gibson USA Decision
1988-11-05 Loss   Changpuek Kiatsongrit Super Fight Kickboxing Las Vegas, Nevada, USA TKO (Left Low Kicks) 5 1:23 28-1
1988-00-00 Win   Mike Steele USA KO (Left Hook) 1 1:15 25-0
1988-00-00 Win   Chris Getz ISKA Kickboxing USA KO (Left Hook) 1 2:0 24-0
1988-01-28 Win   William Knorr Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA TKO (Left Round Kick) 3
Retains PKC Middleweight U.S title.
1987-00-00 Win   Manson Gibson USA Decision
1987-04-16 Win   John Moncayo Karatemania II Atlanta, Georgia, USA KO 7 1:04 17-0
Wins KICK Super Middleweight World title.
1987-03-13 Win   Jordan Keepers PKC US Middleweight Championship USA Decision (Unanimous) 6 2 16-0
1986-11-20 Win   Rich Lopez Nautilus American Kickboxing Championships Lake Helen, Florida, USA Decision (Unanimous) 9 2:00 15-0
Retains PKC Middleweight U.S title.
1986-09-10 Win   Oliver Miller PKC US Middleweight Championship Atlanta, Georgia, USA Decision (Unanimous) 9 2:00
Wins PKC Middleweight U.S title.
1986-05-21 Win   Larry McFadden USA
1986-04-26 Win   Tony Smith Karatemania I Atlanta, Georgia, USA KO (Left High Kick 2 12-0
Retains PKC Light Middleweight U.S title.
1986-01-08 Win   Sylvester Cash Atlanta, Georgia, USA Decision (Unanimous) 9 2:00
Wins PKC Light Middleweight U.S title.
1985-11-02 Win   Gerald Murphy Kenwood U.S. Open National Karate Championships Daytona Beach, Florida, USA KO (Punch) 1
1985-08-16 Win   Wade Woodbury Toledo, Florida, USA Decision (Split) 12 6-0
1985-00-00 Win  U.C. Owens PKC US Middleweight Championship Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA Desicion (Unanimous) 5 2
1985-00-00 Win   Mike Winklejohn USA Decision (Unanimous)
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
10 matches 4 wins 6 losses
By knockout 2 1
By submission 0 3
By decision 2 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 4–6 Wayne Cole Submission (armbar) SJW 3 - Slammin Jammin Weekend 3 May 9, 2009 1 0:36
Loss 4–5 Ryan Jimmo TKO (punches) PFP: Wanted November 29, 2008 1 2:24 Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Loss 4–4 Hector Ramirez Decision (unanimous) SuperFights MMA - Night of Combat 2 October 11, 2008 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Win 4–3 Reggie Cato TKO (corner stoppage) C3 Fights - Clash in Concho September 19, 2008 2 Concho, Oklahoma, USA
Loss 3–3 Todd Brown Submission (triangle choke) Combat USA - Fight Night June 28, 2008 2 1:31 Harris, Michigan, USA
Win 3–2 Roberto Martinez Decision (unanimous) C3 Fights - Contenders June 7, 2008 3 Concho, Oklahoma, USA
Win 2–2 B.J. Lacy KO (punches) Combat USA - Battle in the Bay 7 May 30, 2008 3 Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA
Loss 1–2 Michael McDonald Decision (unanimous) Strike FC: Night of Gladiators April 18, 2008 2 5:00 Ploiești, Romania
Win 1–1 Michael Buell Decision (unanimous) CCCF - Battle on the Border March 29, 2008 3 3:00 Newkirk, Oklahoma, USA
Loss 0–1 Maurice Smith Submission (straight armbar) Strikeforce: At The Dome February 23, 2008 1 1:53 Tacoma, Washington, USA

Professional boxing record edit

13 Wins (11 knockouts, 2 decisions), 5 Losses (3 knockouts, 2 decisions), 1 Draw[12]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 13-5-1   Dale Brown TKO 9 30/11/2001   Montreal, Quebec, Canada Referee stopped the bout after the ninth round.
Win 13-4-1   James Johnson UD 4 23/02/2001   Janesville, Wisconsin, United States
Loss 12-4-1   Ismael Youla PTS 8 21/02/1998   Paris, France
Loss 12-3-1   Arthur Williams TKO 4 22/02/1997   Condado, Puerto Rico, United States USBA Cruiserweight Title.
Loss 12-2-1   Bobby Crabtree TKO 7 27/09/1996   Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 12-1-1   Sean McClain TKO 4 10/08/1996   Las Vegas, Nevada, United States WBC Continental Americas Cruiserweight Title.
Win 11-1-1   Carlton Brown KO 2 27/04/1996   Doraville, Georgia, United States
Win 10-1-1   Rogue Dooley TKO 1 26/04/1996   Harvey, Illinois, United States
Win 9-1-1   Stan Johnson TKO 1 16/04/1996   Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Win 8-1-1   Rick Wilks KO 1 30/03/1996   Waterloo, Iowa, United States
Win 7-1-1   Raymond Wilks KO 1 29/03/1996   Dolton, Illinois, United States
Draw 6-1-1   Louis Monaco PTS 4 26/01/1996   Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 6-1   Gene Ibarra TKO 2 04/11/1995   Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 5-1   Daniel Salcedo TKO 2 30/09/1995   Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 4-1   Jordan Keepers KO 2 16/09/1995   Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Win 3-1   Ron Preston UD 4 18/08/1995   Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 2-1   Dennis Weaver TKO 2 03/08/1995   Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 1-1   Mike Brainard TKO 3 17/06/1995   Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 0-1   Ricardo Dabney PTS 4 29/04/1990   Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States

References edit

  1. ^ "NSAC report of ISKA Kickboxing" (PDF). Boxing.nv.gov. Retrieved 2016-04-11.
  2. ^ "PKA Worldwide is coming to Texas on August 27 to search for the best Kickboxers". Now Boxing. 2022-08-18. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  3. ^ "WKL WORLD KICKBOXING LEAGUE HALL OF FAME". wklleague (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  4. ^ Corcoran, John; Farkas, Emil; Sobel, Stuart (1993). The original martial arts encyclopedia : tradition, history, pioneers. Pro-Action Pub. p. 374. ISBN 978-0961512637.
  5. ^ "Rick Roufus". Black Belt. Active Interest Media, Inc. April 1999.
  6. ^ "Strikeforce - Strikeforce at the Dome: Sapp Returns, Smith Battles Roufus". Archived from the original on February 13, 2008. Retrieved January 20, 2008.
  7. ^ Sherdog.com. "Rick". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  8. ^ "K1USA". www.ikfkickboxing.com. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  9. ^ "Rick Roufus". www.ikfkickboxing.com. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  10. ^ "Rick Roufus vs. James Wilson, K-1 World Grand Prix 2012 in Tokyo Final 16 | Kickboxing Bout". Tapology. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  11. ^ "2006/03/05 TVN Entertainment (Results)". Centralkickboxing.org. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-14.
  12. ^ "Rick Roufus". BoxRec.com. Retrieved 2016-04-11.

External links edit