Rick Roufus

Rick Roufus
Born	Rick John Roufus (1966-06-03) June 3, 1966 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Other names	The Jet
Nickname	The Jet
Nationality	American
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Division	Light middleweight Middleweight Super middleweight Light Heavyweight Cruiserweight Heavyweight
Style	Kickboxing, taekwondo, boxing
Stance	Southpaw
Fighting out of	Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Team	Roufus Kickboxing Center
Years active	1985–2012 (kickboxing) 1990–2001 (boxing) 2008–2009 (MMA)
Professional boxing record
Total	19
Wins	13
By knockout	11
Losses	5
Draws	1
Kickboxing record
Total	77
Wins	65
By knockout	44
Losses	9
Draws	2
No contests	1
Mixed martial arts record
Total	10
Wins	4
By knockout	2
By decision	2
Losses	6
By knockout	1
By submission	3
By decision	2
Other information
Notable relatives	Duke Roufus, brother
Website	https://rickroufus.pro/
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Last updated on: January 16, 2024.

Rick John Roufus (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 middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight. Roufus held titles for all the major kickboxing associations worldwide (PKA, IKF, ISKA, FFKA and KICK), and is known for his boxing skills and powerful kicks.

Roufus is the Global Director of Fighter Development for PKA Worldwide. In 2012 he was inducted into the World Kickboxing League Hall of Fame.

Biography and career

Rick Roufus began his martial arts practice at the age of 5 under the tutelage of his father Pat J. Roufus, a renowned PKA referee, who had graduated as a black belt in 1973 by Dukan Yun. 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 five rounds.

In April 1987, he fought against John Moncayo for the world title of KICK 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. After the fight, the Roufus brothers sought out Thai experts to learn the art of kicking and kick control.

On 19 June 1991, Roufus faced Marek Piotrowski. It was a rematch, as Piotrowski had 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, WMTA Light Heavyweight World Champion. 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 entered the world of boxing. He enjoyed some success, but 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, 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 later revealed that 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.

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 four wins with six losses.

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 in 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, Roufus had slipped on the ring canvas in his second bout of the night and town his ACL in the bout. Against McDonald he fought cautiously due to the injury because he did not want to risk hurting it more. In the end, he felt like he had done enough to win. However, after three 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. This should have been a majority decision win for Roufus, but instead, it was a draw due to K-1 rules requiring a fighter to win a tournament by two full points. Because of his injury, Roufus withdrew from the bout by choosing not to fight the extra 4th round, giving McDonald the win.

In October 22, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nevada, 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. Roufus was finally able to meet up with Mo almost a year later on September 8, 2012 in Los Angeles California, winning a three-round split decision.

His last professional fight was at the 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.

Personal life

He is the older brother of Duke Roufus, who is also a kickboxer and a Muay Thai and mixed martial arts instructor.

Titles

• 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

Kickboxing record

65 wins, 9 losses, 2 draws, 1 no contest
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
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	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
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
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
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
Retains ISKA Full Contact Light Heavyweight World title. (2)
1992-04-25	Win	Henk Pelser	Karatemania IV	Atlanta, Georgia, USA	KO	8
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
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
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
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
Loses PKC Middleweight U.S title.
1989-07-20	Win	Andy Mayo		Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA	KO	3
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
1988-00-00	Win	Mike Steele		USA	KO (left hook)	1	1:15
1988-00-00	Win	Chris Getz	ISKA Kickboxing	USA	KO (left hook)	1	2:0
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
Wins KICK Super Middleweight World title.
1987-03-13	Win	Jordan Keepers	PKC US Middleweight Championship	USA	Decision (unanimous)	6	2
1986-11-20	Win	Rich Lopez	Nautilus American Kickboxing Championships	Lake Helen, Florida, USA	Decision (unanimous)	9	2:00
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
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
1985-00-00	Win	U.C. Owens	PKC US Middleweight Championship	Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA	Decision (unanimous)	5	2
1985-00-00	Win	Mike Winklejohn		USA	Decision (unanimous)
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/no contest   Notes

Mixed martial arts record

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

External links

• Boxing record for Rick Roufus from BoxRec (registration required)
• Professional MMA record for Rick Roufus from Sherdog
• Profile at K-1
• Rick Roufus on Myspace