Rico Hattingh
Rico Hattingh (born 11 May 1981 in Cape Town, South Africa) is a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and amateur wrestler. Hattingh is the undefeated South African heavyweight MMA champion.
Grappling background
Hattingh started wrestling at the age of seven and was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1999.
- BJJ Pan Am Championship 2008 (New York, USA): Gold medal in the blue belt heavyweight division.
- Carlson Gracie African Cup 2008 (PE, South Africa): 4 x Gold medals in the heavyweight and absolute divisions (gi and no-gi).
- Cape of Storms Nationals 2008 (CT, South Africa): 4 x Gold medals in the heavyweight and absolute divisions (gi and no-gi).
- Carlson Gracie African Cup 2009 (PE, South Africa): 2 x Gold medals in the heavyweight (no-gi) and absolute division (gi).
Mixed martial arts career
Hattingh was introduced to the sport of MMA in 2002 and became the South African heavyweight MMA champion one year later. He successfully defended his title several times against local and international opponents and remains undefeated in South Africa. Hattingh regularly trains in California with Dan Henderson (Team Quest) and also runs his own mixed martial arts school in Cape Town, South Africa. Hattingh is GeneRally recognized as a submission specialist and ground-and-pound fighter, but has in recent years trained extensively in western boxing and Muay Thai.
Mixed martial arts record
Hattingh has a professional MMA record of 12 fights, 10 wins and 2 losses.
12 fights |
10 wins |
2 losses |
|---|---|---|
By knockout |
2 |
1 |
By submission |
8 |
|
By decision |
1 |
Result |
Opponent |
Method |
Round |
Event |
Date |
Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss |
Chad Corvin |
KO (punches) |
1 |
XFC 6 |
2008 |
Florida, USA |
Win |
Wade Henderson |
TKO (punches) |
1 |
Megalodon Promotions |
2008 |
Durban, South Africa |
Win |
David Mcvay |
TKO (punches) |
1 |
Dragon Power Promotions |
2008 |
Cape Town, South Africa |
Win |
Donovan Hawkey |
Submission (straight armbar) |
1 |
Megalodon Promotions |
2007 |
Durban, South Africa |
Win |
Dave Legeno |
Submission (rear [...] choke) |
1 |
Megalodon Promotions |
2006 |
Durban, South Africa |
Loss |
Devin Cole |
Decision (unanimous) |
3 |
Rumble in Rose Garden II |
2005 |
Portland, USA |
Win |
Trevor Prangley |
Submission (triangle) |
3 |
APFC |
2005 |
Cape Town, South Africa |
Win |
Wiehan Lesch |
Submission (rear [...] choke) |
2 |
APFC |
2004 |
Cape Town, South Africa |
Win |
Julio Greco |
Submission (strangle) |
2 |
Fight Club |
2004 |
Durban, South Africa |
Win |
Wiehan Lesch |
Submission (kneebar) |
1 |
Battle in the Bay II |
2003 |
PE, South Africa |
Win |
Shaun Strydom |
Submission (strangle) |
1 |
Fight Club |
2003 |
Cape Town, South Africa |
Win |
Shaun Strydom |
Submission (armbar) |
1 |
Battle in the Bay |
2002 |
PE, South Africa |
Personal life
Hattingh lives with his two pitbull terriers in Cape Town, South Africa.