Ron Sparks (fighter)

Ron Sparks
Born (1974-11-23) November 23, 1974
Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Other names The Monster
Nationality American
Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight 119.7 kg (264 lb; 18.85 st)
Division Heavyweight
Reach 74.0
Style Kickboxing
Team Louisville MMA
Trainer Jason Y
Rank 2 time world champion (RFL and AFL )
Years active 2006–present
Kickboxing record
Total 21
Wins 18
By knockout 15
Losses 1
By knockout 1
Draws 2
Mixed martial arts record
Total 23
Wins 20
By knockout 18
By submission 1
By decision 1
Losses 3
By knockout 2
By submission 1
Other information
Occupation Owner, A-Ron Construction, Louisville KY
Website [email protected]
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: June 11th 2016

Ron Sparks (born November 23, 1974) is an American mixed martial artist, who formerly competed in Bellator's Heavyweight division.[1]

Background

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Sparks was introduced to combat sports through his father, a Vietnam War veteran who also worked as a martial arts instructor in the military. Sparks himself began training when he was seven years old, before transitioning into kickboxing when he was a teenager and became a sparring partner for various local boxers and kickboxers. Sparks then embarked on his own career in kickboxing, before finally switching over to MMA. Sparks is also owner of a general contracting company, A-Ron Construction. A-Ron Construction is based in Louisville, Kentucky; servicing all aspects of home improvement needs.

Early career

Sparks made his professional MMA debut on June 17, 2006, defeating Heath Zimmerman via KO at Caged Inferno 2. Following this impressive win, Sparks would compile an undefeated record of 5-0 before being signed by Bellator MMA in June 2010.[2]

Bellator MMA

Sparks made his Bellator debut in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky at Bellator 30, which he won by knockout after just 50 seconds. He then fought veteran Vince Lucero at Bellator 43 on May 7, 2011, which he won via first-round submission.

Sparks entered into the Bellator Season Five Heavyweight Tournament. In the opening round, he faced Mark Holata at Bellator 52 and won via knockout in the first round. Sparks then faced Eric Prindle in the semifinals and lost via knockout in the first round.

Sparks will compete in the Bellator Season Seven Heavyweight Tournament, and was expected to face Mark Godbeer in the quarterfinals at Bellator 75.[3]

Sparks faced Vitaly Minakov on June 19, 2013 at Bellator 96 in the opening round of the Heavyweight Tournament.[4] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Sparks made his next appearance for Bellator at Bellator 105 on October 25, 2013, facing fellow kickboxer Mighty Mo. Sparks lost via submission in the first round.

Sparks was released from Bellator on August 25, 2014.[5]

Other promotions

Sparks was expected to face Josh Walker at Hardrock MMA 60 on February 1, 2014. However, in the weeks leading up to the event, the fight was taken off of the card for unknown reasons.[6] Sparks was expected to face Jeremy May on September 20, 2014 at Square Ring Promotions: Island Fights 30.[7] However, the fight was cancelled for unknown reasons.[8]

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 8–3 Mighty Mo Submission (americana) Bellator 105 October 25, 2013 1 2:52 Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States
Loss 8–2 Vitaly Minakov TKO (punches) Bellator 96 June 19, 2013 1 0:32 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Bellator Summer Series 2013 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal
Loss 8–1 Eric Prindle KO (punch) Bellator 56 October 29, 2011 1 0:40 Kansas City, Kansas, United States Bellator Season Five Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal
Win 8–0 Mark Holata KO (punches) Bellator 52 October 1, 2011 1 1:24 Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Bellator Season Five Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal
Win 7–0 Vince Lucero Submission (keylock) Bellator 43 May 7, 2011 1 2:18 Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States
Win 6–0 Gregory Maynard KO (punch) Bellator 30 September 23, 2010 1 0:50 Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Win 5–0 Johnathan Ivey Decision (unanimous) RFL: Maximum Impact June 27, 2009 4 5.00 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win 4–0 Geoffrey Meisner TKO (punches) Colosseo Championship Fighting March 6, 2009 1 1:07 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win 3–0 TC Shane KO (punches) Caged Inferno 3 September 30, 2006 1 0:36 Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Win 2–0 Aaron Schenk TKO (punches) Clash in the Cage 1 July 29, 2006 1 0:24 Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, United States
Win 1–0 Heath Zimmerman KO (punches) Caged Inferno 2 June 17, 2006 1 0:17 Louisville, Kentucky, United States

Kickboxing record

0 wins, 1 loss
Result Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 0-1 Belarus Alexey Ignashov KO (right high kick) K-1 ColliZion 2009 Final Elimination October 24, 2009 2 2:15 Arad, Romania

Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest

References

  1. ↑ Denny, Mike. "Ron Sparks Exclusive Interview". MMA Sports. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  2. ↑ "Bellator signs undefeated heavyweight Ron Sparks to fight at Bellator 23 in Louisville". mmamania.com. June 15, 2010.
  3. ↑ http://www.bellator.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=205564428&DB_OEM_ID=23600 Eight Heavyweights Invade Horseshoe Casino Hammond at Bellator 75 on October 5
  4. ↑ "Judo Master vs. Amazing Kickboxer". tapology.com. May 19, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Bellator releases Attila Vegh, Shahbulat Shamhalaev and eleven other fighters". mmafighting.com. August 25, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Ron Sparks vs. Josh Walker, cancelled bout". tapology.com. February 1, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Square Ring Promotions - Island Fights 30". sherdog.com.
  8. ↑ "Jeremy May vs. Ron Sparks". Tapology.com.
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