Ron Sparks (fighter)
Ron Sparks (born November 23, 1974) was[1] an American mixed martial artist, who formerly competed in Bellator's Strikeforce K-1 King of the cage Revolution fight league American fight league Heavyweight division.[2]
| Ron Sparks | |
|---|---|
 Ron Sparks in 2013 | |
| Born | November 23, 1974 Louisville, Kentucky, United States |
| Died | July 15, 2023 Louisville, KY |
| Other names | The Monster |
| Residence | Louisville, Kentucky, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Weight | 119.7 kg (264 lb; 18.85 st) |
| Division | Heavyweight |
| Reach | 74. |
| Style | Kickboxing Karate BJJ |
| Team | Louisville MMA |
| Teacher(s) | Terry Middleton and Jeff Embry |
| Trainer | Jason Y |
| Rank | 1st Dan
Black Belt in Karate Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Gracie Barra |
| Years active | 2000-present |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 21 |
| Wins | 18 |
| By knockout | 15 |
| Losses | 1 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Draws | 2 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 27 |
| Wins | 24 |
| By knockout | 22 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Losses | 3 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Occupation | Owner, A-Ron Construction, Louisville KY |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Last updated on: June 11th 2016 | |
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 was also owner of a general contracting company, A-Ron Construction, 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.[3]
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.[4]
Sparks faced Vitaly Minakov on June 19, 2013, at Bellator 96 in the opening round of the Heavyweight Tournament.[5] 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.[6]
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.[7] Sparks was expected to face Jeremy May on September 20, 2014, at Square Ring Promotions: Island Fights 30.[8] However, the fight was cancelled for unknown reasons.[9]
Mixed martial arts record
| 11 matches | 8 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 2 |
| By submission | 1 | 1 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 8–3 | Mighty Mo | Submission (Keylock) | 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 |  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
- "Ronnie Sparks Obituary - Louisville, KY". Dignity Memorial. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
- Denny, Mike. "Ron Sparks Exclusive Interview". MMA Sports. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
- "Bellator signs undefeated heavyweight Ron Sparks to fight at Bellator 23 in Louisville". mmamania.com. June 15, 2010.
- "Eight Heavyweights Invade Horseshoe Casino Hammond at Bellator 75 on October 5 - Bellator Fighting Championships". Archived from the original on 2012-08-29. Retrieved 2012-10-05. Eight Heavyweights Invade Horseshoe Casino Hammond at Bellator 75 on October 5
- "Judo Master vs. Amazing Kickboxer". tapology.com. May 19, 2013.
- "Bellator releases Attila Vegh, Shahbulat Shamhalaev and eleven other fighters". mmafighting.com. August 25, 2014.
- "Ron Sparks vs. Josh Walker, cancelled bout". tapology.com. February 1, 2014.
- "Square Ring Promotions - Island Fights 30". sherdog.com.
- "Jeremy May vs. Ron Sparks". Tapology.com.