Edward Lee Ruth
Born (1990-10-21) October 21, 1990 (age 33)
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Other namesEasy
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
DivisionWelterweight (170) (2018–present)
Middleweight (185) (2016–2018, 2020–present)
Reach79 in (201 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofSan Jose, California, U.S.
TeamDethrone Mixed Martial Arts (2016–2018)
Alliance MMA (2018–2019)
American Kickboxing Academy (2019–present)
RankPurple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2]
WrestlingNCAA Division I Wrestling[3]
Freestyle Wrestling[4]
Years active2016–2020
Mixed martial arts record
Total11
Wins8
By knockout6
By decision2
Losses3
By submission2
By decision1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Penn State Nittany Lions
NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Gold medal – first place 2012 St. Louis 174 lb
Gold medal – first place 2013 Des Moines 184 lb
Gold medal – first place 2014 Oklahoma City 184 lb
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Philadelphia 174 lb
Big Ten Championships
Gold medal – first place 2011 Evanston 174 lb
Gold medal – first place 2012 West Lafayette 174 lb
Gold medal – first place 2013 Illinois 184 lb
Gold medal – first place 2014 Madison 184 lb
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championships
Silver medal – second place 2017 Irvine   Heavyweight (207.5 lb)
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Irvine   Medium Heavyweight (194.5 lb)

Edward Lee Ruth (born October 21, 1990) is an American former professional mixed martial artist and freestyle and folkstyle wrestler. He competed in the Middleweight division of Bellator MMA. As a folkstyle wrestler, he was a three-time NCAA Division I national champion.[5]

Early life and education

Ruth was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He wrestled at Susquehanna Township High School prior to transferring to Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey for his senior year and graduating in 2009.[6][7][8]

Wrestling

In folkstyle wrestling, Ruth competed for Pennsylvania State University from 2010 to 2014. While there, Ruth was a three-time NCAA Division I national champion. In freestyle wrestling, Ruth represented the United States at the 2014 World Wrestling Championships and the 2015 Wrestling World Cup.[9][10]

In July 2021, Ruth joined the University of Illinois wrestling program as an assistant coach.[11]

Mixed martial arts career

In December 2014, Ruth trained with mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Jon Jones.[12] While living in State College, Pennsylvania, Ruth trained at Central PA Mixed Martial Arts with head instructor Ryan Gruhn.[13][14][15]

Bellator MMA

He signed with Bellator MMA in May 2015. Due to his focus on competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics, Ruth declared that it would "be a little while" before his MMA debut.[16]

Ruth made his professional MMA debut in November 2016 on the undercard of Bellator 163 against Dustin Collins-Miles, fighting in the middleweight division.[17] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.'[18]

In his second professional MMA bout, Ruth faced Emanuele Palombi at Bellator 168 on December 10, 2016. He again won via TKO in the first round.[19]

Ruth was expected to face Aaron Goodwine at Bellator 178 on April 21, 2017 but the bout did not materialize. Ruth instead fought and defeated David Mundell.[20]

Ruth faced UFC veteran Chris Dempsey on November 3, 2017 at Bellator 186.[21] He won the fight via knockout in the second round.

Ruth was originally scheduled to make his welterweight debut and face Lazslo Furko of Hungary, but Furko pulled out due to injury. Ruth then faced Ion Pascu of Romania, who took the fight on two weeks notice at Bellator 196 held in Budapest, Hungary. This fight was agreed at a catchweight of 175 lbs.[22] He won the fight by unanimous decision after taking Pascu down numerous times and landing heavy ground and pound.

Ruth made his welterweight debut against Andy Murad at Bellator 201 in Temecula, California.[23] He won the fight by TKO in round two.

Ruth next entered the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix. He faced Neiman Gracie in the quarterfinals at Bellator 213 on December 15, 2018. He lost the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the fourth round.[24] After the loss, Ruth decided to leave Alliance MMA and join American Kickboxing Academy.[25]

Ruth faced Kiichi Kunimoto at Bellator 224 on July 12, 2019 and won the fight via TKO in the second round.[26]

On August 15, 2019, it was announced that Ruth had signed an exclusive multi-fight, multi-year contract extension with Bellator.[27] As the first fight of his new contract, Ruth faced Jason Jackson at Bellator 231 on October 25, 2019.[28] He won the back-and-forth fight by split decision.[29] 4 out of 6 media scores gave it to Jackson.[30]

Ruth faced Yaroslav Amosov in the main event of Bellator 239, on February 21, 2020.[31] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[32]

Ruth faced Taylor Johnson at Bellator 245 on September 11, 2020.[33] He lost the bout due to an inverted heel hook submission early in the first round.[34]

In July 2021, Ruth retired from MMA and took a job as assistant coach with the University of Illinois wrestling program, joining head coach Mike Poeta in his first year at the helm of the program.[35][36]

Championships and accomplishments

Freestyle wrestling

Folkstyle wrestling

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
11 matches 8 wins 3 losses
By knockout 6 0
By submission 0 2
By decision 2 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 8–3 Taylor Johnson Submission (inverted heel hook) Bellator 245 September 11, 2020 1 0:59 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Return to Middleweight.
Loss 8–2 Yaroslav Amosov Decision (unanimous) Bellator 239 February 21, 2020 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 8–1 Jason Jackson Decision (split) Bellator 231 October 25, 2019 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 7–1 Kiichi Kunimoto TKO (punches) Bellator 224 July 12, 2019 2 3:49 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 6–1 Neiman Gracie Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 213 December 15, 2018 4 2:17 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win 6–0 Andy Murad TKO (punches) Bellator 201 June 29, 2018 2 4:59 Temecula, California, United States Welterweight debut.
Win 5–0 Ion Pascu Decision (unanimous) Bellator 196 April 6, 2018 3 5:00 Budapest, Hungary Catchweight (175 lb) bout.[37]
Win 4–0 Chris Dempsey KO (punch) Bellator 186 November 3, 2017 2 0:27 University Park, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 3–0 David Mundell TKO (knee to the body) Bellator 178 April 21, 2017 2 3:13 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 2–0 Emanuele Palombi TKO (punches) Bellator 168 December 10, 2016 1 1:33 Florence, Italy Catchweight (189 lb) bout.[38]
Win 1–0 Dustin Collins-Miles TKO (punches) Bellator 163 November 4, 2016 1 3:19 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Catchweight (192 lb) bout.[39]

NCAA record

NCAA Championships Matches Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event 2014 NCAA Championships at 184 lbs Win 20-1 Jimmy Sheptock 7-2 March 20–22, 2014 2014 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Win 19-1 Gabe Dean 5-3 Win 18-1 Kevin Steinhaus MD 10-2 Win 17-1 Lazarus Reyes TF 15-0 Win 16-1 Jackson Hein Fall 2013 NCAA Championships at 184 lbs Win 15-1 Robert Hamlin MD 12-4 March 21–23, 2013 2013 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Win 14-1 Steve Bosak 4-1 Win 13-1 Josh Ihnen MD 11-1 Win 12-1 Kevin Radford Fall Win 11-1 Fred Garcia Fall 2012 NCAA Championships at 174 lbs Win 10-1 Nick Amuchastegui MD 13-2 March 15–17, 2012 2012 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Win 9-1 Logan Storley TF 17-1 Win 8-1 Nick Heflin 11-4 Win 7-1 Dorian Henderson Fall Win 6-1 Jim Resnick Fall 2011 NCAA Championships at 174 lbs Win 5-1 Chris Henrich 7-2 March 17–19, 2011 2011 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Win 4-1 Ben Bennett Fall Win 3-1 Luke Manuel 7-6 Lose 2-1 Nick Amuchastegui WDF Win 2-0 Scott Glasser 5-3 Win 1-0 Royal Bettrager Fall

Freestyle record

Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event Location 2015 US Nationals 8th at 86kg Loss 42-14 Clayton Foster 8-15 December 18, 2015 2015 US Senior National Championships Las Vegas, Nevada Win 42-13 Ethen Lofthouse TF 10-0 Loss 41-13 David Taylor TF 0-13 Win 41-12 Anthony Jones Fall Win 40-12 Frank Richmond TF 11-0 2015 Henri Deglane at 86kg Loss 39-12 Gheorghiță Ștefan TF 0-10 November 27, 2015 2015 Henri Deglane Challenge Nice, France Win 39-11 Armin Rezazadehbabaei TF 10-0 Win 38-11 Giorgi Tigishvili 9-1 2015 Bill Farrell at 86kg Win 37-11 Jon Reader TF 13-0 November 7, 2015 2015 Bill Farrell International Open New York City, New York Win 36-11 Richard Perry 5-4 Win 35-11 Robert Hamlin TF 14-3 Win 34-11 Timmy McCall TF 12-2 2015 World Cup at 86kg Loss 33-11 Dauren Kurugliev Fall July 24, 2015 2015 Wrestling World Cup Baku, Azerbaijan Win 33-10 Reineris Salas 22-13 2015 US World Team Trials at 86 kg Loss 32-10 Jake Herbert 2-10 July 13, 2015 2015 US World Team Trials Madison, Wisconsin Loss 32-9 Jake Herbert TF 3-13 Win 32-8 Keith Gavin TF 12-2 2015 US World Team Trials Challenge Tournament Win 31-8 Jon Reader 24-18 Win 30-8 Phillip Keddy TF 14-3 2015 ASICS US Nationals at 86kg Win 29-8 Deron Winn TF 12-2 May 7, 2015 2015 Las Vegas/ASICS US Senior National Championships Las Vegas, Nevada Win 28-8 Jon Reader TF 10-0 Loss 27-8 Jake Herbert 11-13 Win 27-7 Ryan Loder TF 10-0 Win 26-7 Austin Morehead TF 13-2 Win 25-7 Adam Fierro TF 10-0 2014 World Championship 15th at 86kg Loss 24-7 Mohammad Hossein Mohammadian 4-7 September 8, 2014 2014 World Wrestling Championships Tashkent, Uzbekistan Win 24-6 Yusup Melejayev TF 12-2 2014 Heydar Aliyev Memorial at 86kg Win 23-6 Taimuraz Friev 5-0 July 24, 2014 2014 Heydar Aliyev Memorial Golden Grand Prix Baku, Azerbaijan Loss 22-6 Shamil Kudiyamagomedov 2-3 Win 22-5 Magomiedgadży Chatijew 4-1 Win 21-5 Armands Zvirbulis TF 18-4 2014 US World Team Trials at 86 kg Win 20-5 Keith Gavin 11-7 June 1, 2014 2014 US World Team Trials Madison, Wisconsin Win 19-5 Keith Gavin Fall Loss 18-5 Keith Gavin 5-7 Win 18-4 Clayton Foster 7-3 2014 US World Team Trials Challenge Tournament Win 17-4 Phillip Keddy TF 14-4 Win 16-4 Robert Hamlin TF 13-3 2014 US Open at 86kg Win 15-4 Jon Reader 12-11 April 18, 2014 2014 U.S Open Wrestling Championships Las Vegas, Nevada Win 14-4 Robert Hamlin 6-2 Loss 13-4 Clayton Foster 13-14 Win 13-3 Phillip Keddy 14-10 Win 12-3 Richard Perry TF 11-1 Win 11-3 Kane Hobbs TF 10-0 2013 Universiade Games 23rd at 86kg Loss 10-3 Mohammad Hossein Mohammadian TF 0-10 July 11, 2013 2013 Summer Universiade Tashkent, Uzbekistan 2013 University Nationals at 86kg Win 10-2 Cameron Simaz TF 10-0 May 25, 2013 2013 US University National Championships Akron, Ohio Win 9-2 Cameron Simaz 6-4 Win 8-2 Max Thomusseit 9-8 Win 7-2 Kenneth Courts 14-9 Win 6-2 Michael Dessino TF 10-0 Win 5-2 David Chenevey TF 10-0 Win 4-2 Nolan Boyd TF 17-7 2013 US Open 4th at 86kg Loss 3-2 Jon Reader 7-3 April 18, 2013 2013 US Open Wrestling Championships Las Vegas, Nevada Win 3-1 Austin Trotman 7-3 Loss 2-1 Clayton Foster 1-7 Win 2-0 Enock Francois 5-0 Win 1-0 Daniel Bedoy 10-4

Submission grappling record

12 Matches, 9 Wins (4 Submissions), 3 Losses (1 Submission)
Result Rec. Opponent Method Event Division Type Year Location
Loss 9–3 Australia Louis Edward Kelly Ryan Points (7-8) 2019 IBJJF World No-Gi Championships 91.5 kg Nogi December 14, 2019 United States Anaheim, CA
Win 9–2 Brazil Christopher Diaz Jr Points (2-0)
Win 8–2 United States Vincent M. Valenzuela Submission (anaconda choke)
Loss 7–2 Brazil Mateus Rodrigues Submission (armbar) 2018 IBJJF Pan American Jiu-jitsu Championships 74 kg Gi (blue) March 11, 2018 United States Irvine, CA
Win 7–1 Brazil Felipe Porto Shiavon Submission (arm-triangle choke)
Win 6–1 United States Logan Ross Points (6-0)
Win 5–1 United States Derek Young Points (14-0)
Loss 4–1 United States Conner DeAngelis Points (0-2) 2017 IBJJF Pan American Jiu-jitsu Championships 94 kg Gi (blue) March 16, 2017 United States Irvine, CA
Win 4–0 United States Alex Sterner Points (16-0)
Win 3–0 United States Jerome Harris Jr Points (13-0)
Win 2–0 United States Kevin Fusiler Submission (kimura)
Win 1–0 United States Kristien Ruffin Submission (armbar)

References

  1. ^ "Bellator". bellator.com. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  2. ^ "The "Cradle Machine" Ed Ruth DVD Review". www.bjj-world.com. July 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
  3. ^ "PA'S ED RUTH WINS THIRD NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP FOR PENN STATE". www.papowerwrestling.com. 23 March 2014. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
  4. ^ "Former Penn State wrestler Ed Ruth defeated in World Team Trials finals". www.pennlive.com. 14 June 2015. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  5. ^ "Ed Ruth". Team USA. Archived from the original on September 5, 2014.
  6. ^ "Wrestling: Blair's Ed Ruth among five New Jersey All-Americans at NCAA tournament". nj.com. 22 March 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  7. ^ "Penn State wrestler Ed Ruth, out of Blair Academy, suspended indefinitely, report says". lehighvalleylive.com. 14 November 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  8. ^ "Ed Ruth helped along path to multiple national championships by mom, youth coach". PennLive.com. 24 March 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  9. ^ "U.S. completes its Freestyle World Cup roster for Los Angeles, April 11–12". Team USA. Archived from the original on March 20, 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  10. ^ "Ed Ruth Leads Penn State Contingent at 2014 World Team Trials". gopsusports.com. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  11. ^ "Poeta Adds Ed Ruth to Coaching Staff". University of Illinois Athletics. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
  12. ^ Fox Sports. "Ed Ruth, three-time national champ, wants Olympic gold and UFC glory". FOX Sports. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  13. ^ "Ed Ruth Facebook Review of Central PA Mixed Martial Arts". CPAMMA. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  14. ^ "Ed Ruth Instagram". Ed Ruth. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  15. ^ "Q&A: Ed Ruth returns to University Park, looks to school Chris Dempsey - Fighters Only". Fighters Only. 2017-10-27. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
  16. ^ Okamoto, Brett (2015-05-11). "Ed Ruth signs with Bellator MMA". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2015-07-03.
  17. ^ "Ed Ruth, Tyrell Fortune Set for Bellator Debuts - FloWrestling".
  18. ^ "Former Penn State wrestlers Phil Davis, Ed Ruth excited to return to alma mater for Bellator 186". centredaily. Retrieved 2017-09-01.
  19. ^ Danny Segura (December 10, 2016). "Bellator 168 results: Alessio Sakara knocks out Joey Beltran". mmafighting.com.
  20. ^ Steven Marrocco (April 21, 2017). "Bellator 178 results: 'Pitbull' Freire submits Straus in fourth encounter to recapture title". mmajunkie.com.
  21. ^ "Phil Davis, Ed Ruth Get Opponents for Bellator 186 on Penn State University Campus".
  22. ^ Bohn, Mike (26 March 2018). "Ed Ruth gets new Bellator 196 opponent and contracted weight". mmajunkie. MMA Junkie. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  23. ^ Bohn, Mike (4 June 2018). "Undefeated Ed Ruth added to Bellator 201 in Temecula". mmajunkie. MMA Junkie. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  24. ^ "Bellator 213 Results: Macfarlane vs Létourneau". mmafighting.com. December 15, 2018.
  25. ^ Craig Allen (October 20, 2019). "Ed Ruth Looking to Continue Winning Ways at Bellator 231". fightnightpicks.net.
  26. ^ Anderson, Jay (2019-07-12). "Bellator 224 Results: Ed Ruth Stops Kiichi Kunimoto in Second". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
  27. ^ Nolan King (August 15, 2019). "Phil Davis, Ed Ruth among five fighters to sign Bellator contract extensions". mmajunkie.com.
  28. ^ Nolan King (August 29, 2019). "Ed Ruth gets next assignment: LFA champion Jason Jackson at Bellator 231". mmajunkie.com.
  29. ^ Anderson, Jay (2019-10-25). "Bellator 231 Results: Ed Ruth Squeaks Past Jason Jackson". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  30. ^ "Ed Ruth def. Jason Jackson :: Bellator 231 :: MMA Decisions". www.mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  31. ^ "Ed Ruth vs. Yaroslav Amosov headlines Bellator 239 in Oklahoma on Feb. 21, Girtz-Jury set for co-main". mmajunkie.com. December 2, 2019.
  32. ^ "Bellator 239 results: Yaroslav Amosov outpoints Ed Ruth, remains unbeaten". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. 22 February 2020.
  33. ^ "Bellator 245 fills out, including Ed Ruth, Rafael Carvalho, Tyrell Fortune". mmajunkie.com. August 21, 2020.
  34. ^ Anderson, Jay (2020-09-11). "Bellator 245 Results: Taylor Johnson Shocks Ed Ruth with Inverted Heel Hook". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  35. ^ "Poeta Adds Ed Ruth to Coaching Staff". University of Illinois Athletics. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  36. ^ "Penn State wrestling legend Ed Ruth joins Illinois coaching staff". 247Sports. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  37. ^ Mike Bohn (March 26, 2018). "Ed Ruth gets new Bellator 196 opponent and contracted weight". mmajunkie.com.
  38. ^ Staff (December 10, 2016). "Bellator 168 weigh-in results and photos (don't forget: 4 p.m. ET live start time today on Spike)". mmajunkie.com.
  39. ^ Staff (November 3, 2016). "Bellator 163 weigh-in results: Headliners on weight but main-card bout scrapped". mmajunkie.com.

External links

Categories