Ricky Simón may have just completely changed the direction of his career with a single punch at UFC Seattle.
Long Drought Threatened Ricky Simón’s UFC Tenure
In the not so distant past, Ricky Simón was regarded as one of the top 15 bantamweight competitors in the world. Riding a superb five-fight win streak from 2020 to 2022, the Oregon native appeared to be on a crash course with the upper echelon of the division. However, following a fifth-round knockout defeat to Song Yadong at UFC on ESPN 45, Simón began to fall into a slump, losing his next two bouts to Mario Bautista and Vinicius Oliveira.
Competing in his first scrap of 2025 at UFC Seattle this past weekend, the Syndicate MMA product’s back was firmly against the wall, having fallen short in his past three trips to the Octagon. His opponent for the occasion was bantamweight standout Javid Basharat, a man who had only lost just once in the promotion to the current No. 14 contender Aiemann Zahabi. He also had never been finished as an amateur or as a professional.
Outstanding Performance Puts Ricky Simón Back Into Winners’ Circle
Despite his situation, Ricky Simón stepped into the cage with a new sense of determination, and a new hairstyle, immediately pressed the action against Basharat, using his jab to find his range. He also found success with his grappling, including nearly suplexing “The Snow Leopard.” While Basharat did manage to land some significant shots on his opponent, Simón merely shrugged them off and continued his assault.
Then, with barely a minute left in the contest, Simón delivered a powerful right straight that put the Afghan out instantly, forcing the referee to step in and stop the fight.
Speaking with Michael Bisping in his post-fight interview, Ricky Simón gave insight into his plan of combating Basharat, opting to instill the threat of takedowns in his adversary before switching to a more aggressive boxing style.
“Wrestling always sets up the striking, and the wrestling always sets up the striking,” Ricky Simón said. “So, I was trying to press the wrestling, get him worried about it, and invest the power up top.”
Scoring an unbelievable highlight reel stoppage, Ricky Simón ended his losing streak with unparalleled levels of style. While he may have been in dire straits for the past year and a half, he ultimately never lost faith in himself or his skills, claiming to be a part of the best division in the company. He ended his time on the mic giving thanks to the Washington crowd, stating his appreciation for everyone in attendance.
“Man, I needed that. I fought all of the best guys in the best division in the UFC,” Ricky Simón told the audience. “I know I was on a losing streak, but I know I’m one of the best in the world, and this was a dream come true to come out and do this for you guys. Thank you for the energy, I love you guys, thank you Seattle.”