ABOUT RUF NATION
Arizona's premier combat sports organization. 20+ years in the making.
Ringside Unified Fighting, widely known as RUF MMA, is Arizona's premier mixed martial arts organization — operating as a licensed combat sports league, event promotions company, and vertical marketing agency.
We are 100% Arizona Tribally owned and operated. We hold a promoter's license through the Arizona State Boxing & MMA Commission, a gaming license through the Arizona Department of Gaming, and multiple casino gaming licenses across Arizona.
Our events take place at Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, AZ — Arizona's iconic round venue. The Phoenix Suns have Footprint Arena. The Diamondbacks have Chase Field. Arizona's MMA league has Celebrity Theatre.
Built on Family Values
RUF NATION is based on family values, grassroots development, and determination. Starting with no capital, Joel Lopez, a former wrestling state champion from Watsonville, California, had a vision to promote fights. Initially working alone under the name Ringside Promotions, he organized boxing shows for major organizations such as Top Rank Boxing, Main Events, and did some marketing for Golden Boy Promotions in Arizona.
Lopez's cousin, Adrian Romo from Oakland, California, began attending these events as a supporter and eventually joined him in providing assistance.
After a few years, at a bar in Scottsdale on Cinco de Mayo, Joel proposed the idea to Adrian of partnering together to start hosting MMA shows at Native American casinos — leading to the creation of RUF Nation.
Later on, CJ Pitman, a pawn shop owner, and Jason Martinez, a community college counselling department chair, joined the team — solidifying RUF NATION as the top MMA organization in the western United States.
How RUF Began
RINGSIDE PROMOTIONS
Joel Lopez, a former wrestling state champion from Watsonville, California, starts promoting fights solo under the name Ringside Promotions. He organizes boxing shows for Top Rank Boxing, Main Events, and does marketing for Golden Boy Promotions in Arizona.
RUF NATION IS BORN
On Cinco de Mayo at a bar in Scottsdale, Joel proposes a new idea to his cousin Adrian Romo from Oakland, California: start hosting MMA shows at Native American casinos. Adrian joins as a partner. RUF Nation is born.
GROWING THE VISION
CJ Pitman (pawn shop owner) and Jason Martinez (community college counselling department chair) join the organization, solidifying RUF Nation as the top MMA organization in the western United States.
A PERMANENT HOME
RUF Nation announces an exclusive partnership with the legendary Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix — one of the most iconic concert and entertainment venues in Arizona. A permanent home for Arizona MMA.
THE PROVING GROUND
66+ events later, RUF Nation continues to be Arizona's proving ground — the platform that launched UFC and Bellator careers, produced 1,800+ fan nights, and continues to grow the sport of MMA in the Southwest.
The Team Behind RUF
Joel Lopez
Founder & CEO
Former wrestling state champion, 20+ years promoting combat sports in Arizona.
Featured Interview →Adrian Romo
Co-Founder
Co-founder and longtime partner who helped build RUF Nation from a bar-table idea to Arizona's premier MMA league.
CJ Pitman
Partner
Joined the RUF team and helped grow the organization statewide.
Jason Martinez
Matchmaker
Community college counselling department chair who joined to help build the RUF platform.
Notable RUF Alumni
Fighters who have competed under the RUF NATION banner — many of them now competing in the UFC, Bellator, PFL, and ONE Championship. UFC stars regularly attend and support RUF NATION events.
MMA Alumni
RUF Boxing Alumni
…and many others.
Elite vs. Elite. That's the RUF Standard.
OTHER PROMOTIONS match local talent against mediocre local competition — one-sided fights that bore fans and waste fighters' time.
RUF NATION only accepts elite-level talent from across the country. Every fight is competitive. Every card is stacked. Every fan goes home satisfied.
WE FEED THE UFC. Our alumni have gone on to the UFC, Bellator, PFL, and ONE Championship. RUF isn't a local show — it's a national-caliber platform in Phoenix's backyard.
Licensed & Regulated
Governed by the Arizona Boxing and MMA Commission and the Arizona Department of Gaming. Licensed across multiple tribal gaming properties in Arizona.
JOIN THE RUF FAMILY
Think of us as the NBA in the '80s. We are on a growth trajectory, and we want you to be a part of our journey. As we continue to scale and the sport continues to grow, we are looking to create long-term partnerships that provide solutions for years to come.
Join us in our mission to provide the most exciting and energy-filled MMA events. Let's grow together.
For more information about partnership and sponsorship opportunities, please contact CJ Pitman at cj@rufnation.com.