About RUF nation

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.

Some notable fighters contracted by RUF NATION, LLC include Cain Velasquez, Ryan Bader, CB Dollaway, John Moraga, Kelvin Gastelum, Tracy Cortez, Tom Ortiz, Tony Lopez, Andre Maracaba, Jose “No Chance” Tome, Pete Rodriguez, Ed West, Jose Delgado, Marcus “The Maniac” McGhee, Waldo Cortes, An Ho, Sullivan Cauley, Roman Salazar, Terrance Jean-Jacques, Shannon “The Cannon” Ritch, and many others. UFC stars regularly attend and support RUF NATION events.