Ricky Simon

Ricky Simon spent years as a fixture in the bantamweight rankings on the back of strong wrestling and a relentless motor. His grinding pressure style, built on takedowns, top control and cardio, made him a difficult, physical matchup and carried him into contention in one of the sport's most brutal divisions.

Simon banked meaningful wins along the way, most notably a victory over the previously unbeaten prospect Jack Shore that pushed him toward the title picture. He earned main-event billing and tested himself against the division's best, establishing himself as a legitimate ranked contender.

His ceiling was defined in a main event against Song Yadong, who stopped him late in a fight Simon had been competitive in, and subsequent losses to hot contenders like Mario Bautista. Still, Simon remains a tough, battle-tested gatekeeper whose wrestling, pace and pressure guarantee a hard night for anyone at 135.