Joseph Jonathan Riggs (born September 23, 1982) is an American professional bare-knuckle boxer and former mixed martial artist who was most recently signed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.

Riggs MMA career ended in disgrace, failing a drug test that overturned a win to a no contest vs George Sullivan.

He followed in the footsteps of his hero, Randy Couture, and became an All-American twice, at Glendale Community College (Arizona), where he studied to get a Criminal Justice degree.

Riggs made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2001 and compiled a record of 13–3 with one no contest before being signed by the WEC.

After his impressive victory over Gonzalez the WEC gave him a shot at the vacant Middleweight Title against the undefeated Rob Kimmons.

Riggs put on a very impressive performance by stopping Kimmons early in the 1st round, earning him the WEC world title, which he held for the next 2 years.

Despite his efforts, Riggs could not mount a significant challenge; Hughes took him down and submitted him with a kimura from half-guard just minutes into the first round of the fight.

Following his loss to Hughes, Riggs rebounded to win against future longtime Strikeforce Welterweight Champion, Nick Diaz via decision at UFC 57.

[4] However, he was denied licensure by the California State Athletic Commission after disclosing his recent use of prescription medication during the licensing process.

Riggs broke his hand throwing the first punch of the bout, but managed to rally in the second round, breaking Stewart's nose in the process.

[5] Riggs next fought on the Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields card from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO on June 6, 2009, against Phil "The New York Badass" Baroni in a three-round welterweight bout that won him the interim Strike Force Welter Weight title and that was broadcast live on the Showtime cable network.

In a performance that featured his versatile standup game, including several flying knees, Riggs won a unanimous decision over Baroni.

Three months after his knockout loss to Baker at Bellator 43, In a rematch from their bout in 2004 Riggs fought The Ultimate Fighter 3 winner and fellow UFC veteran Kendall Grove.

[9] In his first fight to get into the house, Riggs defeated UK fighter Rob Mills via heel hook submission in the first round and subsequently chose to join Greg Jackson's team.

In the semifinal round, Riggs defeated number one seed Cole Williams in a three-round split decision victory.

[12] Riggs made his eventual return against Ben Saunders at UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic on December 13, 2014, at US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

[13] The fight ended early in the first round by TKO due to injury when Riggs hurt his neck on a take down and tapped out shortly thereafter.

[18] However, Riggs pulled out of the fight in late July, citing an injury, and was replaced by promotional newcomer Oluwale Bamgbose.

[22] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round due a series of knees by Camozzi, which broke the right forearm of Riggs.

[24] In his first bout post his second UFC release, Riggs achieved a catchweight victory over Cody McKenzie in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada.

The fighter bounced back with a win over Dan Yates on January 4, 2019, before their most recent fight against George Sullivan was overturned due to a positive test for PEDs.

Riggs recently started competing in Bare Knuckle Boxing matches under the UK based BKB promotion.