[11] He began his MMA training at Freestyle Fighting Academy (FFA) in Westchester, Florida, under the tutelage of brothers Marcos and David Avellan.

[15] It was also during that time that Rio briefly fought for the former Miami Heat player Glen Rice's G-Force Fights promotion.

[16] Rio formally trained in Miami at gyms Zen Ju-Jitsu with Coach Enrico Cocco, the Health Joint with Ulises Garcia and Young Tigers with Manuel "Manolo" Lopez and Ultimate Fighter alum Alex Caceres.

[22] In the preliminary bout to reach the house, Rio faced Northern Irish fighter, Ali Maclean, and won by submission with a rear-naked choke.

After a visit from Ronda Rousey, weeks of heavy training, enduring a minor knee injury, and a scuffle with teammate Justin Lawrence, Rio's name was finally called to face Faber's British fighter Andy Ogle.

[26] That didn't deter White, however as he was so impressed by the caliber of talent on the show that he decided to sign them all to contracts, Rio included.

[27] Rio made his official UFC debut when he faced fellow TUF: Live alumnus John Cofer on December 15, 2012, at The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs.

[33] In late March 2014, Rio signed with Olympic gold medalist boxer Howard Davis Jr.'s Fight Time Promotions.

[35] In his second main event, Rio faced former Bellator fighter Frank Carrillo for the Fight Time Lightweight Championship on August 29, 2014.

[38] Rio also appeared in a music video in 2012 entitled "The Crown" by Miami hip-hop, funk and soul fusion band Dangerflow.

Rio, also born and raised in Miami, participated in many sports with his older brother, including soccer, basketball, baseball, cross country running and wrestling.

[41] After college, Rio returned home and began volunteering coaching at Christopher Columbus High School, where two of his four younger brothers attended and wrestled.

[42] In April 2015, director/producer Danny Segura put together a short documentary film entitled Scraping for a Dollar in which Rio is followed on his daily routine and his attempt to reenter the UFC.

[46] Rio is also the cousin of Gaby Sánchez of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).