Brad Riddell

Brad Riddell is a New Zealand mixed martial artist and former kickboxer who competed in the UFC's Lightweight division. Known for his aggressive striking and durable chin, he built a reputation as an exciting fighter during his tenure with the promotion. As of 2026, Riddell has transitioned into coaching, working with fighters at Bangtao MMA in Phuket, Thailand, and running an online martial arts school. He also maintains a presence at City Kickboxing in Auckland, where he has returned to train and praise the gym's mat as the best he's ever been on.

Riddell's combat sports journey began in kickboxing, where he dominated the national scene in New Zealand before making the switch to MMA. He holds notable UFC victories over fighters like Gregor Gillespie and Magomed Mustafaev, and his fighting style earned him a dedicated fan base. After a three-year layoff due to serious health issues, he announced his retirement from MMA competition in 2026, choosing to focus on teaching the next generation of fighters. His professional MMA record stands at 10 wins and 4 losses, with 5 wins by knockout. [edit]

Brad Riddell was born on September 30, 1991, in Christchurch, New Zealand, a city known for its seismic activity, which would later inspire his nickname "Quake." From a young age, he was drawn to combat sports, and he began training in kickboxing as a teenager. He quickly showed promise, and by his early twenties, he had established himself as one of the top kickboxers in New Zealand, winning multiple national titles.

Riddell's kickboxing record included bouts against elite international competition, and while he didn't always get the win, his competitive performances demonstrated his caliber. He fought to split decisions against top names, showing he could hang with the best. In 2017, he scored a knockout victory over Song Kenan, a fighter who would later compete in the UFC. That same year, he decided to transition to mixed martial arts, bringing his striking pedigree to the cage.

Before his UFC debut, Riddell also competed under the ONE Championship banner in 2018, where he was profiled as a dominant force in New Zealand kickboxing. He trained at City Kickboxing in Auckland, a gym known for producing world-class fighters, and later spent time at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand, honing his skills further. He has stated that he has been training in combat sports for over 13 years. [edit]

Riddell made his UFC debut in 2019, quickly making an impression with a unanimous decision victory over Drew Dober on September 25. He followed that with wins over Magomed Mustafaev and Gregor Gillespie, the latter coming in 2021 after a scheduled bout was scrapped due to COVID-19 protocols. His aggressive style and willingness to engage made him a fan favorite.

In 2022, Riddell faced a setback with a submission loss at UFC 281 on November 14, after which he announced he would step away from MMA. What was initially thought to be a short break turned into a three-year layoff, during which he battled serious health complications, including nearly losing his hip. After a long recovery, he declared himself ready to return in July 2025, but he was ultimately removed from the UFC roster on May 18, 2026.

Since then, Riddell has confirmed he will not fight MMA again, stating that "The CKB mat is the best in the world I've been on." He has returned to City Kickboxing and now focuses on coaching. He works with fighters at Bangtao MMA in Phuket and runs an online martial arts school, sharing his knowledge with students worldwide. His career statistics include striking accuracy of 53% and 4.71 strikes landed per minute. [edit]

Riddell is known for his exciting fighting style, characterized by aggressive striking and a willingness to stand and trade. This made him a fan favorite during his UFC tenure. Off the mats, he presents himself as a lifelong student of martial arts, emphasizing education and coaching in his online presence. His YouTube channel, titled "Brad Riddell - Student of the Fight Game," reflects this philosophy, and his social media voice is that of a mentor, offering advice and training tips to aspiring fighters.

He has no official fandom name, but his supporters appreciate his authenticity and dedication to the sport. His media features include profiles in ONE FC's "Get To Know" series and The Fight Site's "Bringing Back" feature, highlighting his kickboxing pedigree and competitive spirit. [edit]

Brad Riddell's global attention is modest compared to mainstream sports stars, but within the MMA community he is a recognizable figure, especially among fans of New Zealand combat sports and City Kickboxing. As of August 2026, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated him, but he does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings, whether the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. In other words, he is not among the most famous people on the planet, nor does he rank in any specific national or professional category that iFANN tracks. His fanbase, primarily composed of MMA enthusiasts and followers of his coaching career, has no formal name; there is no documented official or widely adopted nickname for his supporters. Instead, his audience engages with him through his educational content, such as his YouTube channel 'Brad Riddell - Student of the Fight Game,' and his online martial arts school. His social media presence, including an Instagram handle @bradquakeriddell, serves as a platform for training tips and mentorship rather than organized fan campaigns. No notable fan projects, rituals, or inside jokes are documented, reflecting his profile as a respected but not culturally dominant figure in the sport.[edit]

Riddell's nickname 'Quake' pays homage to his hometown of Christchurch, which is prone to earthquakes. He fought Drew Dober twice, once in kickboxing and once in MMA, winning the MMA bout by unanimous decision. His kickboxing record includes split-decision losses to top names, showing he was competitive at the highest level before MMA. Riddell has trained at three elite camps: City Kickboxing, Tiger Muay Thai, and Bangtao MMA. He stands 5'7\" tall according to ESPN, UFC Stats, and Tapology, though Sherdog lists him at 5'8\". He has won seven of his last ten fights and owns five KO victories and one first-round finish. His YouTube channel has approximately 39,700 subscribers and over 2.4 million views as of August 2026.

One of the most retold moments of his UFC career is his 45-second knockout loss to Jalin Turner at UFC 276 in Las Vegas. Though a defeat, the brevity of the finish made it a memorable highlight, often referenced in discussions of Turner's career. Another notable event was the cancellation of his scheduled co-main event against Gregor Gillespie in 2021 due to COVID-19 protocols, disappointing fans who anticipated the matchup. Riddell's association with Israel Adesanya and City Kickboxing adds to his lore, as does his reputation as a cerebral fighter, encapsulated in a 2019 UFC.com feature titled 'Brad Riddell Is A Different...'. His kickboxing pedigree, where he dominated the national circuit in New Zealand and Australia, remains foundational to his legend as a striker.[edit]

Details about Riddell's family are sparse, but he is married, though his wife's name and background are not publicly documented. He splits his time between New Zealand and Thailand, currently living in Phuket where he coaches at Bangtao MMA. He has not shared much about his parents or siblings, preferring to keep his personal life private. His family has been supportive of his career, but he rarely discusses them in interviews or on social media. [edit]

Riddell is associated with City Kickboxing in Auckland, training alongside notable New Zealand fighters. He has also been linked to Eugene Bareman, the gym's head coach. His UFC opponents include Drew Dober, Gregor Gillespie, and Magomed Mustafaev, among others. [edit]

Brad Riddell is married, but details about his wife are scarce, as he keeps his personal life private. There is no public information about his dating history before marriage, and he has not been linked to any high-profile relationships. As of 2026, he remains married, and there are no reports of separation or divorce. His spouse's name and the timeline of their relationship are not documented in available sources. [edit]

As of 2026, iFANN currently estimates Brad Riddell's net worth at $1 million. His earnings during his UFC career came from fight purses, win bonuses, and performance bonuses, though his total career earnings are not publicly disclosed. Since retiring from competition, his income has shifted to coaching at Bangtao MMA in Phuket, where he works with both beginners and professional fighters, and through his online martial arts school, which offers training programs to a global audience. Riddell also generates revenue from his YouTube channel, which has nearly 40,000 subscribers, and from sponsored content on social media. While his net worth is modest compared to top UFC stars, his transition into coaching has provided a stable income stream. He has not invested in major business ventures or real estate publicly, focusing instead on his passion for teaching martial arts.[edit]