Joe Riggs fighting just to Fight

by Alton Dunham on Jul 20, 2008 at 4:00 pm ET - MMAjunkie.com

For some fighters, rebounding from a loss can prove to be a difficult proposition. For Joe Riggs (27-10 MMA), just getting a fight to put himself on that comeback trail has proved to be an even bigger challenge.

The Arizona native, who has seen his last five scheduled bouts fall apart, discussed his frustration about not being able to "provide for his family" while a recent in-studio guest of TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com), the official radio partner of MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

Riggs most recent challenge was being denied licensure for a scheduled bout on the undercard of "Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson" after admitting to taking the prescription pain medication Tramadol, which the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) classifies as a blood thinner.

"(My manager) Ken Pavia told me to disclose all the medications I had taken," Riggs said. "I told [the CSAC] I took [Tramadol] a few days prior, so the chances it would be in my urine was about five percent. I wanted to be honest. They still said no.

"I [begged] (Commissioner) Armando Garcia. 'Please, I have a family. Please.'"

A two-time high school wrestling All-American, Riggs feels he was unfairly denied a license in a power play by Garcia.

"I would have a rebuttal for the things [Garcia] would say, but he would just continue to say a stern 'no,'" Riggs explained. "I was in tears. I think he just like to throw his weight around a little bit."

According to Riggs, his inactivity due to previous canceled appearances and the decision to deny his license has taken a huge financial toll on himself and his family.

"I mean, it's in the $100,000 range, those fights," Riggs said.

"Diesel" is now cleared to fight in California, and he plans to get back on track at the next Strikeforce event. First, however, Riggs plans on taking a warm-up fight in his home state.

"I am fighting in my hometown in Phoenix, and then my next big fight will be at the Playboy Mansion (in late September)," Riggs said.

Riggs said he believes he will again be matched up with Luke Stewart, whom he was slated to fight at "Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson" before he was pulled from the card.

"I hope [Strikeforce] will give it to me," Riggs said. "It's not necessarily an easy fight but definitely a good fight for me."

With all the ups and down Riggs has seen this year, the heavy-handed fighter is anxious to get back to work and earn his paycheck. And according to Riggs, we shouldn't expect to see him doing anything else to put food on his family's table.

"[Fighting] is the only thing I know how to do."

In a very candid, colorful interview, Riggs also discussed some amazing recollections of previous fights outside the cage, as well the possibility of fighting in multiple weight classes. To hear the full interview, download Wednesday's edition of TAGG Radio, available for free in the TAGG Radio archives.