Back in 2006, Mixed Martial Arts competition was only an off season hobby for Southern Oregon University wrestler Ricky Story, a way to stay motivated to train hard when not wrestling. But this hobby soon turned into a calling and with his submission upset over Brian Foster in an absolutely closely fought war at UFC 103 (and which included netting $130,000 in bonuses from his first UFC win), the "Horror" Story's new calling has truly started to pay off.

Ricky Story is used to being the bad guy that not's supposed to win. He played the role well in his amateur career while going 5-0. Ricky defeated guys bigger, and guys that everyone around him was saying he wouldn't beat. Yet, even after getting a couple wins in MMA, Story stayed focused on the goal he had set in front of him. At the time, Story set out to fix the mistakes he felt he made in not becoming a State Champion in High School wrestling with the goal of becoming a National champion in college.

Story started out at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma but when the wrestling program was cancelled, he decided to transfer to Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon and to join the National Guard at the same time. Story went 0-17 his first year in college, and his goal seemed a nearly unobtainable dream. However, "when your back's against the wall, you just go out there and perform" said Story. In 2006, Story turned his college wrestling career around and it culminated in his taking 2nd at nationals. Not quite what he set out to do, but Ricky couldn't complain about being the 2nd best in the nation.

It was a week before graduating from Southern Oregon (with a Bachelors in Health Education and a Minor in Military Science) that Story got a call from Brave Legion (formerly Brave Heart) owner and head coach Pat White about trying out for the his fight team. White had learned about Story from Dave Hagen, a prominent coach, referee, judge and all around MMA guy on the scene in the Northwest and UFC. Hagen also just happened to be the Combative Instructor for the National Guard, a course Story "Tooled" through when enlisted. Story answered the call and when White saw the heart that Story displayed in sparring live with his now teammate and fellow UFC fighter Mike Pierce, he asked if Ricky would move from Southern Oregon to Gresham, Oregon to pursue a full-time fight career. Once again Ricky Story was left with life changing choices... Military or MMA Fighter? Become a career officer and have the chance to wrestle for the Army, or become a broke fighter with the goal of making it to the UFC? Story chose the latter and resigned after a year and eight months as a 2nd lieutenant in the National Guard.

Ricky explained in his reasoning for choosing MMA over the military. "My last amateur fight was in May of 2006. It was in June when I got the call (from Pat White), and it was still fresh in my mind... how it felt, winning. So I was like I gotta do this. This is awesome!"

Story made the move and transition into full time fighting by going 1-3 in 2007 and racking up medical bills after incurring a sidelining toe injury right off the bat. Not a good start. But yet again Ricky faced these hard times by displaying signs of greatness, going on a 6 fight win streak in 2008. This included defeating some tough opponents like TUF contestant Brandon Melendez, and current UFC fighter Jake Ellenberger. Story's reward for beating the best he could find was having all 5 of his already confirmed opponents in upcoming fights cancel after his Melendez win. The reason: lack of proper compensation to combat a now feared "Horror" Story.

Bills were starting to pile up for Ricky Story, due to lack of fights, and his spirits were low due to not making the cut for the UFC's Ultimate Fighter show. But soon after, Story got the call to possibly replace Karo Parisyan in the UFC. He flew out and signed his contract, but yet didn't get the chance to fight right away.

"That was really exciting. But then again, it still made things really difficult because I didn't know when my next fight was gonna be. I signed in January, but I didn't fight till June for my first fight in the UFC." 

Unfortunately, Ricky lost this debut fight in a decision to John Hathaway at UFC 99. He drew Brian Foster for UFC 103 in September of 2009 and again Story had his back pressed against the wall. He was being bombarded by debt collectors daily, and talk of "make it or break it" from the UFC brass traveling down to his agent Robert Roveta and head trainer Pat White made this truly a dire do-or-die situation.

Story stepped up in a big way by engaging in an absolute war with Foster. The first round was a complete back and forth slugfest. Story was rocked in the first round from an uppercut so bad he said he suffered a "Flash knockout" and dropped. Story then circled off to the left to regain composure.

"He hit me with that uppercut, and I didn't see it coming, and he disappeared then reappeared in a different location than what I remembered him in before. And I was like Man! He must have hit me pretty hard," Story said when asked by commentator Joe Rogan on how hard Brian Foster's punches were.

Story kept his composure and stayed in the fight, eventually sinking an arm-triangle from full guard at 1:09 of the second round to earn his first UFC victory. The fight was so good it earned the number 7 spot for the UFC's best fights in 2009 as chosen by UFC fans. It also earned Story Submission of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses, both $65,000, that helped the former National Guard 2nd Lieutenant pay some overdue bills. Before the fight Story was struggling to buy food and keep his bills in order.

"So 2009 had been pretty rough before I got my last fight, but like I said 'back's against the wall' and got this fight and got the bonuses and now it kind of makes it all worth it."

Now with some financial breathing room, it's time for his next challenge January 11th at UFC Fight Night 20 in welterweight Jesse Lennox from Miletech Fighting System. Lennox is 1-0 in the UFC coming off a controversial TKO win against Danillo Villefort due to cut at UFC 101. He trains out of Bettendorf, Iowa with the infamous Pat Miletech & company and is currently riding a four fight win streak, with only 1 loss to his 15 win record.

Story commented on Lennox: "Watching his fight I think he's an exciting fighter to watch, you know. I watched a couple of his fights and was just like, this is the kinda of guy I'd love to fight. Every time I watch it I just get more and more excited, because he has the same kind of aggressive style as I do. He gets hit, he attacks. So it's gonna be a pretty fun battle inside the Octagon."

"I don't know how good he is at wrestling. I really don't care" Story stated. "My game plan is to not get taken down and controlled. I can't let that happen. And to keep it on my feet. I want the Knockout!"

Story's newest goal is to become a world champion in MMA. He was top earner at UFC 103 which also landed him the spot for 7th best fight of 2009 by the UFC fans. His image as the bad guy is slowly diminishing, and being transformed into the image of the good guy and possible future champion.

"When people come across as cocky, you immediately think bad guy. But as I perform and I do well, that cockiness starts to seem more like confidence. And I think that's the main transition that people are starting to see."

Ricky "The Horror" Story will take on Jesse Lennox in the undercard of UFC Fight Night 20 on Monday, January 11, 2010. The main card will be shown live on Spike TV.  Learn more about the event at UFC.com or check your local listings.

A special thanks from Ricky Story goes out to Pat White, the whole Brave Legion Team, Mike Pierce, Rudy Garza, Lee Jenkins, and all his students for all the training and support. NW Fightscene would like to thank Rick for all his time in putting together this story. Ricky Story is online at myspace.com/rickystory.