Matthew Riddle

Matthew Frederick Riddle, born on January 14, 1986, is a prominent American mixed martial artist and professional wrestler currently affiliated with WWE’s NXT brand. Riddle embarked on his MMA journey in 2008, gaining significant attention through his participation in SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter 7.

Hailing from Allentown, Pennsylvania, Riddle grew up in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he completed his high school education at Saratoga Springs High School in 2004. He then pursued higher education at East Stroudsburg University, where he competed on the wrestling team for two years. After the departure of his head coach led to the loss of his wrestling scholarship, Riddle transitioned to mixed martial arts.

Riddle's wrestling background is impressive; he earned accolades as a National Wrestling Champion and was crowned the New York State Wrestling Champion during his senior year. With a record of 1-0 in amateur MMA, he juggled work as a roofer while training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu during the evenings, often utilizing his apartment as a training space. He even relied on BJ Penn's book, "Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge," to refine his skills.

In The Ultimate Fighter, Riddle made a sensational impact by knocking out Dan Simmler in the second round, a feat praised by Dana White as one of the greatest knockouts in the show's history. His upbeat personality earned him the nickname "Chipper" during the series, where he was selected second for Team Rampage. Riddle's journey continues to inspire many within the combat sports community.