UFC Fighter Mike Rio Wins Award

Mike 'The Wolverine' Rio who has been wrestling since middle school was nominated for Florida's Favorite UFC Fighter of the Year and with the help of his friends, family and everyone he took the award home!!

Rio, who I had the pleasure to meet a couple of years ago, won the Florida's Favorite UFC Fighter of the Year award this weekend at the 2013 Florida MMA Awards.

Earlier that day he was asked by UFC President, Dana White to fight in Chicago at the United Center on Saturday, January 25th. Being thrilled of the news, things got better. During the ceremony, not only did he win his own award but he was also given the honor of presenting the "Woman of the Year" award to his own mother, Annette Rodriguez for all of her charity work along with the general support to her son. Annette, extremely surprised for this award thanked mostly her sons, Mike, Pancho, Steven, David and husband Steve who she loves very much.

Rio is known to be a strong advocate of Autism awareness. His Mike 'The Wolverine' Rio wristbands are sold and all proceedings are donated to Autism Speaks and because of those efforts he has become the South Florida Spokesman for the organization.

Congratulations to him and his mother on their awards and the best of luck to him on his upcoming fight!! Will definitely keep you guys updated on it!