Ricco Rodriguez Checked Into “Celebrity Rehab”

Former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez, who lost a unanimous decision to Ben Rothwall at the 2007 IFL Team Championship Final last month, will be a cast member on “Celebrity Rehab,” which debuts Jan. 10 on VH1.

VH1 will run eight one-hour episodes of the weekly reality series. Dr. Drew Pinsky, best known as a host on “Loveline,” is an addiction specialist and oversees the celebrity’s rehabilitation.
In addition to Rodriguez, the show features Tom Sizemore, Chyna Doll, Brigitte Nielsen, Andy Dick, former American idol contestant Jessica Sierra and other fairly well known personalities.

After fighting for a handful of organizations, including PRIDE Fighting Championships, Rodriguez was signed to a UFC contract and defeated Andrei Arlovski in his Octagon debut in 2001. After four consecutive victories, he defeated then-champ Randy Couture at UFC 39 to win UFC’s heavyweight title. However, he lost his next three fights and left the organization soon after.

After a November 2006 “Beatdown in Bakersfield” victory over Imani Lee, Rodriguez tested positive for marijuana and cocaine and was suspended six months by the California State Athletic Commission.
Despite the recent IFL loss, Rodriguez (26-7 MMA, 5-2 UFC), 30, has won five of his past six fights and recently stated that he’s clean and has returned to training full-time.