MMA fighter who gained fame for subduing fan at Lions game faces 15 years in prison

Richard Bastuba, 41, pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit second-degree home invasion and receiving and concealing stolen property between $1,000 and $20,000 late last year, according to Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office officials.

Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge David Swartz sentenced Bastuba, a Mixed Martial Arts fighter known as “Righteous Rick,” to prison on Thursday, officials said.

According to deputies, Bastuba was involved in a home invasion reported to the sheriff’s office in September 2011. The man told deputies his house had been broken into several times during the previous months, with valuable comic books being stolen.

A long investigation eventually resulted in Bastuba’s arrest, along with two juveniles. A report from WXYZ indicated Bastuba was arrested at an Ann Arbor Biggby location after he attempted to sell the comic books to undercover deputies.

Bastuba was made famous by WRIF radio personalities Drew and Mike in 2009 after he got involved in a fight at a Detroit Lions game. According to reports, a man grabbed Bastuba’s friend’s hair and Bastuba put him in a chokehold to subdue him. Drew and Mike eventually found a picture of Bastuba putting the man in a chokehold and had him on the air.

Bastuba began fighting in Mixed Martial Arts fights starting with an event at The Palace of Auburn Hills in November 2009.