In 2023, he burst onto the radar by winning the national Open MMA Championship in his weight class. He is also a standout in the popular Ghetto Fight series — a grassroots MMA/Pankration competition held in various Latvian cities. Hauberts claimed the Ghetto Fight Pankration 68 kg title, defeating a seasoned rival.
Though he has yet to make his professional debut (his Tapology record is 0–0 as a pro), he has had a few semi-pro matches. One such fight was at FREON: Ghetto Fight 2024, where he went up against a more experienced fighter, and while he narrowly lost a decision in a one-round Pancrase rules bout.
Coaches say Ričards learns from every fight and improves dramatically each time he steps into the cage. At just 18 years old, he’s already sparring with Latvia’s top lightweight pros and holding his own. His “career highlights” are perhaps best measured in accolades: multiple Best Young Fighter awards in local tournaments and a reputation as the top prospect out of MMA Jūrmala, a gym known for producing champions. If he continues on this trajectory, it’s widely expected that Hauberts will turn professional soon — and carry high expectations when he does.
But perhaps the most significant recognition comes from within: Latvia’s MMA federation has earmarked Hauberts for their national team to compete in future European Championships. If he continues to shine, those international amateur tournaments will be his springboard to global recognition. Seasoned observers, such as his mentor Daņiks Vesņenoks, see him as a fighter who could, in a few years, be representing Latvia in organizations like Cage Warriors or even the UFC. The consensus is that Ričards Hauberts has all the ingredients to put his name — and Latvian MMA — on the world map.
