Anthony Birchak

Last updated

Anthony Birchak
Born (1986-05-16) May 16, 1986 (age 38)
Tucson, Arizona, United States
Other namesEl Toro
Residence Tucson, Arizona
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) [1]
Weight145.1 lb (65.8 kg; 10.36 st)
Division Bantamweight
Featherweight
Reach69.0 in (175 cm) [1]
Fighting out of Tucson, Arizona, United States
TeamTorotech MMA
Luta Elite Mma
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Casey Halstead [2]
Wrestling NCAA Division II Wrestling [3]
Years active2009–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total24
Wins16
By knockout5
By submission8
By decision3
Losses8
By knockout2
By submission3
By decision3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Anthony Birchak (born May 16, 1986) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division. A professional competitor since 2009. he formerly competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Legacy Fighting Alliance, Bellator, Rizin and the MFC.

Contents

Background

Birchak is Mexican American [4] and was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. Birchak was a highly decorated amateur wrestler at Sahuarita High School. [5] Birchak attended Pima Community College and Grand Canyon University where he majored in Visual Communications. His wife Mercedes White acts as his manager. Together they have launched a mixed martial arts school TOROTech MMA. [6] [7]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Birchak made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2009 competing primarily in regional promotions across the Southwestern United States, before making an appearance at Bellator 41 where he earned a submission victory over Tyler Bialecki. After seven more fights and two titles later on the regional and Canadian circuit, where he compiled a record of 11–1, Birchak signed with the UFC in the summer of 2014. [8]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Birchak was expected to make his promotional debut against Joe Soto on August 30, 2014, at UFC 177. [9] However, on the day of the weigh-ins, event headliner Renan Barão had to be admitted to the hospital as a result of his attempts to cut weight. Soto was tabbed as his replacement against T.J. Dillashaw. Subsequently, Birchak was removed from the card entirely. [10]

Birchak faced Ian Entwistle on December 13, 2014, at UFC on Fox 13. [11] Birchak lost the bout via submission in the first round. [12]

A rescheduled bout with Joe Soto took place on June 6, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 68. [13] Birchak won the fight via knockout in the first round. [14]

Birchak next faced Thomas Almeida on November 7, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 77. [15] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round. [16]

Birchak next faced Dileno Lopes on July 7, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 90. [17] He won the fight via split decision. [18]

Despite winning his last fight, Birchak never received a new contract offer from the UFC and was released from the promotion in February 2017. [19]

Post-UFC career

Rizin FF

Birchak quickly signed with Rizin Fighting Federation after his UFC release. He made his debut against Tatsuya Kawajiri on April 16, 2017, at Rizin FF 5. [20] He lost the bout via unanimous decision. [21]

Birchak next faced Takafumi Otsuka in the first round of the Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix on July 30, 2017, at Rizin 6. He lost the fight via split decision. [22]

Combate Americas

Birchak faced Adam Martinez at Combate Americas Mexico vs. USA on October 13, 2018. [23] He won the fight via TKO only 51 seconds into the fight. [24]

LFA

Birchak was expected to headline LFA 72 against Nohelin Hernandez on July 26, 2019. [25] However, Hernandez stepped in to replace Sean O'Malley at UFC 239 and was replaced by Raphael Montini de Lima. [26] Birchak won the fight in the first round via submission.

Combate Americas

After the victory in the LFA, Birchak was expected to face Erik Aguilar Radleim at Combate Americas' event on October 11, 2019. However, Radleim pulled out due to visa issues and was replaced by Jose Luis Calvo. [27]

Return to UFC

Birchak faced Gustavo Lopez, replacing Felipe Colares, on November 7, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira. [28] He lost the fight via a submission in round one. [29]

Birchak was scheduled to face Johnny Eduardo on March 20, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 21. [30] However, on March 15 Eduardo withdrew from the bout due to visa issues. It is unclear if a replacement would be sought by the promotion. [31]

Birchak faced off against Tony Gravely, replacing Nate Maness on April 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 22. [32] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round. [33]

After the loss he was released by the UFC. [34]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
22 matches14 wins8 losses
By knockout52
By submission63
By decision33
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss16–8 Tony Gravely TKO (punch) UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum April 17, 202121:31 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss16–7 Gustavo Lopez Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira November 7, 202012:43 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win16–6Erik RadleimSubmission (rear-naked choke)Combate Americas: TucsonOct 11, 201911:40 Tucson, Arizona, United States
Win15–6Raphael Montini de LimaSubmission (rear-naked choke) LFA 72 July 26, 201911:34 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win14–6Adam MartinezTKO (punches)Combate 26: Mexico vs. USAOctober 13, 201810:51 Tucson, Arizona, United States
Loss13–6Jae Hoon MoonDecision (split) Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round December 29, 2017315:00 Saitama, JapanRizin 2017 Bantamweight Grand Prix Reserve bout.
Loss13–5 Takafumi Otsuka Decision (split) Rizin Bantamweight World Grand Prix 2017: Opening Round - Part 1 July 30, 201725:00 Saitama, JapanRizin 2017 Bantamweight Grand Prix Round of 16 bout.
Loss13–4 Tatsuya Kawajiri Decision (unanimous) Rizin 2017 in Yokohama: Sakura April 16, 2017215:00 Yokohama, JapanFeatherweight bout.
Win13–3Dileno LopesDecision (split) UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Alvarez July 7, 201635:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss12–3 Thomas Almeida KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson 3 November 7, 201514:22 São Paulo, Brazil
Win12–2 Joe Soto KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Boetsch vs. Henderson June 6, 201511:37 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Loss11–2 Ian Entwistle Submission (heel hook) UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic December 13, 201411:04 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win11–1Tito JonesSubmission (rear-naked choke) MFC 38 October 4, 201323:30 Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaWon the MFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win10–1 Ryan Benoit Decision (unanimous) MFC 37 May 10, 201335:00 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win9–1Matt LeyvaTKO (punches)Jackson's MMA Series 10December 1, 201211:22 Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Win8–1 Roman Salazar TKO (punches)Coalition of Combat: Clash of the TitansJune 2, 201231:38 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win7–1John GreenTKO (punches)Xtreme Combat Promotions: Burlington BeatdownApril 28, 201222:14 Winooski, Vermont, United States
Loss6–1Jorge ClaySubmission (rear-naked choke)Amazon Forest Combat 1September 14, 201111:29 Manaus, Brazil
Win6–0Carlos OrtegaDecision (unanimous)Rage in the Cage 153July 16, 201133:00 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win5–0Tyler BialeckiSubmission (D'Arce choke) Bellator 41 April 16, 201114:06 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win4–0Austin ApollosSubmission (arm-triangle choke)Rage in the Cage 150March 19, 201112:36 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win3–0Matt BetzoldSubmission (triangle choke)World Fighting FederationOctober 16, 201021:12 Tucson, Arizona, United States
Win2–0Gio ArvizuSubmission (armbar)World Fighting FederationApril 24, 201011:30 Tucson, Arizona, United States
Win1–0Michael PoeSubmission (choke)Ringside Ultimo FightingJuly 4, 200911:18 Nogales, Arizona, United States

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References

  1. 1 2 "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Boetsch vs. Henderson". UFC.com. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  2. ↑ Anthony Birchak [@abirchakMMA] (June 5, 2019). "I was promoted to 10th Planet Blackbelt tonight by my mentor, coach, sensei @coachcasey10 and cant wait to represent 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu at the Blackbelt level!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. ↑ "Anthony Birchak - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  4. ↑ Gonzalez, Norma (October 18, 2018). "Tucson native Anthony Birchak will bring Bushido code to Saturday's MMA fight". Tucson.com . Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  5. ↑ Sahuarita High School#cite note-3
  6. ↑ "TOROTech Mixed Martial Arts". www.facebook.com. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Home - Anthony Birchak". Anthony Birchak. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  8. ↑ Zane Simon (August 14, 2014). "Welcome to the UFC, Felder, Birchak, & Soto". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  9. ↑ Thomas Gerbasi (August 12, 2014). "Soto-Birchak completes UFC 177 card". UFC.com. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Renan Barao out of UFC 177, Joe Soto meets T.J. Dillashaw for title". MMAjunkie.com. August 29, 2014.
  11. ↑ Jacob Cooper (September 23, 2014). "Ian Entwistle faces Anthony Birchak at UFC on FOX 13". fansided.com. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  12. ↑ Steven Marrocco (December 13, 2014). "UFC on FOX 13 results: Ian Entwistle leglock halts Anthony Birchak in 64 seconds". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  13. ↑ Marc Raimondi (March 18, 2015). "Joe Soto returns to meet Anthony Birchak at UFC Fight Night in New Orleans". mmafighting.com. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  14. ↑ Damon Martin (June 6, 2015). "Anthony Birchak face plants Joe Soto with crushing first-round KO". foxsports.com. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  15. ↑ Marc Raimondi (September 9, 2015). "Thomas Almeida, Anthony Birchak to meet in Sao Paulo". mmafighting.com. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
  16. ↑ Steven Marrocco (November 7, 2015). "UFC Fight Night 77 results: Thomas Almeida stays perfect, flattens Anthony Birchak". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  17. ↑ Tristen Critchfield (April 29, 2016). "Anthony Birchak vs. Dileno Lopes added to UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas on July 7". sherdog.com. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  18. ↑ Brent Brookhouse (July 7, 2016). "UFC Fight Night 90 results: Anthony Birchak edges Dileno Lopes by split decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  19. ↑ Lee, Joseph (April 15, 2017). "Anthony Birchak Talks About His Exit From the UFC". 411mania.com. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  20. ↑ Segura, Danny (March 15, 2017). "Anthony Birchak vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri, more added to Rizin FF event in April". mmafighting.com. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  21. ↑ Hashimoto, Norihiro (April 22, 2017). "新たな風景を見せるRIZINのリングで". number.bunshun.jp. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  22. ↑ "大塚選手が勝利いたしました！RIZIN バンタム級トーナメント。". tgriptokyo.com. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  23. ↑ Jesse Holland (September 18, 2018). "Erik Perez vs John Castaneda headlines Combate Americas 'Mexico vs USA' on Oct. 13 in Tucson". mmamania.com.
  24. ↑ Winn, Daniel (October 14, 2018). "Tucson's Birchak TKO's opponent in less than a minute on national TV". kvoa.com. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  25. ↑ Nolan King (June 18, 2019). "UFC veteran Anthony Birchak, top prospect Nohelin Hernandez headline LFA 72 in Phoenix". mmajunkie.com.
  26. ↑ Hammond, Mick (July 23, 2019). "Anthony Birchak Says He Brings Too Much To The Table For His LFA 72 Late Replacement". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  27. ↑ Tristen Critchfield (October 2, 2019). "Jose Alday vs. Joby Sanchez to Headline Combate Americas Card in Tucson on Oct. 11". sherdog.com.
  28. ↑ DNA, MMA (November 4, 2020). "Anthony Birchak keert terug in de UFC, treft Gustavo Lopez aanstaande zaterdag in Las Vegas". MMA DNA. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  29. ↑ Evanoff, Josh (November 7, 2020). "UFC Vegas 13 Results: Gustavo Lopez Finishes Anthony Birchak". Cageside Press. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  30. ↑ Nolan King and Farah Hannoun (February 18, 2021). "Johnny Eduardo returns from 33-month layoff, fights Anthony Birchak at March 20 UFC event". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  31. ↑ Guilherme Cruz and Mike Heck (March 15, 2021). "Johnny Eduardo out of UFC Vegas 22 fight with Anthony Birchak - MMA Fighting". mmafighting.com. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  32. ↑ DNA, MMA (March 26, 2021). "Anthony Birchak vervangt Nate Maness tegen Tony Gravely tijdens UFC evenement op 17 april". MMA DNA. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  33. ↑ Behunin, Alex (April 17, 2021). "UFC Vegas 24 Results: Tony Gravely Scores Second-Round Knockout of Anthony Birchak". Cageside Press. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  34. ↑ Hiergesell, Dan (May 8, 2021). "Sanders Leads Pack Of Recent UFC Cuts". MMAmania.com. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
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