Brandon Bender

Last updated
Brandon Bender
BornBrandon Logan Bender [1]
(1987-02-05) February 5, 1987 (age 36) [1]
Residence Rancho Cucamonga, California, United States
Nationality American
Height5 ft 1 in (155 cm)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)
Division Bantamweight (2012-present)
Featherweight (2006-2012)
Fighting out of Rancho Cucamonga, California, United States
TeamAguirre Fighting Systems/ Millennia_MMA_Gym
RankWhite belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active2015–present

Brandon Logan Bender (born February 5, 1987) is an Italian-American [2] mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight and Featherweight divisions. A professional MMA competitor since 2006, Bender has fought in multiple promotions, including King of the Cage and Bellator Fighting Championships

Contents

Mixed martial arts career

FRUIT

Bender has trained in various martial arts. He began training in Tae Kwon Do from the age of seven. Bender also wrestled in high school and later, achieved a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. [3] As of 2012, Bender trains at Aguirre Fighting Systems [4] and Millennia MMA, [1] alongside the likes of Charlie Valencia, Georgi Karakhanyan and Darrell Montague. [2] Bender also spends time working at the UFC gym. [3]

Early career

Bender began his professional career in the King of the Cage promotion in August 2006, claiming a unanimous decision victory after two rounds. [4] He followed this up with a further win in December 2007, which was via triangle choke. Bender then joined the U.S. Navy Reserves, temporarily postponing his MMA career. [3] Soon after, Bender changed his mind and wanted to return to MMA. He returned in March 2009 and won his next five fights via first round submission. [4]

In March 2011, Bender then signed with Bellator Fighting Championships to face Josh Herrick at Bellator 35. Bender was taken down early on in the fight, but was able to stand back up and land a takedown of his own. Bender was able to secure a guillotine choke at 3:42 of the first round. [5]

In February 2012, Bender fought Marlin Weiker at SCC 4. Throughout the fight, Bender attempted several guillotine chokes and other submission techniques, but was unable to finish the fight with any of them. After multiple attempts, Bender seemed to fatigue and appeared to be trailing on the scorecards according to some in attendance. [6] Midway through the final round, however, Bender was finally able to complete a submission attempt, as he caught Weiker in a triangle choke. [6]

In late-2011/early-2012, Bender started to gain more attention, as he was regarded as a promising prospect in the Featherweight division. He was named the #3 prospect in the division by Bloody Elbow [2] and was featured on Sherdog.com's prospect watch feature. [3] Despite this, in mid-2012, Bender announced plans to drop to the Bantamweight division. He signed with Tachi Palace Fights to fight at TPF 14 at bantamweight against Rolando Velasco. [7] However, for unknown reasons, the bout never took place. [7]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
14 matches12 wins2 losses
By knockout01
By submission110
By decision11
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss12–2Joshua JonesDecision (unanimous) Bellator 238 January 25, 202035:00 Inglewood, California, United StatesCatchweight (160 lb) bout.
Win12–1Mario NavarroSubmission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 116 April 11, 201424:15 Temecula, California, United States
Loss11–1 Travis Marx TKO (knee to the body & punches) Bellator 100 September 20, 201324:28 Phoenix, Arizona, United StatesBellator Season 9 Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win11–0Jared PapazianSubmission (rear-naked choke)National Fight Alliance: Valley Invasion 3May 11, 201312:01 Woodland Hills, California, United States Bantamweight debut.
Win10–0Geovanni AraujoSubmission (arm-triangle choke)Gladiator Challenge: Star WarsApril 29, 201211:10 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win9–0Marlin WeikelSubmission (triangle choke)Superior Cage Combat 4: Grove vs. SilvaFebruary 6, 201232:30 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win8–0Josh HerrickSubmission (guillotine choke) Bellator 35 March 5, 201113:42 Lemoore, California, United States
Win7–0Mike PaloSubmission (triangle choke)MEZ Sports: Pandemonium 3November 19, 201012:11 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win6–0Isaac GutierrezSubmission (guillotine choke)BAMMA USA: Badbeat 1September 24, 201011:50 Commerce, California, United States
Win5–0Jesse NewellSubmission (rear-naked choke)CA Fight Syndicate: Throwdown at the Showdown 3January 16, 201011:16 Santa Barbara, California, United States
Win4–0Tony LopezSubmission (rear-naked choke)Fight Circuit MMA: VictoriousJune 7, 200911:36 Adelanto, California, United States
Win3–0Ryan RotherSubmission (rear-naked choke)Colosseo Championship FightingMarch 6, 200910:25 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win2–0Hugo SandovalSubmission (triangle choke) KOTC: Final Chapter December 2, 200711:37 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win1–0Brian WhiteakerDecision (unanimous) KOTC: Rapid Fire August 4, 200625:00 San Jacinto, California, United States

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Brandon Bender". tapology.com. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 "2012 World MMA Featherweight Scouting Report: #3 - Brandon Bender". bloodyelbow.com. December 27, 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Sherdog Prospect Watch: Brandon Bender". sherdog.com. April 27, 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 "Brandon Bender". sherdog.com. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Controversy creeps as 170 tourney kicks off Bellator season 4". sherdog.com. March 6, 2011.
  6. 1 2 "Jay Silva chokes out Kendall Grove; John Gunderson taps Justin Buchholz". sherdog.com. February 17, 2012.
  7. 1 2 "TPF 14: Rolando Velasco vs. Brandon Bender". tapology.com. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
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