Brandon Girtz

Last updated
Brandon Girtz
Born (1985-03-06) March 6, 1985 (age 39)
Forest Lake, Minnesota, United States
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
Division Lightweight
Featherweight
Reach67 in (170 cm)
Fighting out of Denver, Colorado, United States
TeamGenesis Training Center
Grudge Training Center (2014 -2016)
Minnesota Martial Arts Academy
Northway Martial Arts
TrainerJake Ramos
Trevor Wittman
WrestlingNCAA Division II Wrestling
Years active2008–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total26
Wins16
By knockout3
By submission8
By decision5
Losses10
By knockout3
By submission2
By decision5
Other information
University Minnesota State University
Notable school(s) Forest Lake Area High School
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Brandon Girtz (born March 6, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist and bare knuckle boxer. A professional competitor since 2008, Girtz has fought in Bellator and King of the Cage.

Contents

Background

Girtz was born and raised in Forest Lake, Minnesota. Girtz competed hockey until his sophomore year of high school, when he began competing in wrestling, having been persuaded by the school's head coach. However, Girtz did not find a wealth of success during his high school career, qualifying for the state tournament only once during his senior year and losing his first match. Girtz then attended Minnesota State University, where he continued wrestling as a walk-on. At Minnesota State, however, Girtz excelled, receiving NCAA Division II All-American honors. [1]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Girtz started his professional career in 2008. He fought mainly for local promotions such as Brutaal Fight Night and Cage Fighting Xtreme.

With a record of eight victories and only two losses against UFC veterans Alvin Robinson and Eric Wisely respectively, Girtz signed with Bellator. [2]

Bellator MMA

Girtz made his promotional debut against Michel Quinones on November 9, 2012, at Bellator 80. He won via unanimous decision (29-28, 29–28, 29–28). [3]

Girtz was expected to face Treston Thomison on June 19, 2013, at Bellator 96. However, Thomison was replaced by Derek Campos due to undisclosed reasons. [4] He lost via unanimous decision. [5]

Girtz faced Poppies Martinez on October 4, 2013, at Bellator 102. He won via submission due to an armbar early in the first round. [6]

Just two weeks after his last fight, Girtz replaced Cole Williams against Mike Estus on October 18, 2013, at Bellator 104. [7] Once again he won via submission due to an armbar in the first round. [8]

Girtz was expected to rematch Derek Campos in the quarterfinal match of Bellator season ten lightweight tournament on March 21, 2014, at Bellator 113. [9] However, his opponent was changed and he faced Derek Anderson. He lost the fight via knockout due to a knee in the second round.

Girtz faced Benny Madrid at Bellator 126 on September 26, 2014. [10] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Girtz faced Melvin Guillard at Bellator 141 on August 28, 2015. [11] Girtz won the fight via split decision.

Girtz finally rematched Derek Campos at Bellator 146 on November 20, 2015. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Girtz faced Adam Piccolotti at Bellator 165 on November 19, 2016. He lost the bout by unanimous decision.

Girtz moved up in weight to face Fernando Gonzalez at Bellator 174 on March 3, 2017. He lost via unanimous decision. [12]

Girtz faced Derek Campos in a third fight at Bellator 181 on July 14, 2017. He lost the rubber match by TKO via doctor stoppage at the end of the second round due to cut on Girtz's forehead caused by a Campos knee. [13]

Girtz was supposed to face UFC veteran Jon Tuck at Bellator 227 but Girtz was forced to pull out due to injury. [14]

Girtz next faced Myles Jury at Bellator 239. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Girtz faced Henry Corrales at Bellator 250. He lost the fight via split decision. [15]

On April 19, 2021, it was announced that Girtz was released by Bellator. [16]

Bare knuckle boxing

Girtz made his BKFC debut at BKFC 31 on October 15, 2022 against UFC veteran Jake Lindsey. Girtz was defeated from a doctor stoppage due to a cut in the second round.

Girtz returned at BKFC 41 on April 29, 2023 against Christian Torres. Girtz won via first-round TKO.

Girtz fought again at BKFC 67 against UFC veteran Cameron Van Camp on October 25, 2024. Girtz lost a back-and-forth fight via split decision.

Championships and accomplishments

Amateur wrestling

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
26 matches16 wins10 losses
By knockout33
By submission82
By decision55
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss16–10 Henry Corrales Decision (split) Bellator 250 October 28, 202035:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United StatesFeatherweight debut.
Loss16–9 Myles Jury Decision (unanimous) Bellator 239 February 21, 202035:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win16–8 Saad Awad Decision (unanimous) Bellator 219 March 29, 201935:00 Temecula, California, United States
Loss15–8 Michael Chandler Technical Submission (arm triangle choke) Bellator 197 April 13, 201814:00 St. Charles, Missouri, United States
Win15–7Luka JelčićKO (punches) Bellator 190 December 9, 201711:57 Florence, Italy
Loss14–7 Derek Campos TKO (doctor stoppage) Bellator 181 July 14, 201725:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Loss14–6 Fernando Gonzalez Decision (unanimous) Bellator 174 March 3, 201735:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United StatesCatchweight (174 lbs) bout.
Loss14–5 Adam Piccolotti Decision (unanimous) Bellator 165 November 19, 201635:00 San Jose, California, United States
Win14–4 Derek Campos KO (punches) Bellator 146 November 20, 201510:37 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win13–4 Melvin Guillard Decision (split) Bellator 141 August 28, 201535:00 Temecula, California, United States
Win12–4Benny MadridTKO (punches) Bellator 126 September 26, 201410:57 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss11–4 Derek Anderson KO (knee) Bellator 113 March 21, 201420:23 Mulvane, Kansas, United States
Win11–3Mike EstusSubmission (armbar) Bellator 104 October 18, 201314:25 Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United StatesCatchweight (160 lbs) bout; both fighters missed weight. [20]
Win10–3 Poppies Martinez Submission (armbar) Bellator 102 October 4, 201311:20 Visalia, California, United States
Loss9–3 Derek Campos Decision (unanimous) Bellator 96 June 19, 201335:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United StatesCatchweight (158 lbs) bout; Campos missed weight. [21]
Win9–2Michel QuiñonesDecision (unanimous) Bellator 80 November 9, 201235:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Loss8–2 Eric Wisely TKO (arm injury)Driller Promotions / SEG: Downtown Showdown 1November 26, 201124:26 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United StatesCatchweight (150 lbs) bout. [22]
Win8–1Mike PlazolaSubmission (rear-naked choke)Seconds Out / Vivid MMA: Showdown at the Sheraton 3May 14, 201110:43 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win7–1Bobby FerrierSubmission (keylock) KOTC: Mainstream October 29, 201022:02 Morton, Minnesota, United States
Win6–1Bobby FerrierSubmissionFight Fest 3July 31, 201012:45 Somerset, Wisconsin, United States
Loss5–1 Alvin Robinson Submission (rear-naked choke)Cage Fighting XtremeMay 15, 201021:37 Red Lake, Minnesota, United States
Win5–0 Drew Dober Decision (unanimous)VFC 29: The RisingNovember 13, 200935:00 Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
Win4–0Dan MerthDecision (unanimous)Brutaal Fight Night: This Brutaal's For YouNovember 6, 200835:00 Maplewood, Minnesota, United States
Win3–0Bruce JohnsonSubmission (rear-naked choke)Brutaal Fight NightNovember 6, 200812:00 Maplewood, Minnesota, United States
Win2–0Robbie KrieselSubmission (guillotine choke)Brutaal Fight NightJune 27, 200820:30 Elko, Minnesota, United States
Win1–0Sam KeigleySubmission (neck crank)Brutaal Fight NightApril 25, 200810:38 Shakopee, Minnesota, United States

Bare-knuckle boxing record

Professional record breakdown
2 matches1 win1 loss
By knockout11
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win1–1Christian TorresKO BKFC 41 April 29, 202311:10 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Loss0–1 Jake Lindsey TKO (doctor stoppage) BKFC 31 October 15, 202222:00 Broomfield, Colorado, United States

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendall Grove</span> American mixed martial arts fighter

Kendall Grove is an American mixed martial artist who is currently signed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2003, he has also competed for the Bellator MMA, UFC, KSW, ProElite, King of the Cage, and was the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 3 on Spike TV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melvin Guillard</span> American mixed martial arts fighter

Melvin Paul Guillard, Jr. is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division. Guillard most notably competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Bellator MMA and World Series of Fighting. He debuted in the company on The Ultimate Fighter 2 television series, losing to Josh Burkman by decision in the first Welterweight elimination bout.

Benjamin Saunders, is an American mixed martial artist who currently fights in the Welterweight division. He was a featured fighter on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra, fighting on Team Serra. A professional competitor since 2004, Saunders has formerly competed in the UFC and Bellator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Alvarez</span> American mixed martial artist

Edward "Eddie" Alvarez is an American professional mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer who most recently competed in the Welterweight division of BKFC. He also formerly competed in the UFC and Bellator MMA, and also One FC winning world titles in each of the first two: the UFC Lightweight Championship once and the Bellator Lightweight World Championship twice. Alvarez was the first Lightweight champion in Bellator MMA. He has also competed for the Japanese DREAM promotion, where he fought in their inaugural Lightweight Grand Prix. Alvarez also fought once for ProElite's EliteXC.

John Salter is an American retired mixed martial artist, he competed in the Middleweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2007, he has also competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Strikeforce, King of the Cage, and the Aggression Fighting Championship (AFC).

Joey Beltran is an American bare-knuckle fighter and mixed martial artist. A professional mixed martial artist since 2007, he has competed for the UFC, Bellator, Strikeforce, and King of the Cage. He also competed in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship where he was the former BKFC Heavyweight Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Richman</span> American mixed martial arts fighter

Michael Richman is an American mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer currently competing with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, where he is the current BKFC Light Heavyweight Champion. A professional competitor in mixed martial arts since 2008, Richman has competed for Bellator MMA, the Lightweight division of the Legacy Fighting Alliance, and is also 2-0 as a professional boxer.

Rick Hawn is a former Olympic judoka and professional mixed martial artist. A professional MMA fighter from 2009 to 2015, Hawn most notably competed for Bellator MMA, where he won the Bellator Season 6 Lightweight Tournament and the Bellator Season 9 Welterweight Tournament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Chandler</span> American mixed martial artist (born 1986)

Michael Chandler Jr. is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Chandler previously competed for Bellator MMA from 2010 through 2020 where he became a three-time Bellator Lightweight Champion and won the Bellator Season Four Lightweight Tournament. As of October 22, 2024, he is #7 in the UFC lightweight rankings.

Roberto "Robbie" Andres Peralta is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Featherweight division. A professional competitor since 2006, he has competed for the UFC, the World Series of Fighting, Strikeforce, and Bellator.

Dakota Galen Cochrane is an American mixed martial artist who fights in the Lightweight and Welterweight divisions. He has competed for Bellator MMA, Resurrection Fighting Alliance, Legacy Fighting Championship, Titan Fighting Championships, and Legacy Fighting Alliance. Cochrane is currently competing as a bare-knuckle boxer in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). He has victories over former UFC fighters Johny Hendricks and Chris Leben.

Justin Ray Lawrence is an American former professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional MMA competitor since 2010, Lawrence has also formerly competed for the UFC, Strikeforce, the RFA, and was a competitor on FX's The Ultimate Fighter: Live.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bec Rawlings</span> Australian mixed martial artist

Bec Rawlings is an Australian mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer, who currently competes in the flyweight division.

A.J. Matthews is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division. A professional competitor since 2007, he has also competed for Bellator MMA, Strikeforce, RIZIN, and King of the Cage.

Daniel Mason-Straus, is an American former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Featherweight division. He previously competed in Bellator MMA, where he is the former two-time Bellator Featherweight Champion. A professional competitor since 2009, Straus has also formerly competed for Shark Fights.

Francisco Derek Campos is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division. A professional competitor since 2009, Campos has competed for Bellator MMA, Shark Fights and King of the Cage, and is the former King of the Cage Light Welterweight Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Bessette</span> American mixed martial artist

Matthew James Bessette is a retired American mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 2007, he has also competed for Bellator and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Emanuel J. Brooks is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Middleweight division. A professional since 2010, he has fought in Bellator MMA.

Fernando Esparza Gonzalez is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division. A professional competitor since 2003, Gonzalez has also competed for the WEC, King of the Cage, Bellator MMA, Absolute Championship Akhmat, and Strikeforce. Also a successful competitor in Muay Thai, Gonzalez is the former WBC National Muay Thai Cruiserweight Champion.

References

  1. ↑ Rueda, Jim. "Girtz becomes key cog in MSU wrestling machine".
  2. ↑ Ben Pherson (October 31, 2012). "Asplund, Richman both return to Bellator". MNMMAnews.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  3. ↑ Brian Knapp (November 9, 2012). "Joe Warren rebounds at Bellator 80; Volkov, Martinez advance to tournament finals". Sherdog.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  4. ↑ Staff (June 18, 2013). "Bellator 96: King Mo vs Petruzelli – fight card on Spike TV". MMAmadman.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  5. ↑ Staff (June 20, 2013). "Bellator 96 results: 'King Mo' Lawal devastates, 'Babalu' Sobral retires". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  6. ↑ Brian Knapp (October 4, 2013). "Knee strikes propel UFC veteran Cheick Kongo past Mark Godbeer at Bellator 102". Sherdog.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  7. ↑ Staff (October 16, 2013). "Bellator 104: Hawn vs Weedman 2 – fight card on Spike TV". MMAmadman.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  8. ↑ Brian Knapp (October 18, 2013). "Rick Hawn, Ron Keslar advance to season 9 welterweight final at Bellator 104". Sherdog.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  9. ↑ Mike Whitman (January 16, 2014). "Bellator 113 gets Vegh-Newton title unification bout, lightweight tourney quarterfinals". Sherdog.com. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Bellator 126 fight card finalized for Sept. 26 in Phoenix on Spike TV". mmamania.com. September 9, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Bellator 141: Guillard vs. Girtz - live results, play by play, discussion". 28 August 2015.
  12. ↑ Staff (March 3, 2017). "Bellator 174 results: Julia Budd wins featherweight title vs. Marloes Coenen, who retires". mmajunkie.com.
  13. ↑ John Morgan (July 14, 2017). "Bellator 181 results: Derek Campos scores trilogy win over Brandon Girtz in blood-soaked instant classic". mmajunkie.com.
  14. ↑ Blaine Henry (February 17, 2020). "Brandon Girtz: The Warrior's Spirit". Fight-Library.com.
  15. ↑ Jay Anderson (October 29, 2020). "Bellator 250 Results: Henry Corrales' Leg Kicks Carry Him Past Brandon Girtz". Cagesidepress.
  16. ↑ "Bellator parts ways with nine fighters, including Roger Huerta, Brandon Girtz, and more". MMA Junkie. 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  17. ↑ "NCAA II 2007" (PDF). Wrestlingstats.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  18. ↑ "2006 Reno Tournament of Champions: College Tournament results". Tech-fall.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  19. ↑ "MMA Junkie's 'Fight of the Month' for March: A barnburner brawl in Bellator". mmajunkie.com. April 4, 2019.
  20. ↑ Thomas Myers (October 17, 2013). "Bellator 104 weigh-in results for 'Weedman vs Hawn' from Cedar Rapids". MMAmania.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  21. ↑ Staff (June 19, 2013). "Bellator 96 weigh-in results: two fighters miss marks in Oklahoma (updated)". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  22. ↑ Nick Caron (November 30, 2011). "Minnesota MMA: TUF hopeful Brandon Girtz broke arm, not spirit vs. Eric Wisely". Bleacherreport.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.