Matt Horwich

Last updated
Matt Horwich
BornMatthew Peter Horwich
(1978-02-10) February 10, 1978 (age 46)
Seattle, Washington, United States
Other namesSuave
Residence Los Angeles, California, United States
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight185.6 lb (84.2 kg; 13.26 st)
Division Middleweight
Light Heavyweight
Reach75 in (190 cm)
Fighting out of Hollywood, California, United States
Team Kings MMA
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu
RankBrown belt in 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu
Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active2003–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total56
Wins30
By knockout6
By submission21
By decision3
Losses25
By knockout2
By submission4
By decision19
Draws1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Matthew Peter Horwich (born October 2, 1978) was an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Middleweight division. A professional competitor since 2003, Horwich has fought in BAMMA, Strikeforce, Bellator, the UFC, and for the Seattle Tiger Sharks of the IFL where he became the IFL Middleweight Champion in 2007.

Contents

Background

Horwich was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. He watched many Bruce Lee films growing up and entered Dojo Kai Korean traditional martial arts classes. Growing up, Horwich had little interest in school due to low opinions of his teachers. Unmotivated, lost, and without a concrete path to embark on, he began to experiment with drugs and alcohol. He then garnered interest for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) at the age of 17 and saved up enough money to become a mentee of Royce Gracie. Sometime after his mentorship, Horwich was jailed for thirty days for fighting and breaking windows. After his release, he relocated to Seattle, Washington with the intention of starting a band. While there, he performed odd jobs and lived in squatter homes as he tried to decide between becoming either a musician or a martial artist. During his time in Seattle, Horwich experienced a religious conversion as a self-described "spiritual" Christian and rededicated himself to building a career in martial arts. [1]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Horwich developed his skills as a submission specialist training with Team Quest as well as BJJ black belts B.J. Penn and Eddie Bravo. [1] He has also trained extensively with accomplished Kickboxer and Muay Thai Fighter Chris Reilly. [2] [3]

Before signing with the International Fight League's Portland Wolfpack, Matt Horwich earned a record of 15-6-1 fighting in small promotions. After joining the IFL, he faced Benji Radach in the IFL's World Grand Prix Finals to determine the first middleweight champion. Horwich defeated the Radach by knockout in the second round, becoming the IFL's first ever middleweight champion. [1] `

Matt Horwich later signed with the UFC after the IFL shut down and made his debut at UFC 90. facing fellow former IFL middleweight champion Dan Miller. Despite a near second round finish for Horwich late in the second round, Miller controlled most of the first and third rounds and earned a unanimous decision. [4] Horwich made his second UFC appearance at UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann against Ricardo Almeida which resulted in a second decision loss and his release from the company.

After his release, Horwich debuted with Bellator and Aggression MMA where he earned split-decision victory over Jason Lambert in his Aggression debut. This rematch took place in Alberta, Canada.

Horwich fought Tom 'Kong' Watson at BAMMA3 as a late replacement for Alex Reid on May 15, 2010, and lost. It was his first fight in Britain. [5]

Horwich beat Thales Leites, former UFC Middleweight contender, in an upset victory on August 14.

On September 9, 2010, Horwich fought Bellator season two semifinalist Eric Schambari, losing via split decision. [6]

Horwich defeated Jake Rosholt by technical knockout in the third round at Xtreme Fight Night – Rosholt vs. Horwich in November 2010.

At Shark Fights 14: Horwich vs. Villefort on March 11, 2011, Horwich faced UFC and WEC veteran Danillo Villefort, losing by unanimous decision after being controlled both on the feet and the floor for the majority of the fight. [7]

Horwich faced a rematch with Jake Rosholt at Shark Fights 17: Horwich vs. Rosholt 2 on July 15, 2011, losing by unanimous decision. [8]

Horwich fought Piotr Strus at KSW 25 on December 7, 2013. Though the fan favorite coming into the fight, Horwich lost by majority decision. [9]

Personal life

Matt Horwich was married the day after his first attempted defense of the IFL Middleweight Championship. [10] Horwich is often described as a hippie who frequently quotes Bible passages and personal aphorisms in conversation. [1] His hobbies include playing guitar and writing music and poetry, mostly themed around his interest in quantum mechanics. [10]

In September 2022, Matt was featured in underground mini-comic issue #12 "MULTIVERSE" by Spencer Wile.

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
56 matches30 wins25 losses
By knockout62
By submission214
By decision319
Draws1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win30–25–1Piotr SiwkowskiTKO (elbows)PLMMA 73: CiechanówMay 20, 201711:20 Ciechanów, Poland
Win29–25–1David RamirezSubmission (rear-naked choke)PLMMA 72: ŁomiankiMarch 4, 20172N/A Łomianki, Poland
Loss28–25–1 Marcin Naruszczka Decision (unanimous)PLMMA 70: ChampionshipsNovember 4, 201655:00 Warsaw, Poland
Loss28–24–1 Vyacheslav Vasilevsky Decision (unanimous)Fightspirit Championship 6: Horwich vs. VasilevskySeptember 9, 201635:00 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Loss28–23–1Jae Young KimKO (punch)Top FC 9: Battle of IncheonOctober 24, 201510:31 Incheon, South KoreaFor the Top FC Middleweight Championship.
Loss28–22–1Piotr StrusDecision (majority)KSW 25: Khalidov vs. SakuraiDecember 7, 201335:00 Wrocław, Poland
Win28–21–1 Terry Martin TKO (punches)KSW 21December 1, 201224:08 Warsaw, PolandCatchweight bout of 191 lbs.
Win27–21–1Antoni ChmielewskiTKO (punches) KSW XIX May 12, 201232:19 Łódź, Poland
Loss26–21–1 Thales Leites Submission (arm-triangle choke)Amazon Forest Combat 2March 31, 201224:39 Manaus, BrazilCatchweight bout of 194 lbs.
Loss26–20–1 Michał Materla Decision (unanimous) KSW 17: Revenge November 26, 201133:00 Łódź, Poland KSW Middleweight Championship eliminator; fight went to three-minute OT round.
Loss26–19–1 Jake Rosholt Decision (unanimous) Shark Fights 17: Horwich vs. Rosholt 2 July 15, 201135:00 Frisco, Texas, United States
Loss26–18–1 Danillo Villefort Decision (unanimous) Shark Fights 14: Horwich vs. Villefort March 11, 201135:00 Lubbock, Texas, United States
Win26–17–1 Jake Rosholt TKO (punches)Xtreme Fight Night: Rosholt vs. HorwichNovember 12, 201032:56 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Loss25–17–1 Eric Schambari Decision (split) Bellator 28 September 9, 201035:00 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Win25–16–1 Thales Leites Submission (rear-naked choke)Powerhouse World Promotions: War on the MainlandAugust 14, 201040:44 Irvine, California, United StatesWon PWP Middleweight Championship.
Loss24–16–1 Tom Watson Decision (unanimous) BAMMA 3 May 15, 201055:00 Birmingham, EnglandFor the inaugural BAMMA World Middleweight Championship.
Loss24–15–1 Jason MacDonald Decision (unanimous)LGIO MMA 1: MacDonald vs HorwichApril 23, 201035:00 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win24–14–1 Jason Lambert Decision (split) AMMA 1: First Blood October 24, 200935:00 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Loss23–14–1 Bryan Baker Decision (unanimous) Bellator 10 June 5, 200935:00 Ontario, California, United States
Loss23–13–1 Ricardo Almeida Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann April 1, 200935:00 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Loss23–12–1 Dan Miller Decision (unanimous) UFC 90 October 25, 200835:00 Rosemont, Illinois, United States
Win23–11–1Joey GuelDecision (unanimous)IFL: Mohegan SunMay 16, 200834:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss22–11–1Ryan McGivernDecision(unanimous)IFL: VegasFebruary 29, 200854:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesLost IFL Middleweight Championship.
Win22–10–1 Benji Radach KO (punch)IFL: World Grand Prix FinalsDecember 29, 200721:58 Uncasville, Connecticut, United StatesWon the inaugural IFL Middleweight Champion.
Win21–10–1Brian FosterSubmission (armbar)IFL: World Grand Prix SemifinalsNovember 3, 200713:59 Chicago, Illinois, United StatesCatchweight bout of 188 lbs.
Win20–10–1 Kazuhiro Hamanaka KO (head kick)IFL: EverettJune 1, 200712:07 Everett, Washington, United States
Loss19–10–1Jamal PattersonSubmission (guillotine choke)IFL: ConnecticutApril 13, 200710:37 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win19–9–1Brent BeauparlantSubmission (kimura)IFL: AtlantaFebruary 23, 200720:28 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Loss18–9–1Ryan McGivernDecision (unanimous)IFL: Championship FinalDecember 29, 200634:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win18–8–1 Mike Pyle Submission (rear-naked choke)IFL: World Championship SemifinalsNovember 2, 200621:02 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win17–8–1 Bristol Marunde Decision (unanimous)IFL: PortlandSeptember 9, 200634:00 Portland, Oregon, United States
Loss16–8–1Jamal PattersonSubmission (rear-naked choke)IFL: Legends Championship 2006April 29, 200612:57 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss16–7–1 Roan Carneiro Decision (split)WCFC: No Guts No GloryMarch 18, 200635:00 Manchester, England
Win16–6–1Petras MarkeviciusSubmission (rear naked choke)WCFC: No Guts No GloryMarch 18, 200614:59 Manchester, England
Loss15–6–1 Brian Ebersole Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie March 10, 200635:00 San Jose, California, United States
Win15–5–1Rob WinceSubmission (armbar)ACF: GenesisFebruary 24, 200611:46 Denver, Colorado, United States
Win14–5–1John CronkSubmission (rear naked choke)SF 13: Rocky Mountain SportfightOctober 15, 200523:28 Denver, Colorado, United States
Win13–5–1 Vernon White Submission (rear-naked choke)SF 12: BreakoutSeptember 16, 200522:38 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win12–5–1 Krzysztof Soszynski Submission (rear-naked choke)Freedom Fight: Canada vs USAJuly 9, 200520:52 Hull, Quebec, Canada
Loss11-5-1 Travis Wiuff Decision (unanimous)Extreme Challenge 62June 18, 200535:00 Medina, Minnesota, United States
Win11–4–1Brian WieberSubmission (rear-naked choke)XFC: Dome of Destruction 2April 30, 200512:37 Tacoma, Washington, United States
Loss10–4–1 Trevor Prangley Decision (unanimous)SF 9: RespectMarch 26, 200535:00 Gresham, Oregon, United States
Win10–3–1Chris KieverSubmission (triangle choke)Kickdown Classic 16February 19, 200520:40 Denver, Colorado, United States
Loss9–3–1 Jason Lambert TKO (submission to punches)WEC 12October 21, 200423:28 Lemoore, California, United States
Win9–2–1 Jason MacDonald Submission (armbar)Extreme Fighting Challenge 3October 16, 20041N/A Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
Win8–2–1Billy MilesSubmission (rear-naked choke)SF 6: Battleground in RenoSeptember 23, 200420:59 Reno, Nevada, United States
Win7–2–1Antony ReaSubmission (rear-naked choke)APEX: GenesisSeptember 5, 200421:13 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win6–2–1Paul PurcellSubmission (rear-naked choke)SF 5: StadiumAugust 28, 20041N/A Gresham, Oregon, United States
Win5–2–1Mikko RupponenSubmission (triangle choke)PFA: Pride and FuryJune 3, 200430:50 Worley, Idaho, United States
Win4–2–1Chris KieverSubmission (triangle choke)Cage Fighting Championship 1May 1, 200411:47 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Loss3–2–1 Glover Teixeira Decision (unanimous)SF 3: DomeApril 17, 200435:00 Gresham, Oregon, United States
Win3–1–1Horace SpencerSubmission (rear-naked choke)SF 2: On the MoveMarch 19, 200414:45 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win2–1–1 Joshua Burkman Submission (triangle choke)SF 1: RevolutionFebruary 21, 200422:11 Portland, Oregon, United States
Loss1–1–1Rich GuerinSubmission (armbar)DesertBrawl 9November 8, 200311:54 Bend, Oregon, United States
Draw1–0–1Shane DavisDrawUltimate Ring Challenge 6October 25, 200333:00 Longview, Washington, United States
Win1–0 Cory Devela Submission (rear-naked choke)PPKA: Ultimate Fight Night 2September 6, 200321:24 Pasco, Washington, United States

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 McCray, Brad (June 27, 2007). "Horwich dreaming big". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 11, 2009.
  2. Archived December 21, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Interview with Matt Horwich - MMAUniverse.com | Interviews | Interview with Matt Horwich". MMAUniverse.com. 2008-02-28. Archived from the original on 2013-01-28. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  4. "UFC 90 'Silva vs. Cote' Play-by-Play". Sherdog.com. October 25, 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2009.
  5. "Welcome to BAMMA - Home". Bamma.net. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  6. Ratliff, Ben (2010-09-10). "Bellator 28 results from New Orleans on Sept. 9". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  7. "Shark Fights 14 results: Villefort decisions Horwich, LaRosa taps Damm". MMAjunkie.com. 2011-03-12. Archived from the original on 2012-01-03. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  8. "Shark Fights 17 Results: Jake Rosholt Wins, Working Towards UFC Return". MMAWeekly.com. 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  9. "Piotr Strus vs. Matt Horwich". tapology.com. December 7, 2013.
  10. 1 2 Barnwell, Bill (February 21, 2008). "Matt Horwich Interview". IGN.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2009.
New championship 1st IFL Middleweight Champion
December 29, 2007 - February 29, 2008
Succeeded by
Ryan McGivern