Brandon Michael Mathew Thatch[2] (born July 11, 1985) is an American professional mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Brandon Thatch
Born (1985-07-11) July 11, 1985 (age 39)
Denver, Colorado, United States
Other namesRukus
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1]
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
DivisionWelterweight
Reach74+12 in (189 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofDenver, Colorado, United States
TeamElevation Fight Team
Years active2007–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total16
Wins11
By knockout7
By submission4
Losses5
By submission4
By decision1
Amateur record
Total3
Wins3
By knockout1
By submission2
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Thatch was adopted at age five by his mother's partner, Clarence Thatch, a former karate champion and MMA specialist. Thatch's grandfather was also a professional boxer. Thatch began training in karate at the age of three,[3] and fought in his first kickboxing bout at age 17. He later transitioned into a career in mixed martial arts.[4]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Thatch started his amateur MMA career on March 31, 2007, against Jesse Brown, which he won via second round submission. Thatch went undefeated as amateur in 2007 with a 3–0 record. He made his pro debut in June 2008 against Mike Crisman at Ring of Fire 32. Thatch won the fight via TKO 38 seconds into the fight.

Thatch made his Strikeforce debut against Brandon Magana at Strikeforce: At The Mansion II. He lost the fight via split decision. He would bounce back with an 18-second head kick knockout win over Michael Arrant at Ring of Fire 33. In Thatch's next fight, he took on Danny Davis Jr, winning via submission in the first round.

Thatchthen faced Chris Holland at Ring of Fire 40, winning via KO in 19 seconds. Next for Thatch was a bout with Chidi Njokuani at Ring of Fire 41, which he won by TKO in the first minute. In his next fight, Thatch took on Patrick Vallee at Instinct MMA 2 on December 2, 2011, winning via TKO in 15 seconds. Thatch was named Bloody Elbow's #3 welterweight prospect in their annual scouting report.[4] Four months later, Thatch fought Jory Erickson at Instinct MMA 3. He won the fight by KO in 18 seconds. Thatch next faced Martin Grandmont at Instinct MMA 4 on June 29, 2012. He won the fight via submission in the first round.

In Thatch's next fight, he headlined Resurrection Fighting Alliance 7 against Mike Rhodes. Thatch won the bout via submission in the first round. Before and after the fight, Thatch believed that he was going to get a call from the UFC.[5]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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On May 8, 2013, Thatch signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC.[6]

Thatch faced Justin Edwards on August 28, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 27.[7] He won the fight via TKO in the first round. The win earned him his first Knockout of the Night bonus award.[8]

In his second UFC fight, Thatch faced Paulo Thiago at UFC Fight Night 32 on November 9, 2013.[9] He won the fight via TKO in the first round, forcing Thiago to submit after landing a knee to the liver.[10] With the win, Thatch extended his first round finish streak to ten.

Thatch was expected to face Jordan Mein on August 23, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 49, replacing an injured Thiago Alves.[11] Subsequently, Thatch pulled out of the bout with Mein, citing a toe injury.[12]

Thatch was expected to face Stephen Thompson on February 14, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 60.[13] However, Thompson pulled out of the fight on January 30, citing a rib injury.[14] Subsequently, Thatch faced former UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson at the event.[15] Thatch lost the back and forth fight via submission in the fourth round.[16] Their performance earned both participants Fight of the Night honors.[17]

Thatch was expected to face John Howard on July 11, 2015, at UFC 189.[18] However, on June 23, Thatch was pulled from that bout in favor of a fight with Gunnar Nelson, as his scheduled opponent, John Hathaway, was forced out with an injury.[19] Thatch lost the fight by submission in the first round after getting knocked down by Nelson.[20]

Thatch next faced Siyar Bahadurzada on March 5, 2016, at UFC 196.[21] He lost the fight via submission in the third round.[22]

Thatch was expected to face Erick Silva on September 24, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 95.[23] However, Thatch pulled out of the fight with an undisclosed injury and was subsequently replaced by Luan Chagas.[24]

Thatch was expected to face Sabah Homasi on December 30, 2016, at UFC 207.[25] However, Homasi pulled out of the fight, citing injury, and was subsequently replaced by promotional newcomer Niko Price.[26] Thatch lost the fight by submission in the first round and was subsequently released from the promotion.[27]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
16 matches 11 wins 5 losses
By knockout 8 0
By submission 3 4
By decision 0 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 11–5 Niko Price Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 207 December 30, 2016 1 4:30 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 11–4 Siyar Bahadurzada Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 196 March 5, 2016 3 4:11 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 11–3 Gunnar Nelson Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 189 July 11, 2015 1 2:54 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 11–2 Benson Henderson Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch February 14, 2015 4 3:58 Broomfield, Colorado, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 11–1 Paulo Thiago TKO (submission to knee to the body) UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson November 9, 2013 1 2:10 Goiânia, Brazil
Win 10–1 Justin Edwards TKO (knees and punches) UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2 August 28, 2013 1 1:23 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Knockout of the Night.
Win 9–1 Mike Rhodes Submission (rear-naked choke) RFA 7 March 22, 2013 1 2:22 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win 8–1 Martin Grandmont Submission (rear-naked choke) Instinct MMA: Instinct Fighting 4 June 29, 2012 1 1:55 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 7–1 Jory Erickson KO (knee) Instinct MMA: Instinct Fighting 3 March 31, 2012 1 0:18 Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
Win 6–1 Patrick Vallee TKO (punches) Instinct MMA: Instinct Fighting 2 December 2, 2011 1 0:15 Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Win 5–1 Chidi Njokuani TKO (punches) Ring of Fire 41: Bragging Rights August 20, 2011 1 0:53 Broomfield, Colorado, United States Catchweight (173 lbs) bout; Njokuani missed weight.
Win 4–1 Chris Holland KO (punches) Ring of Fire 40: Backlash April 16, 2011 1 0:19 Broomfield, Colorado, United States Won the ROF Young Guns Welterweight Championship.
Win 3–1 Danny Davis Jr. Submission (rear-naked choke) Ring of Fire 39: Summer Brawl 2 August 27, 2010 1 4:12 Denver, Colorado, United States
Win 2–1 Michael Arrant KO (head kick) Ring of Fire 33: Adrenaline January 10, 2009 1 0:18 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Loss 1–1 Brandon Magana Decision (split) Strikeforce: At The Mansion II September 20, 2008 3 3:00 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 1–0 Mike Crisman TKO (knees) Ring of Fire 32: Respect June 13, 2008 1 0:38 Broomfield, Colorado, United States

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Fight Card - UFC 189 Mendes vs. McGregor". UFC.com. Archived from the original on July 20, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
  2. ^ "Time to Cause a Rukus - Exclusive Interview With Brandon "Rukus" Thatch". ruckusapparel.com. 2011-03-31. Archived from the original on 2016-08-29. Retrieved 2016-08-13.
  3. ^ Nick Groke (2015-02-12). "Brandon Thatch coming of age with MMA, as bout vs. Benson Henderson on tap". Denver Post.
  4. ^ a b Leland Rolling (2012-01-07). "2012 World MMA Welterweight Scouting Report: #3 – Brandon Thatch". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2013-08-26.
  5. ^ Matt Erickson (2013-04-02). "RFA 7 winner Brandon Thatch believes UFC shot is just around corner". MMA Junkie.
  6. ^ Staff (2013-05-08). "UFC signs Colorado-based welterweight Brandon Thatch to multi-fight deal". mmajunkie.com.
  7. ^ Staff (2013-06-05). "Justin Edwards-Brandon Thatch booked for UFC on FOX Sports 1 2 in Indianapolis". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2013-06-08. Retrieved 2013-06-05.
  8. ^ Staff (2013-08-28). "UFC Fight Night 27 bonuses: Thatch, Cummings, Condit, Kampmann earn $50K". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2013-08-31. Retrieved 2013-08-28.
  9. ^ Guilherme Cruz. "Thatch vs. Thiago, Sicilia vs. Castro added to UFN 32". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2013-09-14.
  10. ^ Luke Thomas (2013-11-09). "UFC Fight Night 32 results: Brandon Thatch stops Paulo Thiago with brutal liver shot". MMA Fighting.
  11. ^ Steven Marrocco (2014-07-02). "Knee injury scratches Thiago Alves from UFC Fight Night 49, Brandon Thatch now faces Jordan Mein". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  12. ^ Staff (2014-08-02). "Brandon Thatch withdraws from Jordan Mein fight". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-08-02.
  13. ^ Chuck Mindenhall (2014-11-13). "Brandon Thatch set to square off with Stephen Thompson in Colorado". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2014-11-13.
  14. ^ Staff (2015-01-30). "Stephen Thompson Out of UFC Fight Night 60 Main Event, Brandon Thatch Awaits a Replacement". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
  15. ^ John Morgan (2015-02-01). "Benson Henderson vs. Brandon Thatch set as new UFC Fight Night 60 main event". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-02-01.
  16. ^ Thomas Myers (2015-02-15). "UFC Fight Night 60 results: Ben Henderson survives Brandon Thatch beating, scores sensational rear-naked choke submission". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2015-02-15.
  17. ^ Staff (2015-02-15). "UFC Fight Night 60 bonuses: Neil Magny got his first $50,000. Who joined him?". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-02-15.
  18. ^ Mike Bohn (2015-04-01). "Brandon Thatch vs. John Howard added to UFC 189 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-04-01.
  19. ^ Matt Erickson (2015-06-23). "Brandon Thatch meets Gunnar Nelson at UFC 189, John Howard now gets Cathal Pendred". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  20. ^ Brent Brookhouse (2015-07-11). "UFC 189 results: Gunnar Nelson drops, then chokes out Brandon Thatch in first". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
  21. ^ Staff (2016-02-12). "'Medication' clearance issue moves Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Brandon Thatch to UFC 196". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
  22. ^ Brent Brookhouse (2016-03-05). "UFC 196 results: Siyar Bahadurzada finishes overmatched Brandon Thatch with choke". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
  23. ^ Lucas Rezende (2016-08-02). "Erick Silva meets Brandon Thatch at UFC Fight Night 95". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2016-08-02.
  24. ^ Staff (2016-08-13). "Injuries force several changes to UFC Fight Night 95 in Brasilia". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-08-13.
  25. ^ Adam Hill (2016-10-17). "Welterweight bout added to UFC 207 card". reviewjournal.com. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
  26. ^ Staff (2016-12-12). "Sabah Homasi out, Brandon Thatch meets newcomer Niko Price at UFC 207". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-12-12.
  27. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2016-12-30). "UFC 207 results: Niko Price taps Brandon Thatch with first round arm-triangle choke". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
  28. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (December 31, 2013). "Ten Best - The Newcomers of 2013". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  29. ^ Brett Okamoto (2015-07-03). "Fight of the midyear: Henderson-Thatch". ESPN.
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