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Brandon Thatch
Brandon Thatch
Brandon Thatch
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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.

Key Information

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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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Brandon Thatch

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Brandon Thatch is an American retired professional mixed martial artist and martial arts coach, best known for his tenure in the (UFC) division, where he compiled a 2-4 record highlighted by victories in his first two bouts. Born on July 11, 1985, in , , Thatch stands at 6 feet 2 inches tall with a 74-inch reach and fights from a switch stance. He began his professional MMA career in 2009, amassing a 9-1 record outside the UFC with a reputation for striking power, including eight or technical knockout wins across his 11 total professional victories. Thatch made his UFC debut on August 28, 2013, at UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2, where he defeated Justin Edwards via first-round punch, earning him immediate recognition as a rising prospect. In his follow-up fight on November 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson, he knocked out veteran with a knee in under three minutes, further solidifying his artistry. Thatch's UFC career peaked with a main event against former lightweight champion on February 14, 2015, at UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch, a bout that earned Fight of the Night honors despite his submission loss via rear-naked choke in the fourth round. Subsequent losses came against Gunnar Nelson (rear-naked choke, July 11, 2015), (arm-triangle choke, March 5, 2016), and (arm-triangle choke, December 30, 2016, at ), after which he departed the promotion without additional appearances. Overall, Thatch's professional record stands at 11 wins (eight by KO/TKO, three by submission) and five losses (four by submission, one by decision), with no fights recorded since 2016. Transitioning from competition, Thatch now serves as the owner and head coach at 3D Martial Arts 303 in , where he specializes in , elite striking, and MMA coaching for fighters and enthusiasts of all levels, emphasizing physical, mental, and emotional development. His coaching philosophy draws from his own experiences in channeling youthful energy through , aiming to build resilient individuals and skilled competitors.

Early life and training

Family background

Brandon Thatch was born on July 11, 1985, in Denver, Colorado. His early childhood was marked by significant challenges, including behavioral issues that led to expulsion from by age four, ongoing anger problems requiring medication, and growing up with an absent biological father while his single mother, Tawnyetta, struggled to manage alone. These difficulties fostered a resilience that later influenced his path in combat sports. At age five, Tawnyetta brought Thatch to a local , where she met Clarence Thatch; the two later married, and Clarence adopted Brandon, providing stability and direction. Clarence Thatch, a pioneer in , was a fourth-degree black belt in , a world champion in bare-knuckle Sabaki full-contact , and a champion who also boxed ; he founded 3D , one of the state's premier MMA training facilities, and trained numerous fighters while emphasizing over aggression. The family's fighting tradition extended to Thatch's grandfather, a boxer whose background further embedded combat sports in their heritage. Clarence Thatch passed away on May 15, 2023, from complications following a massive heart attack. This upbringing under Clarence's guidance introduced Thatch to structured training, channeling his early toughness into formal .

Martial arts beginnings

Brandon Thatch began his journey at the age of five, training in under his adoptive father, Clarence Thatch, a fourth-degree black belt and world champion, at Clarence's in Denver, Colorado. This early immersion laid the groundwork for his striking technique, with Clarence emphasizing and fundamentals in a structured environment that fostered Thatch's initial passion for combat sports. By age 17, Thatch had progressed to competitive striking, entering his first bout, which helped solidify his foundation in and power generation. This experience honed his karate-based footwork and knockout ability, drawing on the aggressive style inherited from his father's training regimen. Thatch transitioned to in 2007, compiling an undefeated amateur record of 3-0 that year. His debut came on March 31 against , whom he submitted via rear-naked choke in the second round at Battlequest 5: ; he followed with a submission (armbar) victory over on April 28 at 29; and capped the year with a second-round TKO (punches) against Doug Saiz on September 15 at 30. These bouts showcased his emerging versatility, blending striking with basic submission skills. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall with a 74-inch reach, Thatch competed in the 170-pound welterweight division during his amateur phase. His early development continued at the Elevation Fight Team in Denver, where he refined karate and kickboxing techniques alongside foundational grappling, preparing for the demands of professional competition.

Professional MMA career

Regional promotions

Brandon Thatch transitioned from a successful amateur MMA career to the professional ranks, making his debut on June 13, 2008, at 32: Respect, where he defeated Mike Crisman by TKO (knees) at 0:38 of the first round. His early professional run showcased his finishing ability, as he secured quick victories in regional promotions like (ROF), including a head against Michael Arrant at 0:18 of Round 1 on January 10, 2009, at ROF 33: Adrenaline, and a TKO (punches) over Chris Holland at 0:19 of Round 1 on April 16, 2011, at ROF 40: Backlash. However, Thatch experienced his lone pre-UFC setback on September 20, 2008, dropping a to Brandon Magana at Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion 2. Rebounding strongly, Thatch embarked on an eight-fight that highlighted his power, with five of those victories coming by KO or TKO. Notable performances in the Instinct MMA promotion included a TKO (punches) against Patrick Vallee at 0:15 of Round 1 on December 2, 2011, at Instinct Fighting 2, and a knee to Jory Erickson at 0:18 of Round 1 on March 31, 2012, at Instinct Fighting 3. He also submitted Martin Grandmont via rear-naked choke at 1:55 of Round 1 on June 29, 2012, at Instinct Fighting 4, rounding out a dominant run in Canadian regional circuits. Overall, Thatch entered the UFC with a 9-1 professional record, with six of his nine wins (67%) by or TKO, establishing him as a dangerous striker on the regional scene. Thatch's regional success culminated in May 2013 when he signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC, paving the way for his debut later that year. During this period, his training evolved significantly at the Fight Team in Denver, Colorado, where he refined his striking under coaches like Leister Bowling, emphasizing precision power shots and footwork to complement his natural finishing instinct. This preparation at helped solidify his reputation as a rising prospect capable of explosive performances against tough regional opposition.

UFC tenure

Brandon Thatch entered the in 2013 following a string of finishes in regional promotions that showcased his knockout power. Thatch made a strong impression in his UFC debut on August 28, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 27 in , where he defeated Justin Edwards via first-round TKO with knees and punches at 1:23. Less than three months later, on November 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 32 in , , Thatch secured another quick finish against , landing a knee to the body for a victory at 2:10 of the opening round. These early wins highlighted Thatch's aggressive striking style, with both bouts ending inside the first two minutes and demonstrating his ability to overwhelm opponents on the feet. Thatch's momentum stalled in 2015, beginning with a main event loss to former lightweight champion on February 14 at UFC Fight Night 60 in . Despite a competitive striking battle through three rounds, Henderson secured a rear-naked choke submission in the fourth round at 3:58. Later that year, on July 11 at in , Thatch fell to Gunnar Nelson via rear-naked choke at 2:54 of the first round after being taken down and controlled on the ground. His skid continued on March 5, 2016, at in , where submitted him with an arm-triangle choke in the third round at 4:11 following multiple takedowns. Thatch's final UFC bout came on December 30, 2016, at in , ending in a first-round arm-triangle choke submission to at 4:30. Over six UFC appearances from 2013 to 2016, Thatch compiled a 2-4 record, with both victories by and all defeats by submission. His career statistics revealed proficiency in striking, landing 2.70 significant strikes per minute at 42% accuracy, but vulnerabilities in were evident, as he absorbed 3.63 strikes per minute and defended only 50% of takedown attempts. This disparity became pronounced against opponents with strong wrestling and submission skills, exposing gaps in his ground defense despite his offensive takedown average of 1.36 per 15 minutes. Following four straight losses, Thatch was released from the UFC roster in March 2017.

Career statistics

Championships and accomplishments

Brandon Thatch's professional MMA career is highlighted by his finishing prowess, with all 11 of his victories coming via stoppage, including 8 by or TKO and 3 by submission.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

  • Knockout of the Night (1 time): Earned for his first-round TKO victory over Justin Edwards at UFC Fight Night 27 on August 28, 2013.
  • Fight of the Night (1 time): Awarded for his main event bout against at UFC Fight Night 60 on February 14, 2015.

Regional and Prospect Recognitions

Prior to entering the UFC, Thatch was recognized as an emerging talent in regional promotions like Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA), where his undefeated streak and knockout-heavy record positioned him as a top prospect. In 2013, he was ranked as the No. 20 overall MMA prospect by and included in the UFC's list of top newcomers for the year. Thatch's accomplishments were deeply influenced by his adoptive father, Clarence Thatch, a karate champion and early MMA pioneer in Colorado whose training legacy shaped Brandon's finishing ability and technical foundation.

Professional record

Brandon Thatch's professional mixed martial arts record stands at 11 wins and 5 losses as of his most recent bout in 2016.
DateOpponentResultMethodRoundTimeEventLocation
June 13, 2008Mike CrismanWinTKO (knees)10:38ROF 32: RespectDenver, Colorado, USA
September 20, 2008Brandon MaganaLossDecision (split)33:00Strikeforce: At the Playboy Mansion 2Beverly Hills, California, USA
January 10, 2009Michael ArrantWinKO (head kick)10:18ROF 33: AdrenalineDenver, Colorado, USA
August 27, 2010Danny Davis Jr.WinSubmission (rear-naked choke)14:12ROF 39: Summer Brawl 2Denver, Colorado, USA
April 16, 2011Chris HollandWinKO (punches)10:19ROF 40: BacklashDenver, Colorado, USA
August 20, 2011Chidi NjokuaniWinTKO (punches)10:53ROF 41: Bragging RightsDenver, Colorado, USA
December 2, 2011Patrick ValleeWinTKO (punches)10:15Instinct MMA: Instinct Fighting 2Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
March 31, 2012Jory EricksonWinKO (knee)10:18Instinct MMA: Instinct Fighting 3Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
June 29, 2012Martin GrandmontWinSubmission (rear-naked choke)11:55Instinct MMA: Instinct Fighting 4Montreal, Quebec, Canada
March 22, 2013Mike RhodesWinSubmission (rear-naked choke)12:22RFA 7: Thatch vs. RhodesBroomfield, Colorado, USA
August 28, 2013Justin EdwardsWinTKO (knees and punches)11:23UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
November 9, 2013Paulo ThiagoWinKO (knee to the body)12:10UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. HendersonGoiania, Goiás, Brazil
February 14, 2015Benson HendersonLossSubmission (rear-naked choke)43:58UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. ThatchBroomfield, Colorado, USA
July 11, 2015Gunnar NelsonLossSubmission (rear-naked choke)12:54UFC 189: Mendes vs. McGregorLas Vegas, Nevada, USA
March 5, 2016Siyar BahadurzadaLossSubmission (arm-triangle choke)34:11UFC 196: McGregor vs. DiazLas Vegas, Nevada, USA
December 30, 2016Niko PriceLossSubmission (arm-triangle choke)14:30UFC 207: Nunes vs. RouseyLas Vegas, Nevada, USA
Of his 11 victories, 8 came by or TKO—including examples via knee strikes and punches—and 3 by submission, such as the rear-naked choke. His 5 defeats consist of 1 by decision and 4 by submission. Thatch has been inactive since his loss to on December 30, 2016, with no professional bouts recorded in the intervening years.

References

  1. http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/638cfec7ec559d6e
  2. https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Brandon-Thatch-22298
  3. https://www.3dmartialarts303.com/brandon-thatch
  4. https://www.denverpost.com/2015/07/09/brandon-thatch-born-to-fight-but-childhood-made-him-a-ufc-rising-star/
  5. https://www.sportsnet.ca/mma/ufc/brandon-thatch-lives-up-to-the-hype-in-ufc-debut-at-ufc-fight-night-27-prelims/
  6. https://www.3dmartialarts303.com/
  7. https://www.ufc.com/news/brandon-thatch-new-finisher-arrives-ufc
  8. https://www.gofundme.com/f/clarence-thatch
  9. https://milehighsports.com/father-by-fate/
  10. https://www.denversportsrecovery.com/athletes/brandon-thatch
  11. https://combat-edge.com/fighter/brandon-thatch-1418/
  12. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/brandon-thatch-rukus
  13. http://fcfighter.com/brandon-thatch-im-going-to-fight-whomever-the-ufc-puts-in-front-of-me-and-prepare-for-that-fight-only/
  14. https://bloodyelbow.com/2013/05/10/ufc-signs-brandon-thatch-welterweight-prospect-mma-news/
  15. https://bloodyelbow.com/2017/03/15/ufc-report-roster-cuts-brandon-thatch-li-jingliang-mma-news/
  16. https://www.mmaweekly.com/news/ufc-fight-night-27-fighter-bonuses-brandon-thatch-scores-ko-of-th-night-in-debut-performance
  17. https://dev.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-Fight-Night-Bonuses-Henderson-Thatch-Magny-Borg-Earn-3650K-Awards-in-Colorado-81821
  18. https://www.mmaweekly.com/news/rfa-7-results-brandon-thatch-scores-quick-win-knocking-on-the-ufcs-door
  19. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1479904-top-25-mma-prospects-for-2013
  20. https://www.ufc.com/news/ten-best-newcomers-2013
  21. https://www.ufcstats.com/fighter-details/638cfec7ec559d6e
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