Alan Belcher

John Alan Belcher (born April 24, 1984) is an American retired mixed martial artist. He competed in the UFC's middleweight division, obtaining an overall record of 9-6 in the octagon.

Not to be confused with Allan Belcher.
Alan Belcher
Born (1984-04-24) April 24, 1984
Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States
Other namesThe Talent
NationalityAmerican
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
DivisionMiddleweight
Light Heavyweight
Reach75 in (191 cm)
StyleMuay Thai, Kickboxing, Boxing, Judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Fighting out ofBiloxi, Mississippi
TrainerDuke Roufus, Gokor Chivichyan
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[1]
1st degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do[1]
Black belt in Duke Roufus Kickboxing[1]
Black belt in Hayastan Grappling[1]
Black belt in Judo[1]
Years active2004 - 2015
Mixed martial arts record
Total26
Wins18
By knockout9
By submission7
By decision2
Losses8
By knockout2
By submission1
By decision5
Websitehttp://www.alanbelcher.net/
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Belcher was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas and began practicing karate when he was eight years old. Belcher later attended Sloan-Hendrix High School in Imboden, Arkansas where he competed in baseball and basketball before continuing his baseball career in junior college. Belcher began his amateur mixed martial arts career when he was 15 years old.[2]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Belcher made his professional debut in July 2004 against Tim Ellis in Freestyle Fighting Championship and won by TKO. His MMA career then picked up significantly in early 2006, the year in which Belcher amassed 9 fights, going 8–1.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In 2006 he lost a unanimous decision at the hands of Yushin Okami at UFC 62 in his UFC debut.

Belcher made his second UFC appearance against Jorge Santiago three months later, winning by stunning head kick KO in the third round of a close fight.

At UFC 69, Belcher lost to The Ultimate Fighter 3 winner Kendall Grove via D'arce choke. Belcher then defeated Sean Salmon one month later at UFC 71 with a guillotine choke 53 seconds into the first round. Belcher took the fight on ten days' notice after Eric Schafer pulled out due to sustaining a broken rib during training. This fight was at 205 pounds.

Belcher then defeated Kalib Starnes at UFC 77 on October 20, 2007. After controlling the fight with punches and knees from the clinch, the fight was eventually stopped in favor of Belcher due to a large gash over Starnes' right eye.

Belcher was scheduled to fight at UFC 81 against Ricardo Almeida, but Belcher had to pull out two days before the fight due to a severe case of bronchitis.

Belcher was scheduled to fight Patrick Cote at UFC 83 in Montreal, but Cote withdrew due to a knee injury. Newcomer Jason Day replaced Cote. Belcher eventually was caught by a punch causing Day to swarm punches at Belcher against the fence. The fight was ruled a TKO in favor of Day in the first round.

After a split decision victory over Ed Herman, Belcher fought Pride FC veteran Denis Kang at UFC 93. Kang won the first round after taking down and controlling Belcher on the ground. However, Kang began to fight more and more conservatively, and when he tried to take Belcher down again late in the second round, Belcher caught him in a tight guillotine choke that made Kang almost immediately tap out, winning him a $45,000 Submission of the Night bonus.

Belcher lost a split decision to Yoshihiro Akiyama, at UFC 100 on July 11, 2009.[3] The fight earned Fight of the Night honors, rewarding both fighters with a record setting $100,000.

Belcher defeated Wilson Gouveia via first round TKO on December 12, 2009 at UFC 107. During the fight, Belcher displayed a good chin and precise punches. The fight was awarded Fight of the Night which rewarded both fighters with $65,000. The award meant Belcher had received three bonuses in a row in 2009.

Belcher defeated Patrick Côté on May 8, 2010, at UFC 113 by way of rear naked choke after a controversial face plant that rocked Cote and enabled Belcher to sneak around to the back and sink in the choke. Belcher received an extra $65,000 for winning the Submission of the Night award which was his fourth consecutive fight night bonus.

Belcher was expected to face Demian Maia on September 15, 2010, at UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Belcher in his first main event.[4] However, on August 1, 2010, Belcher withdrew from the fight with Maia after undergoing emergency eye surgery. Alan stated on his Twitter account that he started to lose the vision in his right eye whilst in Brazil.[5]

Belcher's manager, Malki Kawa, in April updated his recovery, saying that Belcher was back in training and looking forward to a return to the Octagon in September.[6] The UFC hadn't yet announced many plans for September, although there will be a UFC Fight Night event in New Orleans on September 17,[7] where Belcher would be a natural fit.

Belcher faced Jason MacDonald on September 17, 2011 at UFC Fight Night 25.[8] Belcher stuffed a takedown from MacDonald and ended up on top early in the first round. Belcher quickly postured up and began landing punches and elbows to open Jason's guard. He then passed and continued to punish MacDonald and won the fight via verbal submission due to strikes in the first round.

Belcher next faced Rousimar Palhares on May 5, 2012 at UFC on Fox 3.[9] Despite getting the fight to the ground, Palhares was unable to complete his attempted leg locks and heel hook submissions, and Belcher even attempted a few submissions of his own. Belcher would go on to defeat Palhares via TKO in the first round.

Belcher was expected to face Vitor Belfort on October 13, 2012 at UFC 153.[10] However, Belfort was pulled from the bout to face Jon Jones on September 22, 2012 at UFC 152. Belcher called the collapse of the UFC 151 a "blessing in disguise" as he would have been unable to compete due to a fractured spine, keeping him out of action until November. He wanted to face Chris Weidman in his return fight.[11]

A rematch with Yushin Okami took place on December 29, 2012 at UFC 155.[12] Belcher lost the bout by unanimous decision.

Belcher faced Michael Bisping on April 27, 2013 at UFC 159. Bisping controlled the majority of the fight due to his conditioning and cardio pushing a constant pace. The bout was stopped at 4:29 of round 3 as Bisping inadvertently poked Belcher in the eye, rendering Belcher unable to continue. Bisping won the bout via technical unanimous decision.[13] Belcher got eight stitches in his eyelid after the fight.[14]

On November 11, 2015, Belcher announced his retirement from mixed martial arts.[15]

Personal life

Belcher has 2 children, Ava & Eli.[2] He currently has 4 MMA gyms, located in D'Iberville, Mississippi, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Gulfport, Mississippi, and his newest one in Mobile, Alabama. They are listed as Alan Belcher MMA Club or ABMMA.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
26 matches 18 wins 8 losses
By knockout 9 2
By submission 7 1
By decision 2 5
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 18–8 Michael Bisping Technical Decision (unanimous) UFC 159 April 27, 2013 3 4:29 Newark, New Jersey, United States Accidental eye poke rendered Belcher unable to continue
Loss 18–7 Yushin Okami Decision (unanimous) UFC 155 December 29, 2012 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 18–6 Rousimar Palhares TKO (punches and elbows) UFC on Fox: Diaz vs. Miller May 5, 2012 1 4:18 East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
Win 17–6 Jason MacDonald Submission (punches) UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger September 17, 2011 1 3:48 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Win 16–6 Patrick Côté Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 113 May 8, 2010 2 3:25 Montreal, Quebec, Canada Submission of the Night
Win 15–6 Wilson Gouveia TKO (punches) UFC 107 December 12, 2009 1 3:03 Memphis, Tennessee, United States Catchweight of 195 lb; Fight of the Night
Loss 14–6 Yoshihiro Akiyama Decision (split) UFC 100 July 11, 2009 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night
Win 14–5 Denis Kang Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 93 January 17, 2009 2 4:36 Dublin, Ireland Submission of the Night
Win 13–5 Ed Herman Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs Neer September 17, 2008 3 5:00 Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Loss 12–5 Jason Day TKO (punches) UFC 83 April 19, 2008 1 3:58 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 12–4 Kalib Starnes TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC 77 October 20, 2007 2 1:39 Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Win 11–4 Sean Salmon Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 71 May 26, 2007 1 0:53 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Light Heavyweight bout 
Loss 10–4 Kendall Grove Submission (D'arce choke) UFC 69 April 7, 2007 2 4:42 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 10–3 Jorge Santiago KO (head kick) UFC Fight Night: Sanchez vs. Riggs December 13, 2006 3 2:45 San Diego, California, United States
Loss 9–3 Yushin Okami Decision (unanimous) UFC 62: Liddell vs. Sobral August 26, 2006 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–2 Evert Fyeet Submission (toe hold) WEF: Orleans Arena June 10, 2006 1 2:04 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–2 Buck Meredith Decision (unanimous) Raze MMA: Fight Night April 29, 2006 3 5:00 San Diego, California, United States
Win 7–2 Marcus Sursa TKO (punches) World Extreme Fighting 17 April 1, 2006 1 3:48 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 6–2 Ron Fields TKO (slam) Titan FC 1 March 11, 2006 1 0:37 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win 5–2 David Frank Submission (punches) XFL: EK 19: Battle at the Brady 3 February 18, 2006 2 1:37 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win 4–2 Roger Kimes KO (punches) XFL: EK 19: Battle at the Brady 3 February 18, 2006 1 1:35 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win 3–2 Travis Fowler TKO (punches) XFL: EK 19: Battle at the Brady 3 February 18, 2006 1 1:01 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 2–2 Marvin Eastman Decision (unanimous) World Extreme Fighting 16 September 24, 2005 5 5:00 Enid, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 2–1 Edwin Aguilar TKO (punches) WXF: X-Impact World Championships July 9, 2005 1 4:01 Korea
Win 2–0 Sergei Trovnikov Submission (armbar) WXF: X-Impact World Championships July 9, 2005 1 3:37 Korea
Win 1–0 Tim Ellis TKO (punches) Freestyle Fighting Championships 10 July 24, 2004 1 1:49 Tunica, Mississippi, United States
gollark: Or geodes, which are easy.
gollark: Down with sickness!
gollark: *chickenlock*
gollark: I knew it!
gollark: Now: CB Musky, Zyu, golden wvyern. Not only can I not hold them but it's awful.

See also

References
  1. "Alan Belcher". Bullshido.net. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  2. "Tale of the Tape: Ava Elize Belcher". UFC.com. 2010-01-27. Retrieved 2010-01-28.
  3. Hamliin, Tom (19 March 2009). "Belcher signs to welcome Akiyama at UFC 100". Mma Weekly. Archived from the original on 22 March 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
  4. "Alan Belcher vs. Demian Maia Targeted for UFN 22". mmafighting.com. 2010-05-28.
  5. "Alan Belcher out of UFC Fight Night 22 main event with detached retina". mmajunkie.com. August 1, 2010. Archived from the original on August 3, 2010.
  6. "UFC Middleweight Alan Belcher Eyeing September Return Following Career Threatening Injury". MMAWeekly.com. April 13, 2011.
  7. "UFC Fight Night 25 in New Orleans Fight Card Rumors". MMAWeekly.com. April 13, 2011.
  8. "Alan Belcher vs. Jason MacDonald Set for UFC Fight Night: Battle on the Bayou". MMAWeekly.com. May 26, 2011.
  9. "Alan Belcher vs. Rousimar Palhares added to UFC on FOX 3". mmajunkie.com. February 13, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-07-14. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
  10. "Alan Belcher and Vitor Belfort agree to meet at UFC 153 in Brazil". mmajunkie.com. July 24, 2012. Archived from the original on July 26, 2012.
  11. "For Belcher with a fractured spine, & Belfort, 151 collapse 'a blessing'". mixedmartialarts.com.
  12. "Alan Belcher vs. Yushin Okami II on tap for UFC 155 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com. September 13, 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-01-29. Retrieved 2012-09-14.
  13. Staff (2013-04-28). "UFC 159 results/photos: Michael Bisping tops Alan Belcher via technical decision". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2013-04-29. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
  14. "Alan Belcher gets eight eyelid stitches following UFC 159 loss". MMAjunkie. Archived from the original on 2013-04-30.
  15. Dann Stupp (2015-11-06). "Former UFC middleweight contender Alan Belcher announces retirement". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
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