Brandon Girtz

Brandon Girtz (born March 6, 1985) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2008, Girtz has also formerly competed for King of the Cage.

Brandon Girtz
Born (1985-03-06) March 6, 1985
Forest Lake, Minnesota, United States
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight165.6 lb (75.1 kg; 11.83 st)
DivisionLightweight (155 lb)
Reach67 in (170 cm)
Fighting out ofDenver, Colorado, United States
TeamGenesis Training Center (2016–present)
Grudge Training Center (2014 -2016)
Minnesota Martial Arts Academy (2011–2014) Northway Martial Arts
TrainerJake Ramos, Trevor Wittman
WrestlingNCAA Division II Wrestling
Years active2008–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total25
Wins16
By knockout3
By submission8
By decision5
Losses9
By knockout3
By submission2
By decision4
UniversityMinnesota State University
Notable school(s)Forest Lake Area High School
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

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.

Championships and accomplishments

Amateur wrestling

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
25 matches 16 wins 9 losses
By knockout 3 3
By submission 8 2
By decision 5 4
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 16–9 Myles Jury Decision (unanimous) Bellator 239 February 21, 2020 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 16–8 Saad Awad Decision (unanimous) Bellator 219 March 29, 2019 3 5:00 Temecula, California, United States
Loss 15–8 Michael Chandler Technical Submission (arm triangle choke) Bellator 197 April 13, 2018 1 4:00 St. Charles, Missouri, United States
Win 15–7 Luka Jelčić KO (punches) Bellator 190 December 9, 2017 1 1:57 Florence, Italy
Loss 14–7 Derek Campos TKO (doctor stoppage) Bellator 181 July 14, 2017 2 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 14–6 Fernando Gonzalez Decision (unanimous) Bellator 174 March 3, 2017 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States 174 lb Catchweight bout.
Loss 14–5 Adam Piccolotti Decision (unanimous) Bellator 165 November 19, 2016 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States
Win 14–4 Derek Campos KO (punches) Bellator 146 November 20, 2015 1 0:37 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 13–4 Melvin Guillard Decision (split) Bellator 141 August 28, 2015 3 5:00 Temecula, California, United States
Win 12–4 Benny Madrid TKO (punches) Bellator 126 September 26, 2014 1 0:57 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss 11–4 Derek Anderson KO (knee) Bellator 113 March 21, 2014 2 0:23 Mulvane, Kansas, United States
Win 11–3 Mike Estus Submission (armbar) Bellator 104 October 18, 2013 1 4:25 Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States 160 lb Catchweight bout; both fighters missed weight.[18]
Win 10–3 Poppies Martinez Submission (armbar) Bellator 102 October 4, 2013 1 1:20 Visalia, California, United States
Loss 9–3 Derek Campos Decision (unanimous) Bellator 96 June 19, 2013 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States 158 lb Catchweight bout; Campos missed weight.[19]
Win 9–2 Michel Quiñones Decision (unanimous) Bellator 80 November 9, 2012 3 5:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Loss 8–2 Eric Wisely TKO (arm injury) Driller Promotions / SEG: Downtown Showdown 1 November 26, 2011 2 4:26 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States 150 lb Catchweight bout.[20]
Win 8–1 Mike Plazola Submission (rear-naked choke) Seconds Out / Vivid MMA: Showdown at the Sheraton 3 May 14, 2011 1 0:43 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win 7–1 Bobby Ferrier Submission (keylock) KOTC: Mainstream October 29, 2010 2 2:02 Morton, Minnesota, United States
Win 6–1 Bobby Ferrier Submission Fight Fest 3 July 31, 2010 1 2:45 Somerset, Wisconsin, United States
Loss 5–1 Alvin Robinson Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Fighting Xtreme May 15, 2010 2 1:37 Red Lake, Minnesota, United States
Win 5–0 Drew Dober Decision (unanimous) VFC 29: The Rising November 13, 2009 3 5:00 Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
Win 4–0 Dan Merth Decision (unanimous) Brutaal Fight Night: This Brutaal's For You November 6, 2008 3 5:00 Maplewood, Minnesota, United States
Win 3–0 Bruce Johnson Submission (rear-naked choke) Brutaal Fight Night November 6, 2008 1 2:00 Maplewood, Minnesota, United States
Win 2–0 Robbie Kriesel Submission (guillotine choke) Brutaal Fight Night June 27, 2008 2 0:30 Elko, Minnesota, United States
Win 1–0 Sam Keigley Submission (neck crank) Brutaal Fight Night April 25, 2008 1 0:38 Shakopee, Minnesota, United States

See also

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".
  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. "NCAA II 2007" (PDF). Wrestlingstats.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  16. "2006 Reno Tournament of Champions: College Tournament results". Tech-fall.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  17. "MMA Junkie's 'Fight of the Month' for March: A barnburner brawl in Bellator". mmajunkie.com. April 4, 2019.
  18. Thomas Myers (October 17, 2013). "Bellator 104 weigh-in results for 'Weedman vs Hawn' from Cedar Rapids". MMAmania.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  19. Staff (June 19, 2013). "Bellator 96 weigh-in results: two fighters miss marks in Oklahoma (updated)". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  20. Nick Caron (November 30, 2011). "Minnesota MMA: TUF hopeful Brandon Girtz broke arm, not spirit vs. Eric Wisely". Bleacherreport.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
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