Anthony Birchak

Anthony Birchak (born May 16, 1986) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division. A professional competitor since 2009. he formerly competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Legacy Fighting Alliance, Bellator, Rizin and the MFC.

Background Birchak is Mexican American and was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. Birchak was a highly decorated amateur wrestler at Sahuarita High School. Birchak attended Pima Community College and Grand Canyon University where he majored in Visual Communications. His wife Mercedes White acts as his manager. Together they have launched a mixed martial arts school TOROTech MMA.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Birchak made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2009 competing primarily in regional promotions across the Southwestern United States, before making an appearance at Bellator 41 where he earned a submission victory over Tyler Bialecki. After seven more fights and two titles later on the regional and Canadian circuit, where he compiled a record of 11–1, Birchak signed with the UFC in the summer of 2014.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Birchak was expected to make his promotional debut against Joe Soto on August 30, 2014, at UFC 177. However, on the day of the weigh-ins, event headliner Renan Barão had to be admitted to the hospital as a result of his attempts to cut weight. Soto was tabbed as his replacement against T.J. Dillashaw. Subsequently, Birchak was removed from the card entirely.

Birchak faced Ian Entwistle on December 13, 2014, at UFC on Fox 13. Birchak lost the bout via submission in the first round.

A rescheduled bout with Joe Soto took place on June 6, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 68. Birchak won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Birchak next faced Thomas Almeida on November 7, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 77. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Birchak next faced Dileno Lopes on July 7, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 90. He won the fight via split decision.

Despite winning his last fight, Birchak never received a new contract offer from the UFC and was released from the promotion in February 2017.

Post-UFC career Rizin FF Birchak quickly signed with Rizin Fighting Federation after his UFC release. He made his debut against Tatsuya Kawajiri on April 16, 2017, at Rizin FF 5. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Birchak next faced Takafumi Otsuka in the first round of the Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix on July 30, 2017, at Rizin 6. He lost the fight via split decision.

Combate Americas Birchak faced Adam Martinez at Combate Americas Mexico vs. USA on October 13, 2018. He won the fight via TKO only 51 seconds into the fight.

LFA Birchak was expected to headline LFA 72 against Nohelin Hernandez on July 26, 2019. However, Hernandez stepped in to replace Sean O'Malley at UFC 239 and was replaced by Raphael Montini de Lima. Birchak won the fight in the first round via submission.

Combate Americas After the victory in the LFA, Birchak was expected to face Erik Aguilar Radleim at Combate Americas' event on October 11, 2019. However, Radleim pulled out due to visa issues and was replaced by Jose Luis Calvo.

Return to UFC Birchak faced Gustavo Lopez, replacing Felipe Colares, on November 7, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira. He lost the fight via a submission in round one.

Birchak was scheduled to face Johnny Eduardo on March 20, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 21. However, on March 15 Eduardo withdrew from the bout due to visa issues. It is unclear if a replacement would be sought by the promotion.

Birchak faced off against Tony Gravely, replacing Nate Maness on April 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 22. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

After the loss he was released by the UFC.

Championships and accomplishments Maximum Fighting Championship MFC Bantamweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

Dumar Roa Combat FC 7

El Paso, Texas, United States Loss

Tony Gravely TKO (punch) UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Gustavo Lopez Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Erik Radleim Submission (rear-naked choke) Combate Americas: Tucson

Tucson, Arizona, United States Win

Raphael Montini de Lima Submission (rear-naked choke) LFA 72

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Adam Martinez TKO (punches) Combate 26

Tucson, Arizona, United States Loss

Moon Jae-hoon Decision (split) Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round

Saitama, Japan Loss

Takafumi Otsuka Decision (split) Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Opening Round - Part 1

Saitama, Japan Loss

Tatsuya Kawajiri Decision (unanimous) Rizin 2017 in Yokohama: Sakura

Yokohama, Japan Win

Dileno Lopes Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Alvarez

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Thomas Almeida KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson 3

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Joe Soto KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Boetsch vs. Henderson

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Loss

Ian Entwistle Submission (heel hook) UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Tito Jones Submission (rear-naked choke) Maximum FC 38

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Win

Ryan Benoit Decision (unanimous) Maximum FC 37

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Win

Matt Leyva TKO (punches) Jackson's MMA Series 10

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Win

Roman Salazar TKO (punches) Coalition of Combat: Clash of the Titans

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

John Green TKO (punches) Xtreme Combat Promotions: Burlington Beatdown

Winooski, Vermont, United States Loss

Jorge Clay Submission (rear-naked choke) Amazon Forest Combat 1

Manaus, Brazil Win

Carlos Ortega Decision (unanimous) Rage in the Cage 153

Chandler, Arizona, United States Win

Tyler Bialecki Submission (brabo choke) Bellator 41

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Austin Apollos Submission (arm-triangle choke) Rage in the Cage 150

Chandler, Arizona, United States Win

Matt Betzold Submission (triangle choke) World Fighting Federation

Tucson, Arizona, United States Win

Gio Arvizu Submission (armbar) World Fighting Federation

Tucson, Arizona, United States Win

Michael Poe Submission (choke) Ringside Ultimo Fighting

Nogales, Arizona, United States