Benji Radach

Benji Russell Radach (April 5, 1979 – August 2024) was an American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the middleweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor from 2001, Radach also competed for the UFC, the WEC, Strikeforce, and the Los Angeles Anacondas of the IFL.

Mixed martial arts

Early career Radach made his professional MMA debut in 2001 and compiled an undefeated record of 10-0 before being signed by the UFC to compete as a Welterweight.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Radach made his UFC debut against Steve Berger at UFC 37 on May 10, 2002. Radach originally was declared the winner via TKO 27 seconds into the first round, but the decision was later overturned when replay showed that Radach had the fence in his hand as he finished the final blows that ended the fight via TKO.

Radach next fought against Nick Serra on June 22, 2002, at UFC 37.5. Radach won via unanimous decision.

Radach then made his next appearance against future UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk at UFC 39 on September 27, 2002. Radach lost in the first round via TKO from a referee stoppage due to a cut.

Post-UFC Radach returned to the regional circuit where he went 4-1 before facing former WEC Middleweight Champion Chris Leben under the SportFight 4 on June 26, 2004. Radach lost via TKO in the third round after breaking his jaw, and as a result, he was kept away from active competition for three years.

International Fight League Radach returned to MMA in 2007 after signing a contract to compete for the Los Angeles Anacondas of the IFL, coached by Bas Rutten. He made his first appearance against Ryan McGivern on February 2, 2007, at IFL: Houston. Radach won via TKO in the second round.

Radach then faced Brian Foster at IFL: Los Angeles on March 17, 2007. Radach won via guillotine choke submission in the first round.

Radach then fought Bristol Marunde at IFL: Everett on June 1, 2007, and won via TKO in the first round.

Radach made his next appearance against Gerald Harris at the IFL 2007 semifinals on August 2, 2007. Radach won via TKO in the first round.

Radach next fought Brent Beauparlant at the IFL World Grand Prix Semifinals on November 3, 2007, and won via knockout in the first round.

Undefeated in the promotion, he next fought for the inaugural IFL Middleweight Championship against Matt Horwich at the IFL World Grand Prix Finals on December 29, 2007. Radach lost via knockout in the second round.

EliteXC Radach signed a three-fight deal with EliteXC in 2008 and won his first bout against top-ranked middleweight Murilo Rua at EliteXC: Heat on October 4, 2008. He finished the fight via TKO in the second round.

Strikeforce After EliteXC's demise, Radach then moved on to Strikeforce where he lost by a controversial knockout to Scott Smith. He was winning the fight striking until he was knocked out by a straight right from Smith in the final round.

Radach suffered many injuries throughout his career, including a broken jaw, a herniated disc, neck surgery, ACL replacement, and a broken collarbone, amongst others. Radach would suffer another problem in February 2010 when he caught a staph infection after surgery on a torn pectoral muscle that was suffered in training.

Radach fought Ovince St. Preux for Strikeforce on December 4, 2010. Radach lost to St. Preux via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25).

Radach was expected to return from a three-year hiatus and face Dmitry Samoilov at Tyumen Fight 2 on December 22, 2013. However, in the weeks leading up to the fight, the event was cancelled.

Bellator MMA Over four years after his last fight, Radach made his Bellator debut against undefeated Ben Reiter at Bellator 137 on May 15, 2015, replacing an injured A.J. Matthews. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Outside MMA

Radach worked as a chaser in the woods, logging, and also commercial fishing in Petersburg, Alaska and Bristol Bay, Alaska to pay for school and MMA training.

In 2006 Radach foiled an armed robbery attempt in Vancouver, Washington, by physically disarming a gunman who was trying to hold up the restaurant that Radach was patronizing.

In 2008, he was named the corporate director of instructor's training for LA Boxing. His responsibilities primarily involve training and preparing potential LA Boxing instructors for lessons of various experience levels.

On August 26, 2024, it was announced that Radach had died at the age of 45.

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Ben Reiter Decision (unanimous) Bellator 137

Temecula, California, United States Loss

Ovince St. Preux Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II

St. Louis, Missouri, United States Loss

Scott Smith KO (punch) Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz

San Jose, California, United States Win

Murilo Rua TKO (punches) EliteXC: Heat

Sunrise, Florida, United States Loss

Matt Horwich KO (punch) IFL: World Grand Prix Finals

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Brent Beauparlant KO (punch) IFL: World Grand Prix Semifinals

Chicago, Illinois, United States Win

Gerald Harris TKO (punches) IFL: 2007 Semifinals

East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States Win

Bristol Marunde TKO (punches) IFL: Everett

Everett, Washington, United States Win

Brian Foster Submission (guillotine choke) IFL: Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

Ryan McGivern TKO (punches) IFL: Houston

Houston, Texas, United States Loss

Chris Leben TKO (jaw injury) SF 4: Fight For Freedom

Gresham, Oregon, United States Loss

Danny Lafever KO (punch) Ultimate Ring Challenge 6

Longview, Washington, United States Win

Gustavo Machado KO (punches) KOTC 28: More Punishment

Reno, Nevada, United States Win

Steve Van Fleet KO (punches) IFC WC 18: Big Valley Brawl

Lakeport, California, United States Win

Joel Blanton KO (punches) UFCF: Seattle

Seattle, Washington, United States Win

Chris Irvine KO (punches) Ultimate Ring Challenge 3

Kelso, Washington, United States Loss

Sean Sherk TKO (cut) UFC 39

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Nick Serra Decision (unanimous) UFC 37.5

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States NC

Steve Berger No Contest (overturned by state commission) UFC 37

Bossier City, Louisiana, United States Win

Shannon Ritch TKO (punches) MFC 3: Canadian Pride

Alberta, Canada Win

Eric Davila Decision (unanimous) Rumble in the Rockies

Denver, Colorado, United States Win

Oscar Verdusco KO (punch) UFCF: Olympia Ring Challenge

Olympia, Washington, United States Win

Willy Solorio TKO (punches) IFC: Warriors Challenge 16

Oroville, California, United States Win

Royden Demotta TKO (punches and knees) WEC 2

Lemoore, California, United States Win

Eric Perez KO (punch) PPKA: Muckelshoot

Auburn, Washington, United States Win

Dennis Asche Decision (unanimous) DesertBrawl 1

Bend, Oregon, United States Win

Oz Preciado KO (punch) UFCF: Everett Extreme Challenge 3

Everett, Washington, United States Win

Eric Lucas KO (punch) Rumble in the Ring 2

Auburn, Washington, United States Win

Clayton Purvis TKO (punches) UFCF: Road To Victory

Olympia, Washington, United States