Brandon Girtz

Brandon Girtz (born March 6, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist and bare knuckle boxer. A professional competitor since 2008, Girtz has fought in Bellator and King of the Cage.

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.

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.

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).

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. He lost via unanimous decision.

Girtz faced Poppies Martinez on October 4, 2013, at Bellator 102. He won via submission due to an armbar early in the first round.

Just two weeks after his last fight, Girtz replaced Cole Williams against Mike Estus on October 18, 2013, at Bellator 104. Once again he won via submission due to an armbar in the first round.

Girtz was expected to rematch Derek Campos in the quarterfinal match of Bellator season ten lightweight tournament on March 21, 2014, at Bellator 113. 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. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Girtz faced Melvin Guillard at Bellator 141 on August 28, 2015. 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.

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.

Girtz was supposed to face UFC veteran Jon Tuck at Bellator 227 but Girtz was forced to pull out due to injury.

Girtz next faced Myles Jury at Bellator 239. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Girtz faced Henry Corrales at Bellator 250. He lost the fight via split decision.

On April 19, 2021, it was announced that Girtz was released by Bellator.

Bare knuckle boxing Girtz made his BKFC debut at BKFC 31 on October 15, 2022 against UFC veteran Jake Lindsey. Girtz was defeated from a doctor stoppage due to a cut in the second round.

Girtz returned at BKFC 41 on April 29, 2023 against Christian Torres. Girtz won via first-round TKO.

Girtz fought again at BKFC 67 against UFC veteran Cameron Van Camp on October 25, 2024. Girtz lost a back-and-forth fight via split decision.

Championships and accomplishments Amateur wrestling National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Division II All-American out of Minnesota State University (2007) NCAA Division II 157 lb: 7th place out of Minnesota State University (2007) Reno Tournament of Champions College Tournament 157 lb: 5th place out of Minnesota State University (2006) MMAJunkie.com 2019 March Fight of the Month vs. Saad Awad

Mixed martial arts record Win

John Macapá Decision (split) Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 10

Miami, Florida, United States Loss

Henry Corrales Decision (split) Bellator 250

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Loss

Myles Jury Decision (unanimous) Bellator 239

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Win

Saad Awad Decision (unanimous) Bellator 219

Temecula, California, United States Loss

Michael Chandler Technical Submission (arm triangle choke) Bellator 197

St. Charles, Missouri, United States Win

Luka Jelčić KO (punches) Bellator 190

Florence, Italy Loss

Derek Campos TKO (doctor stoppage) Bellator 181

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Fernando Gonzalez Decision (unanimous) Bellator 174

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Adam Piccolotti Decision (unanimous) Bellator 165

San Jose, California, United States Win

Derek Campos KO (punches) Bellator 146

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Win

Melvin Guillard Decision (split) Bellator 141

Temecula, California, United States Win

Benny Madrid TKO (punches) Bellator 126

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Loss

Derek Anderson KO (knee) Bellator 113

Mulvane, Kansas, United States Win

Mike Estus Submission (armbar) Bellator 104

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States Win

Poppies Martinez Submission (armbar) Bellator 102

Visalia, California, United States Loss

Derek Campos Decision (unanimous) Bellator 96

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Win

Michel Quiñones Decision (unanimous) Bellator 80

Hollywood, Florida, United States Loss

Eric Wisely TKO (arm injury) Driller Promotions / SEG: Downtown Showdown 1

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Win

Mike Plazola Submission (rear-naked choke) Seconds Out / Vivid MMA: Showdown at the Sheraton 3

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Win

Bobby Ferrier Submission (keylock) KOTC: Mainstream

Morton, Minnesota, United States Win

Bobby Ferrier Submission Fight Fest 3

Somerset, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Alvin Robinson Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Fighting Xtreme

Red Lake, Minnesota, United States Win

Drew Dober Decision (unanimous) VFC 29: The Rising

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Win

Dan Merth Decision (unanimous) Brutaal Fight Night: This Brutaal's For You

Maplewood, Minnesota, United States Win

Bruce Johnson Submission (rear-naked choke) Brutaal Fight Night

Maplewood, Minnesota, United States Win

Robbie Kriesel Submission (guillotine choke) Brutaal Fight Night

Elko, Minnesota, United States Win

Sam Keigley Submission (neck crank) Brutaal Fight Night

Shakopee, Minnesota, United States Bare-knuckle boxing record Win

Christian Torres KO BKFC 41

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Loss

Jake Lindsey TKO (doctor stoppage) BKFC 31

Broomfield, Colorado, United States