Brandon Thatch

Background Thatch was adopted at age five by his mother's partner, Clarence Thatch, a former karate champion and MMA specialist. Thatch's grandfather was also a professional boxer. Thatch began training in karate at the age of three, and fought in his first kickboxing bout at age 17. He later transitioned into a career in mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Thatch started his amateur MMA career on March 31, 2007, against Jesse Brown, which he won via second round submission. Thatch went undefeated as amateur in 2007 with a 3–0 record. He made his pro debut in June 2008 against Mike Crisman at Ring of Fire 32. Thatch won the fight via TKO 38 seconds into the fight.

Thatch made his Strikeforce debut against Brandon Magana at Strikeforce: At The Mansion II. He lost the fight via split decision. He would bounce back with an 18-second head kick knockout win over Michael Arrant at Ring of Fire 33. In Thatch's next fight, he took on Danny Davis Jr, winning via submission in the first round.

Thatchthen faced Chris Holland at Ring of Fire 40, winning via KO in 19 seconds. Next for Thatch was a bout with Chidi Njokuani at Ring of Fire 41, which he won by TKO in the first minute. In his next fight, Thatch took on Patrick Vallee at Instinct MMA 2 on December 2, 2011, winning via TKO in 15 seconds. Thatch was named Bloody Elbow's #3 welterweight prospect in their annual scouting report.

Ultimate Fighting Championship On May 8, 2013, Thatch signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC.

Thatch faced Justin Edwards on August 28, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 27. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. The win earned him his first Knockout of the Night bonus award.

In his second UFC fight, Thatch faced Paulo Thiago at UFC Fight Night 32 on November 9, 2013. He won the fight via TKO in the first round, forcing Thiago to submit after landing a knee to the liver. With the win, Thatch extended his first round finish streak to ten.

Thatch was expected to face Jordan Mein on August 23, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 49, replacing an injured Thiago Alves. Subsequently, Thatch pulled out of the bout with Mein, citing a toe injury.

Thatch was expected to face Stephen Thompson on February 14, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 60. However, Thompson pulled out of the fight on January 30, citing a rib injury. Subsequently, Thatch faced former UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson at the event. Thatch lost the back and forth fight via submission in the fourth round. Their performance earned both participants Fight of the Night honors.

Thatch was expected to face John Howard on July 11, 2015, at UFC 189. However, on June 23, Thatch was pulled from that bout in favor of a fight with Gunnar Nelson, as his scheduled opponent, John Hathaway, was forced out with an injury. Thatch lost the fight by submission in the first round after getting knocked down by Nelson.

Thatch next faced Siyar Bahadurzada on March 5, 2016, at UFC 196. He lost the fight via submission in the third round.

Thatch was expected to face Erick Silva on September 24, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 95. However, Thatch pulled out of the fight with an undisclosed injury and was subsequently replaced by Luan Chagas.

Thatch was expected to face Sabah Homasi on December 30, 2016, at UFC 207. However, Homasi pulled out of the fight, citing injury, and was subsequently replaced by promotional newcomer Niko Price. Thatch lost the fight by submission in the first round and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Benson Henderson Knockout of the Night (One time) vs. Justin Edwards UFC.com Awards 2013: Newcomer of the Year Ring of Fire Young Guns Welterweight Championship (One time) ESPN 2015 Best Fight of the Half-Year vs. Benson Henderson

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Niko Price Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 207

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Siyar Bahadurzada Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 196

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Gunnar Nelson Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 189

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Benson Henderson Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Paulo Thiago TKO (submission to knee to the body) UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson

Goiânia, Brazil Win

Justin Edwards TKO (knees and punches) UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2 August 28, 2013

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Win

Mike Rhodes Submission (rear-naked choke) RFA 7 March 22, 2013

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Martin Grandmont Submission (rear-naked choke) Instinct MMA: Instinct Fighting 4 June 29, 2012

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Jory Erickson KO (knee) Instinct MMA: Instinct Fighting 3 March 31, 2012

Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada Win

Patrick Vallee TKO (punches) Instinct MMA: Instinct Fighting 2 December 2, 2011

Quebec City, Quebec, Canada Win

Chidi Njokuani TKO (punches) Ring of Fire 41: Bragging Rights August 20, 2011

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Chris Holland KO (punches) Ring of Fire 40: Backlash April 16, 2011

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Danny Davis Jr. Submission (rear-naked choke) Ring of Fire 39: Summer Brawl 2 August 27, 2010

Denver, Colorado, United States Win

Michael Arrant KO (head kick) Ring of Fire 33: Adrenaline January 10, 2009

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Loss

Brandon Magana Decision (split) Strikeforce: At The Mansion II September 20, 2008

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

Mike Crisman TKO (knees) Ring of Fire 32: Respect June 13, 2008

Broomfield, Colorado, United States