| Erik Koch | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 4, 1988 Iowa, United States |
| Other names | New Breed |
| Residence | Cedar Rapids, Iowa |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) |
| Division | Featherweight |
| Reach | 70 in (180 cm) |
| Style | Kickboxing, Taekwondo |
| Fighting out of | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Team | Roufusport |
| Years active | 2007-present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 14 |
| Wins | 13 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 7 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Losses | 1 |
| By decision | 1 |
Erik Koch (born October 4, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist who currently fights as a featherweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
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Koch enrolled in Taekwondo classes at the ripe age of four[1] peaking his interest in MMA. With help from his older brother, Keoni, who helps run an MMA gym in Eastern Iowa with Dave Sherzer (Hard Drive MMA), Erik started MMA style striking and grappling before the age of 14. Koch would later drop out of Washington High School to pursue a professional career in Mixed Martial Arts. [2]
Koch made his professional MMA debut in 2007. Fighting primarily in Iowa, he amassed an undefeated streak of 8-0 before being signed to World Extreme Cagefighting. Koch is currently ranked as the #6 featherweight fighter in the world by MMAWeekly.[3]
He was scheduled to fight Wagnney Fabiano at WEC 43 on September 2, 2009,[4] but was forced to withdraw from the bout due to an undisclosed injury while training. Koch was replaced by WEC newcomer Mackens Semerzier.[5] Now Koch is expected to make his WEC debut against Jameel Massouh on December 19 for WEC 45.[6] Koch defeated Massouh via unanimous decision.
Koch was defeated by WEC newcomer Chad Mendes via unanimous decision on March 6, 2010 at WEC 47.[7]
Koch rebounded from his first professional loss as he faced Bendy Casimir on June 20, 2010 at WEC 49.[8] He won the fight via Submission due to a Triangle Choke in the first round.
Koch was expected to face Josh Grispi on November 11, 2010 at WEC 52.[9] However, due to the UFC/WEC merger, the fight was scratched as Grispi was awarded a title fight with current WEC featherweight champion Jose Aldo to determine the first ever UFC featherweight champion. Koch defeated promotional newcomer Francisco Rivera via first round TKO, earning Knockout of the Night honors.[10]
On October 28, 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.[11]
Koch was expected to face Cub Swanson on March 3, 2011 at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann.[12] However Swanson was forced out of the bout with an injury.[13]
Koch faced Raphael Assunção at UFC 128, replacing the injured Manvel Gamburyan.[14] He won the fight via first round knockout, earning Knockout of the Night honors.
Koch was expected to face Cub Swanson on July 2, 2011 at UFC 132.[15] However, Swanson was forced out of the bout with another injury.[16]
Koch faced The Ultimate Fighter 12 winner Jonathan Brookins on September 17, 2011 at UFC Fight Night 25.[17] He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Koch was expected to face Dustin Poirier on February 4, 2012 at UFC 143.[18] However, Koch pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Ricardo Lamas.[19]
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 14 matches | 13 wins | 1 loss |
| By knockout | 3 | 0 |
| By submission | 7 | 0 |
| By decision | 3 | 1 |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 13–1 | Jonathan Brookins | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger | September 17, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 12–1 | Raphael Assunção | KO (punch) | UFC 128 | March 19, 2011 | 1 | 2:32 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | Knockout of the Night |
| Win | 11–1 | Francisco Rivera | TKO (head kick and punches) | WEC 52 | November 11, 2010 | 1 | 1:36 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Knockout of the Night |
| Win | 10–1 | Bendy Casimir | Submission (triangle choke) | WEC 49 | June 20, 2010 | 1 | 3:01 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
| Loss | 9–1 | Chad Mendes | Decision (unanimous) | WEC 47 | March 6, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 9–0 | Jameel Massouh | Decision (unanimous) | WEC 45 | December 19, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 8–0 | Tom Ahrens | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Midwest Cage Championships 20 | April 17, 2009 | 2 | 3:13 | West Des Moines, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 7–0 | Will Shutt | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Midwest Cage Championships 20 | April 17, 2009 | 2 | 3:33 | West Des Moines, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Joe Pearson | Submission (triangle choke) | Mainstream MMA 9: New Era | April 8, 2008 | 1 | 3:00 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Eric Wisely | Decision (unanimous) | Mainstream MMA 7: Vengeance | October 20, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | TJ O'Brien | Submission (armbar) | Mainstream MMA 6: Evolution | July 14, 2007 | 1 | 0:42 | Dubuque, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Tyler Combs | TKO (punches) | Xtreme Fighting Organization 17 | June 2, 2007 | 1 | 2:37 | Crystal Lake, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Micah Washington | Submission (armbar) | Mainstream MMA 5: Heavy Duty | February 10, 2007 | 1 | N/A | Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Prentiss Wolf | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Mainstream MMA 4: Epic | January 6, 2007 | 1 | 2:30 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States |