Tim Boetsch

Timothy A. Boetsch^[1] (/ˈboʊtʃ/; born January 28, 1981) is an American mixed martial artist currently fighting in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship who has also fought as a Light Heavyweight. In addition to the UFC, Boetsch has formerly competed as an alternate for the New York Pitbulls in the International Fight League and King of the Cage. He is known for his wrestling background, his Jeet Kune Do skils and his general all-around skills.^[2] As of January 17, 2014, he is #11 in official UFC middleweight rankings.^[3]

Biography

Boetsch was born in Lincolnville, Maine and has a brother, Aaron, who is ten years older than him. Boetsch began wrestling when he was six years old, and had always admired his older brother's wrestling abilities. Boetsch attended Camden Hills Regional High School, where his achievements on the wrestling mat were staggering. Boetsch was a four-time state wrestling champion, and won almost every tournament that he participated in. On August 4th, 2012, he was inducted into the Maine Wrestling Hall of Fame. He then attended Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania on a wrestling scholarship, but had mixed results in his wrestling career there. Boetsch had trouble settling into the right weight-class, and was not consistent. His college roommate, who was also on the wrestling team, had been training with the legendary Pat Miletich after he left college. Boetsch's roommate then offered Boetsch the opportunity to fight in Iowa, and Boetsch, who was landscaping in Pennsylvania at the time, accepted.^[4]

MMA career

Boetsch had his first amateur fight in August of 2006, and after dominating the first two opponents he faced in less than two minutes, Boetsch made his big league debut in the International Fight League (IFL) as a late replacement to fight veteran Vladimir Matyushenko. He was given three days to prepare for the match, and fought the future champion to a decision. After this performance, Boetsch made his UFC debut at UFC 81 as a late replacement to fight David Heath. He was given ten days to prepare for the fight, and won by TKO in the first round. Boetsch received particular acclaim and a fan following for the way he threw Heath onto his head at the end of the fight.^[5] Boetsch next made his main card debut in the UFC as a replacement to fight Matt Hamill at UFC Fight Night 13 with six weeks to prepare for the fight. Though he opened a large gash on Hamill's lower lip, he found himself winded in the second round, leading to a TKO loss due to strikes from the ground.^[6]

Boetsch fought submission specialist Michael Patt at UFC 88. For the first time in four fights, Boetsch did not enter the bout as a replacement for another fighter. Boetsch won by TKO in the 1st round.^[7]

Boetsch was released from the UFC following his loss to Jason Brilz at UFC 96, ending his 4 fight contract with a 2–2 record.^[8]

Boetsch earned a record of 3-0 before getting re-signed with the UFC.

Boetsch was scheduled to face Thiago Silva on August 7, 2010 at UFC 117, but Silva was forced out of the bout due to an injury.^[9] and replaced by UFC newcomer Todd Brown. Boetsch won a unanimous decision.^[10]

Boetsch faced Phil Davis on November 20, 2010 at UFC 123.^[11] and lost via modified kimura in the second round.^[12]

Boetsch subsequently dropped to middleweight. He faced Kendall Grove on May 28, 2011 at UFC 130^[13] and won the fight via unanimous decision.

In his second fight at middleweight, Boetsch faced, then undefeated, Nick Ring on September 24, 2011 at UFC 135. He won the fight via unanimous decision.^[14]

Boetsch was victorious in his fight against former UFC title challenger Yushin Okami on February 26, 2012 at UFC 144. Boetsch was badly beaten in the first two rounds before rallying to claim a TKO victory in what is arguably the biggest victory of his career.^[15]

Boetsch was expected to face Michael Bisping on July 21, 2012 at UFC 149.^[16] However, Bisping was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by promotional newcomer Hector Lombard.^[17] Boetsch defeated Lombard via split decision.

Boetsch was expected to face Chris Weidman on December 29, 2012 at UFC 155.^[18] However, Weidman was forced out of the bout due citing an injury and was replaced by Constantinos Philippou.^[19] Boetsch had dominated the first round, but he received an eye poke and headbutt later in the fight and was bleeding a significant amount. Boetsch was never able to fully recover and slowed down significantly. He eventually lost the fight via TKO due to strikes, making this his first loss since moving to middleweight.

Boetsch faced Mark Muñoz on July 6, 2013 at UFC 162, He lost the fight via unanimous decision.^[20]

Boetsch was expected to face Luke Rockhold on October 19, 2013 at UFC 166.^[21] However, Rockhold was forced out of the bout citing a knee injury and was replaced by C.B. Dollaway.^[22] He won the fight via split decision.

Boetsch is expected to reschedule his original UFC 166 bout with Luke Rockhold at UFC 172.^[23]

Personal life

Tim and his wife Jade have a son. Tim has also earned a degree in Criminal Justice from the Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. He was formerly a social worker with adolescents prior to pursuing his mixed martial arts career, and he now owns a lawn and landscape business. ^[24][25]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

• 5150 Combat League
  • Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)

• Tequila CAZADORES Spirit Award
  • Tequila CAZADORES Spirit Award (Two times)

Mixed martial arts record

References

External links

• Professional MMA record for Tim Boetsch from Sherdog
• Official UFC Profile
• Tim Boetsch on Twitter
• Official Website