Brandon Girtz

Brandon Girtz
Born March 6, 1985
Forest Lake, Minnesota, United States
Other names Cold Roll
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight 160 lb (73 kg; 11 st)
Division Lightweight (155 lb)
Reach 67.0 in (170 cm)
Fighting out of Mankato, Minnesota, United States
Team Northway Martial Arts
Wrestling NCAA Division II Wrestling
Years active 2008–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 15
Wins 11
By knockout 1
By submission 7
By decision 3
Losses 4
By knockout 2
By submission 1
By decision 1
University Minnesota State University
Notable school(s) Forest Lake Area High School
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Brandon Girtz (born March 6, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator's Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2008, Girtz has also formerly competed for 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, Girtz excelled, receiving NCAA Division II All-American honors.[1]

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 seven victories and only two losses against UFC veterans Alvin Robinson and Eric Wisely respectively, Girtz signed with Bellator.[2]

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).[3]

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.[4] He lost via unanimous decision.[5]

Girtz faced Poppies Martinez on October 4, 2013 at Bellator 102. He won via submission due to an armbar early in the first round.[6]

Just two weeks after his last fight, Girtz replaced Cole Williams against Mike Estus on October 18, 2013 at Bellator 104.[7] Once again he won via submission due to an armbar in the first round.[8]

Girtz was expected to rematch Derek Campos in the quarterfinal match of Bellator season ten lightweight tournament on March 21, 2014 at Bellator 113.[9] 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.[10] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Championships and accomplishments

Amateur wrestling

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–4 Benny Madrid TKO (punches) Bellator 126 September 26, 2014 1 0:57 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 10–4 Derek Anderson KO (knee) Bellator 113 March 21, 2014 2 0:23 Mulvane, Kansas, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–3 Mike Estus Submission (armbar) Bellator 104 October 18, 2013 1 4:25 Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States 160 lb Catchweight bout; both fighters missed weight.[13]
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–3 Poppies Martinez Submission (armbar) Bellator 102 October 4, 2013 1 1:20 Visalia, California, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 8–3 Derek Campos Decision (unanimous) Bellator 96 June 19, 2013 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States 157.2 lb Catchweight bout; Campos missed weight.[14]
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–2 Michel Quinones Decision (unanimous) Bellator 80 November 9, 2012 3 5:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 7–2 Eric Wisely TKO (arm injury) Driller Promotions / SEG: Downtown Showdown 1 November 26, 2011 2 4:26 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States 150 lb Catchweight bout.[15]
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–1 Mike Plazola Submission (rear-naked choke) Seconds Out / Vivid MMA: Showdown at the Sheraton 3 May 14, 2011 1 0:43 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–1 Bobby Ferrier Submission (keylock) KOTC: Mainstream October 29, 2010 2 2:02 Morton, Minnesota, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 5–1 Alvin Robinson Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Fighting Xtreme May 15, 2010 2 1:37 Red Lake, Minnesota, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–0 Drew Dober Decision (unanimous) VFC 29: The Rising November 13, 2009 3 5:00 Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 Dan Merth Decision (unanimous) Brutaal Fight Night: This Brutaal's For You November 6, 2008 3 5:00 Maplewood, Minnesota, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 Bruce Johnson Submission (rear-naked choke) Brutaal Fight Night November 6, 2008 1 2:00 Maplewood, Minnesota, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 Robbie Kriesel Submission (guillotine choke) Brutaal Fight Night June 27, 2008 2 0:30 Elko, Minnesota, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Sam Keigley Submission (neck crank) Brutaal Fight Night April 25, 2008 1 0:38 Shakopee, Minnesota, United States

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.mankatofreepress.com/sports/x519263125/Girtz-becomes-key-cog-in-MSU-wrestling-machine/print
  2. ↑ Ben Pherson (October 31, 2012). "Asplund, Richman both return to Bellator". MNMMAnews.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  3. ↑ Brian Knapp (November 9, 2012). "Joe Warren rebounds at Bellator 80; Volkov, Martinez advance to tournament finals". Sherdog.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  4. ↑ Staff (June 18, 2013). "Bellator 96: King Mo vs Petruzelli – fight card on Spike TV". MMAmadman.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  5. ↑ Staff (June 20, 2013). "Bellator 96 results: ‘King Mo’ Lawal devastates, ‘Babalu’ Sobral retires". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  6. ↑ Brian Knapp (October 4, 2013). "Knee strikes propel UFC veteran Cheick Kongo past Mark Godbeer at Bellator 102". Sherdog.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  7. ↑ Staff (October 16, 2013). "Bellator 104: Hawn vs Weedman 2 – fight card on Spike TV". MMAmadman.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  8. ↑ Brian Knapp (October 18, 2013). "Rick Hawn, Ron Keslar advance to season 9 welterweight final at Bellator 104". Sherdog.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  9. ↑ Mike Whitman (January 16, 2014). "Bellator 113 gets Vegh-Newton title unification bout, lightweight tourney quarterfinals". Sherdog.com. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Bellator 126 fight card finalized for Sept. 26 in Phoenix on Spike TV". mmamania.com. September 9, 2014.
  11. ↑ "NCAA II 2007". Wrestlingstats.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  12. ↑ "2006 Reno Tournament of Champions: College Tournament results". Tech-fall.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  13. ↑ Thomas Myers (October 17, 2013). "Bellator 104 weigh-in results for 'Weedman vs Hawn' from Cedar Rapids". MMAmania.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  14. ↑ Staff (June 19, 2013). "Bellator 96 weigh-in results: two fighters miss marks in Oklahoma (updated)". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  15. ↑ Nick Caron (November 30, 2011). "Minnesota MMA: TUF hopeful Brandon Girtz broke arm, not spirit vs. Eric Wisely". Bleacherreport.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.