Virgil Zwicker

Virgil Zwicker, (born June 26, 1982), is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Light Heavyweight division of Bellator. A professional competitor since 2003, Zwicker has also formerly competed for Strikeforce.

Background

Zwicker grew up on San Pasqual Indian Reservation in North County, San Diego, to a father who was a truck driver and a mother who also worked very hard to support Zwicker and his 11 other siblings. One of Zwicker's many siblings, his older brother, was a Golden Gloves boxer and aided Zwicker in his fighting career. Zwicker belongs to the Kumeyaay-Ipai tribe and grew up in a poverty stricken environment. There weren't a lot of opportunities for Zwicker to play organized sports growing up, but he was a star football player in Pop Warner, known as a smaller player who hit very hard. With little supervision on the reservation, by the age of eleven was routinely fighting grown men. It was also when he was eleven years old that he was arrested for the first time, in 1994. The arrest was for assaulting his school's vice principal and from then until 2005, Zwicker spent most of his time in and out of juvenile halls and prisons for various offenses. He later attended Orange Glen High School in Escondido, California.^[2]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Zwicker's first fight came when he was released from being incarcerated and took the fight on two week's notice.^[2] He defeated Denis Hall in under a minute via TKO. He then racked up a 9-1 record, defeating notables such as future UFC and Strikeforce competitor Ovince St. Preux.

Strikeforce

Zwicker signed with Strikeforce and fought Lavar Johnson at Strikeforce Challengers: Bowling vs. Voelker.^[3] However, Zwicker lost via first round KO, after the two veterans exchanged wild punches.

Zwicker next fought against Brett Albee at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley.^[4] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

At Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier, Zwicker faced Guto Inocente. He lost the fight via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).^[5]

KSW

Zwicker faced Mike Hayes on December 7, 2013 at KSW 25. He won the fight via KO in the first round.^[6]

Bellator MMA

Zwicker signed with Bellator, facing Nick Moghadden on September 13, 2013 at Bellator 99. He won the fight by TKO in round one.^[7]

In his second fight for the promotion, Zwicker faced Linton Vassell at Bellator 122 on July 25, 2014.^[8] He lost the fight via submission in the first round.

Zwicker filled in for an injured James Thompson against UFC veteran Houston Alexander on October 17, 2014 at Bellator 129.^[9] The fight ended in a majority draw as Alexander was docked a point for repeated illegal headbutting.

A rematch with Alexander took place at Bellator 132 on January 16, 2015.^[10] Zwicker won the bout via split decision.

Zwicker is expected to face former UFC competitor Razak Al-Hassan at Bellator 137 on May 15, 2015.^[11]

Kickboxing

Zwicker debuted as a Muay Thai kickboxer in the main event of WCK Muay Thai: Bad to the Bone in Temecula, California on April 6, 2013, losing to Sergio Piqué via split decision.^[12] He will rematch Piqué at WCK Muay Thai: Matter of Pride in Temecula, California, US on February 15, 2014.^[13]

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing record
0 wins (0 KOs), 1 loss, 0 draws Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record 2013-04-06 Loss Sergio Piqué WCK Muay Thai: Bad to the Bone Temecula, California, USA Decision (split) 5 3:00 0-1 Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

Championships and accomplishments

• Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki
  • Fight of the Night (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

References

External links

• Professional MMA record for Virgil Zwicker from Sherdog