Matt Horwich

Matt Horwich
Born Matthew Peter Horwich
(1978-10-02) October 2, 1978
Seattle, Washington, United States
Other names Suavè, Sabretooth
Residence Los Angeles, California, United States
Nationality American
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
Division Middleweight
Light Heavyweight
Reach 75 in (190 cm)
Fighting out of Hollywood, California, United States
Team Kings MMA / 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu
Rank Brown belt in 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu
Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active 2003-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 52
Wins 29
By knockout 5
By submission 21
By decision 3
Losses 22
By submission 5
By decision 17
Draws 1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Matthew Peter Horwich (born October 2, 1978) is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Middleweight division of KSW. A professional competitor since 2003, Horwich has also fought in BAMMA, Strikeforce, Bellator and in the UFC, and for the Seattle Tiger Sharks of the IFL where he was the IFL Middleweight Champion.

Background

Horwich was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. He watched many Bruce Lee films growing up and entered Dojo Kai Korean traditional martial arts classes. Growing up, Horwich had little interest in school due to low opinions of his teachers. Unmotivated, lost and without a concrete path to embark on, he began to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Things were not looking bright as his poor choices continued to lead him in the wrong direction. He then garnered interest for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) at the age of 17 and saved up enough money to learn from none other than Royce Gracie himself. After that, he reluctantly made an unwise decision and was placed in jail for ten days with the possession of drugs. He served his time and chose to relocate to Seattle, Washington with the intention of starting a band. While there, he performed odd jobs and lived in squats as he crossed-paths between becoming either a musician or martial artist. He then eventually experienced a religious conversion as a self-described "spiritual" Christian and rededicated himself to a successful, focused career in martial arts.[1]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Horwich developed his impressive skills as a submission specialist training with Team Quest as well as BJJ black belts B.J. Penn and Eddie Bravo.[1] He has also trained extensively with accomplished Kickboxer and Muay Thai Fighter Chris Reilly.[2][3] Matt Horwich earned the nickname "The Fighting Hippy" due to his extremely unique personality and interests.[4]

Before signing with the International Fight League's Portland Wolfpack, Matt Horwich amassed a strong record of 15-6-1 fighting in small promotions. His popularity and well-fought 5-3 record while there led the IFL to match him against Benji Radach at the World Grand Prix Finals to determine the first middleweight champion. Horwich outstandingly defeated the noted striker by Knockout in the second round, becoming the IFL's first ever middleweight champion.[1]

Matt Horwich then signed with the UFC after the IFL folded and made his debut at UFC 90. His opponent, none other than the latest IFL middleweight champion Dan Miller. Horwich came close to sinking in a fight-ending choke in this exciting bout as the clock suspensefully ticked at the final part of the second round. Despite his wholehearted efforts, Miller controlled most of the first and third rounds and took the unanimous decision.[5] Horwich then made his second UFC appearance at UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann against Ricardo Almeida which resulted in a second decision loss and his release from the company.

After that, he debuted with Bellator and then Aggression MMA where he came back with a solid, split-decision victory over Jason Lambert. This very well-fought rematch took place in Alberta, Canada as Horwich successfully returned to his winning ways.[6]

Horwich fought Tom 'Kong' Watson at BAMMA3 as a late replacement for Alex Reid on 15 May 2010 and lost. It was his first fight in Britain.[7]

Horwich beat Thales Leites, former UFC Middleweight contender, in an upset on August 14.

On September 9, 2010, Horwich fought Bellator season two semifinalist Eric Schambari, losing via split decision.[8]

Horwich then defeated Jake Rosholt by technical knockout in the third round at Xtreme Fight Night – Rosholt vs. Horwich in November 2010.

At Shark Fights 14: Horwich vs. Villefort on March 11, 2011, Horwich squared off with UFC and WEC veteran Danillo Villefort, losing by unanimous decision after being controlled both on the feet and the floor for the entirety of the 15-minute affair.[9]

Horwich faced a rematch with Jake Rosholt at Shark Fights 17: Horwich vs. Rosholt 2 on July 15, 2011, losing by unanimous decision. Rosholt used his wresting to neutralize any attempt at a takedown and utilized a much improved striking game to win the nod from the judges.[10]

Horwich fought Piotr Strus at KSW 25 on December 7, 2013. Though the fan favorite coming into the fight, Horwich lost by majority decision.[11]

Personal life

Matt Horwich was married the day after his first attempted defense of the IFL Middleweight Championship.[12] Horwich is often described as a hippie who frequently quotes Bible passages and personal aphorisms in conversation.[1] His hobbies include playing guitar and writing music and poetry, mostly themed around his interest in quantum mechanics.[12]

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 29–22–1 Piotr Strus Decision (majority) KSW 25: Khalidov vs. Sakurai December 7, 2013 3 5:00 Wroclaw, Poland
Win 29–21–1 Igor Sliusarchuk Submission (rear-naked choke) Global Fight Club: GFC Challenge June 2, 2013 1 3:03 Krasnodar, Krasnodar Krai, Russia
Win 28–21–1 Terry Martin TKO (punches) KSW 21 December 1, 2012 2 4:08 Warsaw, Poland Catchweight bout of 191 lbs.
Win 27–21–1 Antoni Chmielewski TKO (punches) KSW XIX May 12, 2012 3 2:19 Lódz, Poland
Loss 26–21–1 Thales Leites Submission (arm-triangle choke) Amazon Forest Combat 2 March 31, 2012 2 4:39 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil Catchweight bout of 194 lbs.
Loss 26–20–1 Michal Materla Decision (unanimous) KSW 17: Revenge November 26, 2011 3 3:00 Lódz, Poland KSW Middleweight Championship eliminator; fight went to three-minute OT round.
Loss 26–19–1 Jake Rosholt Decision (unanimous) Shark Fights 17: Horwich vs. Rosholt 2 July 15, 2011 3 5:00 Frisco, Texas, United States
Loss 26–18–1 Danillo Villefort Decision (unanimous) Shark Fights 14: Horwich vs. Villefort March 11, 2011 3 5:00 Lubbock, Texas, United States
Win 26–17–1 Jake Rosholt TKO (punches) Xtreme Fight Night: Rosholt vs. Horwich November 12, 2010 3 2:56 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 25–17–1 Eric Schambari Decision (split) Bellator 28 September 9, 2010 3 5:00 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Win 25–16–1 Thales Leites Submission (rear-naked choke) Powerhouse World Promotions: War on the Mainland August 14, 2010 4 0:44 Irvine, California, United States Won PWP Middleweight Championship.
Loss 24–16–1 Tom Watson Decision (unanimous) BAMMA 3 May 15, 2010 5 5:00 Birmingham, England For the BAMMA Middleweight Championship
Loss 24–15–1 Jason MacDonald Decision (unanimous) LGIO MMA 1: MacDonald vs Horwich April 23, 2010 3 5:00 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win 24–14–1 Jason Lambert Decision (split) AMMA 1: First Blood October 24, 2009 3 5:00 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Loss 23–14–1 Bryan Baker Decision (unanimous) Bellator 10 June 5, 2009 3 5:00 Ontario, California, United States
Loss 23–13–1 Ricardo Almeida Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann April 1, 2009 3 5:00 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Loss 23–12–1 Dan Miller Decision (unanimous) UFC 90 October 25, 2008 3 5:00 Rosemont, Illinois, United States
Win 23–11–1 Joey Guel Decision (unanimous) IFL: Mohegan Sun May 16, 2008 3 4:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 22–11–1 Ryan McGivern Decision(unanimous) IFL: Vegas February 29, 2008 5 4:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Lost IFL Middleweight Championship.
Win 22–10–1 Benji Radach KO (punch) IFL: World Grand Prix Finals December 29, 2007 2 1:58 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Became inaugural IFL Middleweight Champion.
Win 21–10–1 Brian Foster Submission (armbar) IFL: World Grand Prix Semifinals November 3, 2007 1 3:59 Chicago, Illinois, United States Catchweight bout of 188 lbs.
Win 20–10–1 Kazuhiro Hamanaka KO (head kick) IFL: Everett June 1, 2007 1 2:07 Everett, Washington, United States
Loss 19–10–1 Jamal Patterson Submission (guillotine choke) IFL: Connecticut April 13, 2007 1 0:37 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 19–9–1 Brent Beauparlant Submission (kimura) IFL: Atlanta February 23, 2007 2 0:28 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Loss 18–9–1 Ryan McGivern Decision (unanimous) IFL: Championship Final December 29, 2006 3 4:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 18–8–1 Mike Pyle Submission (rear-naked choke) IFL: World Championship Semifinals November 2, 2006 2 1:02 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 17–8–1 Bristol Marunde Decision (unanimous) IFL: Portland September 9, 2006 3 4:00 Portland, Oregon, United States
Loss 16–8–1 Jamal Patterson Submission (rear-naked choke) IFL: Legends Championship 2006 April 29, 2006 1 2:57 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss 16–7–1 Roan Carneiro Decision (split) WCFC: No Guts No Glory March 18, 2006 3 5:00 Manchester, England
Win 16–6–1 Petras Markevicius Submission (rear naked choke) WCFC: No Guts No Glory March 18, 2006 1 4:59 Manchester, England
Loss 15–6–1 Brian Ebersole Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie March 10, 2006 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States Light Heavyweight bout.
Win 15–5–1 Rob Wince Submission (armbar) ACF: Genesis February 24, 2006 1 1:46 Denver, Colorado, United States
Win 14–5–1 John Cronk Submission (rear naked choke) SF 13: Rocky Mountain Sportfight October 15, 2005 2 3:28 Denver, Colorado, United States
Win 13–5–1 Vernon White Submission (rear-naked choke) SF 12: Breakout September 16, 2005 2 2:38 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 12–5–1 Krzysztof Soszynski Submission (rear-naked choke) Freedom Fight: Canada vs USA July 9, 2005 2 0:52 Hull, Quebec, Canada
Loss 11-5-1 Travis Wiuff Decision (unanimous) Extreme Challenge 62 June 18, 2005 3 5:00 Medina, Minnesota, United States
Win 11–4–1 Brian Wieber Submission (rear-naked choke) XFC: Dome of Destruction 2 April 30, 2005 1 2:37 Tacoma, Washington, United States
Loss 10–4–1 Trevor Prangley Decision (unanimous) SF 9: Respect March 26, 2005 3 5:00 Gresham, Oregon, United States
Win 10–3–1 Chris Kiever Submission (triangle choke) Kickdown Classic 16 February 19, 2005 2 0:40 Denver, Colorado, United States
Loss 9–3–1 Jason Lambert Submission (punches) WEC 12 October 21, 2004 2 3:28 Lemoore, California, United States
Win 9–2–1 Jason MacDonald Submission (armbar) Extreme Fighting Challenge 3 October 16, 2004 1 N/A Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
Win 8–2–1 Billy Miles Submission (rear-naked choke) SF 6: Battleground in Reno September 23, 2004 2 0:59 Reno, Nevada, United States
Win 7–2–1 Antony Rea Submission (rear-naked choke) APEX: Genesis September 5, 2004 2 1:13 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 6–2–1 Paul Purcell Submission (rear-naked choke) SF 5: Stadium August 28, 2004 1 N/A Gresham, Oregon, United States
Win 5–2–1 Mikko Rupponen Submission (triangle choke) PFA: Pride and Fury June 3, 2004 3 0:50 Worley, Idaho, United States
Win 4–2–1 Chris Kiever Submission (triangle choke) Cage Fighting Championship 1 May 1, 2004 1 1:47 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Loss 3–2–1 Glover Teixeira Decision (unanimous) SF 3: Dome April 17, 2004 3 5:00 Gresham, Oregon, United States
Win 3–1–1 Horace Spencer Submission (rear-naked choke) SF 2: On the Move March 19, 2004 1 4:45 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 2–1–1 Josh Burkman Submission (triangle choke) SF 1: Revolution February 21, 2004 2 2:11 Portland, Oregon, United States
Loss 1–1–1 Rich Guerin Submission (armbar) DesertBrawl 9 November 8, 2003 1 1:54 Bend, Oregon, United States
Draw 1–0–1 Shane Davis Draw Ultimate Ring Challenge 6 October 25, 2003 3 3:00 Longview, Washington, United States
Win 1–0 Cory Devela Submission (rear-naked choke) PPKA: Ultimate Fight Night 2 September 6, 2003 2 1:24 Pasco, Washington, United States

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 McCray, Brad (June 27, 2007). "Horwich dreaming big". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 11, 2009.
  2. Archived December 21, 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Interview with Matt Horwich - MMAUniverse.com | Interviews | Interview with Matt Horwich". MMAUniverse.com. 2008-02-28. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  4. "Exclusive Interview: Matt Horwich". CagePotato.com. Retrieved February 11, 2009.
  5. "UFC 90 'Silva vs. Cote' Play-by-Play". Sherdog.com. October 25, 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2009.
  6. "Aggression MMA Results | Top MMA News at". Topmmanews.com. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  7. "Welcome to BAMMA - Home". Bamma.net. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  8. Ratliff, Ben (2010-09-10). "Bellator 28 results from New Orleans on Sept. 9". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  9. "Shark Fights 14 results: Villefort decisions Horwich, LaRosa taps Damm". MMAjunkie.com. 2011-03-12. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  10. "Shark Fights 17 Results: Jake Rosholt Wins, Working Towards UFC Return". MMAWeekly.com. 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  11. "Piotr Strus vs. Matt Horwich". tapology.com. December 7, 2013.
  12. 1 2 Barnwell, Bill (February 21, 2008). "Matt Horwich Interview". IGN.com. Retrieved February 11, 2009.

External links

New championship 1st IFL Middleweight Champion
December 29, 2007 - February 29, 2008
Succeeded by
Ryan McGivern
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