Benji Radach

Benji Russell Radach (born April 5, 1979) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Middleweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2001, Radach has also formerly competed for the UFC, the WEC, Strikeforce, and the Los Angeles Anacondas of the IFL.

Background

Born and raised in Castle Rock, Washington, Radach began his career as a high school wrestler at Castle Rock High School, and was talented. Radach finished fifth at the Washington State Wrestling Championships at 141 pounds as a junior and eighth at 148 pounds as a senior.

Mixed martial arts

Early career

Radach made his professional MMA debut in 2001 and compiled an undefeated record of 10-0 before being signed by the UFC to compete as a Welterweight.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Radach made his UFC debut against Steve Berger at UFC 37 on May 10, 2002. Radach originally was declared the winner via TKO 27 seconds into the first round, but the decision was later overturned when replay showed that Radach hit Berger in the back of the head illegally, which caused the TKO win.^[1]

Radach next fought against Nick Serra on June 22, 2002 at UFC 37.5. Radach won via unanimous decision.

Radach then made his next appearance against future UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk at UFC 39 on September 27, 2002. Radach lost in the first round via TKO from a referee stoppage due to a cut.

Post-UFC

Radach returned to the regional circuit where he went 4-1 before facing former WEC Middleweight Champion Chris Leben under the SportFight 4 on June 26, 2004. Radach lost via TKO in the third round after breaking his jaw, and as a result, Radach was kept away from active competition for three years.

International Fight League

Radach returned to MMA in 2007 after signing a contract to compete for the Los Angeles Anacondas of the IFL, coached by Bas Rutten. Radach made his first appearance against Ryan McGivern on February 2, 2007 at IFL: Houston. Radach won via TKO in the second round.

Radach then faced Brian Foster at IFL: Los Angeles on March 17, 2007. Radach won via guillotine choke submission in the first round.

Radach then fought Bristol Marunde at IFL: Everett on June 1, 2007. Radach won via TKO in the first round.

Radach made his next appearance against Gerald Harris at the IFL 2007 Semifinals on August 2, 2007. Radach won via TKO in the first round.

Radach next fought Brent Beauparlant at the IFL World Grand Prix Semifinals on November 3, 2007. Radach won via knockout in the first round.

Undefeated in the promotion, Radach next fought for the inaugural IFL Middleweight Championship against Matt Horwich at the IFL World Grand Prix Finals on December 29, 2007. Radach lost via knockout in the second round.

EliteXC

Radach signed a three-fight deal with EliteXC in 2008 and won his first bout against top-ranked Middleweight Murilo Rua at EliteXC: Heat on October 4, 2008. Radach finished the fight via TKO in the second round.

Strikeforce

After EliteXC's demise, Radach then moved on to Strikeforce where he lost by a controversial knockout to Scott Smith. Radach was winning the fight striking until he was knocked out by a straight right from Smith in the final round.

Radach has suffered many injuries throughout his career, including a broken jaw, a herniated disc, neck surgery, ACL replacement, and a broken collarbone, amongst others. Radach would suffer another problem in February 2010 when he caught a staph infection after surgery on a torn pectoral muscle that was suffered in training.^[2]

Radach fought Ovince St. Preux for Strikeforce on December 4, 2010.^[3] Radach lost to St. Preux via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25).

Post-Strikeforce

Radach was expected to return from a three-year hiatus and face Dmitry Samoilov at Tyumen Fight 2 on December 22, 2013. However, in the weeks leading up to the fight, the event was cancelled.^[4]

Bellator MMA

Over four years since his last fight, Radach made his Bellator debut against undefeated Ben Reiter at Bellator 137 on May 15, 2015, replacing an injured A.J. Matthews.^[5] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Outside MMA

In 2006 Radach foiled an armed robbery attempt in Vancouver, WA by physically disarming a gunman who was trying to hold up the restaurant that Radach was patronizing.^[6]

He was recently named the corporate director of instructor's training for LA Boxing. His responsibilities primarily involve training and preparing potential LA Boxing instructors for lessons of various experience levels.^[7]

Mixed martial arts record

References

External links

• Professional MMA record for Benji Radach from Sherdog
  
• Benji Radach IFL Page
• IFL Webpage
• Official myNetSpot Site
• Washington State Wrestling Championships 1997
• Washington State Wrestling Championships 1996