Wikipedia

Benji Radach

Benji Russell Radach (April 5, 1979 – August 2024) was an American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the middleweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor from 2001, Radach also competed for the UFC, the WEC, Strikeforce, and the Los Angeles Anacondas of the IFL.

Benji Radach
BornBenji Russell Radach
(1979-04-05)April 5, 1979[1]
Castle Rock, Washington, U.S.
DiedAugust 2024(2024-08-00) (aged 45)
Other namesRazor
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight186 lb (84 kg; 13.3 st)
Division
Fighting out ofCastle Rock, Washington, U.S.
TeamReign MMA
Years active2001–2004, 2007–2010, 2015
Mixed martial arts record
Total29
Wins21
By knockout17
By submission1
By decision3
Losses7
By knockout5
By decision2
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mixed martial arts

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Early career

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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

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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 had the fence in his hand as he finished the final blows that ended the fight via TKO.[2]

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

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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, he was kept away from active competition for three years.

International Fight League

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Radach returned to MMA in 2007 after signing a contract to compete for the Los Angeles Anacondas of the IFL, coached by Bas Rutten. He 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, and 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, and won via knockout in the first round.

Undefeated in the promotion, he 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

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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. He finished the fight via TKO in the second round.

Strikeforce

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

Radach 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.[3]

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

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.[5]

Bellator MMA

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Over four years after 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.[6] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Outside MMA

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Radach worked as a chaser in the woods, logging, and also commercial fishing in Petersburg, Alaska and Bristol Bay, Alaska to pay for school and MMA training.[citation needed]

In 2006 Radach foiled an armed robbery attempt in Vancouver, Washington, by physically disarming a gunman who was trying to hold up the restaurant that Radach was patronizing.[7]

In 2008, he was 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.[8]

On August 26, 2024, it was announced that Radach had died at the age of 45.[9]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
29 matches 21 wins 7 losses
By knockout 17 5
By submission 1 0
By decision 3 2
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 21–7 (1) Ben Reiter Decision (unanimous) Bellator 137 May 15, 2015 3 5:00 Temecula, California, United States Return to Middleweight.
Loss 21–6 (1) Ovince St. Preux Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II December 4, 2010 3 5:00 St. Louis, Missouri, United States Light Heavyweight debut.
Loss 21–5 (1) Scott Smith KO (punch) Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz April 11, 2009 3 3:24 San Jose, California, United States
Win 21–4 (1) Murilo Rua TKO (punches) EliteXC: Heat October 4, 2008 2 2:31 Sunrise, Florida, United States
Loss 20–4 (1) Matt Horwich KO (punch) IFL: World Grand Prix Finals December 29, 2007 2 1:58 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States For the inaugural IFL Middleweight Championship.
Win 20–3 (1) Brent Beauparlant KO (punch) IFL: World Grand Prix Semifinals November 3, 2007 1 2:26 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 19–3 (1) Gerald Harris TKO (punches) IFL: 2007 Semifinals August 2, 2007 1 3:03 East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
Win 18–3 (1) Bristol Marunde TKO (punches) IFL: Everett June 1, 2007 1 1:28 Everett, Washington, United States
Win 17–3 (1) Brian Foster Submission (guillotine choke) IFL: Los Angeles March 17, 2007 1 1:04 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 16–3 (1) Ryan McGivern TKO (punches) IFL: Houston February 2, 2007 2 2:22 Houston, Texas, United States
Loss 15–3 (1) Chris Leben TKO (jaw injury) SF 4: Fight For Freedom June 26, 2004 3 3:43 Gresham, Oregon, United States
Loss 15–2 (1) Danny Lafever KO (punch) Ultimate Ring Challenge 6 October 25, 2003 1 0:55 Longview, Washington, United States
Win 15–1 (1) Gustavo Machado KO (punches) KOTC 28: More Punishment August 16, 2003 1 1:31 Reno, Nevada, United States
Win 14–1 (1) Steve Van Fleet KO (punches) IFC WC 18: Big Valley Brawl July 19, 2003 1 1:21 Lakeport, California, United States
Win 13–1 (1) Joel Blanton KO (punches) UFCF: Seattle March 1, 2003 1 N/A Seattle, Washington, United States
Win 12–1 (1) Chris Irvine KO (punches) Ultimate Ring Challenge 3 January 4, 2003 1 1:02 Kelso, Washington, United States Return to Middleweight.
Loss 11–1 (1) Sean Sherk TKO (cut) UFC 39 September 27, 2002 1 4:16 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 11–0 (1) Nick Serra Decision (unanimous) UFC 37.5 June 22, 2002 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
NC 10–0 (1) Steve Berger No Contest (overturned by state commission) UFC 37 May 10, 2002 1 0:27 Bossier City, Louisiana, United States Welterweight debut. Originally ruled a TKO (punches) win for Radach; overturned to a no contest by the Louisiana Athletic Commission due to Radach holding the fence.
Win 10–0 Shannon Ritch TKO (punches) MFC 3: Canadian Pride March 3, 2002 1 1:18 Alberta, Canada
Win 9–0 Eric Davila Decision (unanimous) Rumble in the Rockies January 26, 2002 2 3:00 Denver, Colorado, United States
Win 8–0 Oscar Verdusco KO (punch) UFCF: Olympia Ring Challenge January 5, 2002 1 0:25 Olympia, Washington, United States
Win 7–0 Willy Solorio TKO (punches) IFC: Warriors Challenge 16 November 9, 2001 1 1:23 Oroville, California, United States
Win 6–0 Royden Demotta TKO (punches and knees) WEC 2 October 4, 2001 1 1:01 Lemoore, California, United States
Win 5–0 Eric Perez KO (punch) PPKA: Muckelshoot August 15, 2001 1 0:18 Auburn, Washington, United States
Win 4–0 Dennis Asche Decision (unanimous) DesertBrawl 1 June 1, 2001 3 5:00 Bend, Oregon, United States
Win 3–0 Oz Preciado KO (punch) UFCF: Everett Extreme Challenge 3 May 19, 2001 1 N/A Everett, Washington, United States
Win 2–0 Eric Lucas KO (punch) Rumble in the Ring 2 April 28, 2001 1 0:09 Auburn, Washington, United States
Win 1–0 Clayton Purvis TKO (punches) UFCF: Road To Victory March 17, 2001 3 N/A Olympia, Washington, United States

References

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  1. ^ Mixed martial arts show results date: June 22, 2002
  2. ^ "Louisiana Commission Declaresradach Vs. Berger No-contest". Full Contact Fighter.
  3. ^ Kimball, James (February 19, 2010). "Staph infection sends injured Benji Radach back under the knife". MMAmania.com.
  4. ^ "Benji Radach vs. Ovince St. Preux Added to Strikeforce Fight Card". MMAWeekly.com. November 30, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  5. ^ "Tyumen Fight 2 Cancelled Event". Tapology. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  6. ^ "With A.J. Matthews injured, Ben Reiter will now meet Benji Radach at Bellator 137". The MMA Report. May 7, 2015.
  7. ^ "Benji Radach Bio". International Fight League. January 1, 2007. Archived from the original on February 3, 2007. Retrieved March 19, 2007.
  8. ^ "Mixed Martial Arts – International Fight League – MMA League Events". archive.ph. June 7, 2008. Archived from the original on June 7, 2008. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
  9. ^ Martin, Damon (August 26, 2024). "UFC, Strikeforce veteran Benji Radach dies at 45". MMA Fighting. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
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