Anthony Birchak
Anthony Birchak (born May 16, 1986) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division. A professional competitor since 2009. he formerly competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Legacy Fighting Alliance, Bellator, Rizin and the MFC. Background. Birchak is Mexican American and was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. Birchak was a highly decorated amateur wrestler at Sahuarita High School. Birchak attended Pima Community College and Grand Canyon University where he majored in Visual Communications. His wife Mercedes White acts as his manager. Together they have launched a mixed martial arts school TOROTech MMA . Mixed martial arts career. Early career. Birchak made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2009 competing primarily in regional promotions across the Southwestern United States, before making an appearance at Bellator 41 where he earned a submission victory over Tyler Bialecki. After seven more fights and two titles later on the regional and Canadian circuit, where he compiled a record of 11-1, Birchak signed with the UFC in the summer of 2014. Ultimate Fighting Championship. Birchak was expected to make his promotional debut against Joe Soto on August 30, 2014 at UFC 177. However, on the day of  the weigh-ins, event headliner Renan Barão had to be admitted to the hospital as a result of his attempts to cut weight. Soto was tabbed as his replacement against T.J. Dillashaw. Subsequently, Birchak was removed from the card entirely. Birchak faced Ian Entwistle on December 13, 2014 at UFC on Fox 13. Birchak lost the bout via submission in the first round. A rescheduled bout with Joe Soto took place on June 6, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 68. Birchak won the fight via knockout in the first round. Birchak next faced Thomas Almeida on November 7, 2015 at  UFC Fight Night 77. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round. Birchak next faced Dileno Lopes on July 7, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 90. He won the fight via split decision. Despite winning his last fight, Birchak never received a new contract offer from the UFC and was released from the promotion in February 2017. Post-UFC career. Rizin FF. Birchak quickly signed with Rizin Fighting Federation after his UFC release. He made his debut against Tatsuya Kawajiri on April 16, 2017, at Rizin FF 5. He lost the bout via unanimous decision. Birchak next faced  Takafumi Otsuka in the first round of the Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix on July 30, 2017 at Rizin 6. He lost the fight via split decision. Combate Americas. Birchak faced Adam Martinez at Combate Americas Mexico vs. USA on October 13, 2018. He won the fight via TKO only 51 seconds into the fight. LFA. Birchak was expected to headline against Nohelin Hernandez on July 26, 2019. However, Hernandez stepped in to replace Sean O'Malley at UFC 239 and was replaced by Raphael Montini de Lima. Birchak won the fight in the first round via submission. Combate Americas. After the  victory in the LFA, Birchak was expected to face Erik Aguilar Radleim at Combate Americas' event on October 11, 2019. However, Radleim pulled out due to visa issues and was replaced by Jose Luis Calvo. Return to UFC. Birchak faced Gustavo Lopez, replacing Felipe Colares, on November 7, 2020 at . He lost the fight via a submission in round one. Birchak was scheduled to face Johnny Eduardo on March 20, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 21. However, on March 15 Eduardo withdrew from the bout due to visa issues. It is unclear if a replacement would be sought by the  promotion. Birchak faced off against Tony Gravely, replacing Nate Maness on April 17, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 22. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round. After the loss he was released by the UFC.