Erik Koch
Encyclopedia
Erik Koch is an American
mixed martial artist who currently fights as a featherweight
in the Ultimate Fighting Championship
.
, he amassed an undefeated streak of 8-0 before being signed to World Extreme Cagefighting
. Koch is currently ranked as the #6 featherweight fighter in the world by MMAWeekly.
He was scheduled to fight Wagnney Fabiano
at WEC 43
on September 2, 2009, but was forced to withdraw from the bout due to an undisclosed injury while training. Koch was replaced by WEC newcomer Mackens Semerzier
. Now Koch is expected to make his WEC debut against Jameel Massouh
on December 19 for WEC 45
. Koch defeated Massouh via unanimous decision.
Koch was defeated by WEC newcomer Chad Mendes
via unanimous decision on March 6, 2010 at WEC 47
.
Koch rebounded from his first professional loss as he faced Bendy Casimir
on June 20, 2010 at WEC 49
. He won the fight via Submission due to a Triangle Choke in the first round.
Koch was expected to face Josh Grispi
on November 11, 2010 at WEC 52
. However, due to the UFC/WEC merger, the fight was scratched as Grispi was awarded a title fight with current WEC featherweight champion Jose Aldo
to determine the first ever UFC featherweight champion. Koch defeated promotional newcomer Francisco Rivera via first round TKO, earning Knockout of the Night honors.
merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship
. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.
Koch was expected to face Cub Swanson
on March 3, 2011 at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann
. However Swanson was forced out of the bout with an injury.
Koch faced Raphael Assunção at UFC 128
, replacing the injured Manvel Gamburyan
. He won the fight via first round knockout, earning Knockout of the Night honors.
Koch was expected to face Cub Swanson
on July 2, 2011 at UFC 132
. However, Swanson was forced out of the bout with another injury.
Koch faced The Ultimate Fighter 12 winner Jonathan Brookins
on September 17, 2011 at UFC Fight Night 25
. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Koch is expected to face Dustin Poirier
on February 4, 2012 at UFC 143
.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
| Win
|align=center| 13–1
| Jonathan Brookins
| Decision (unanimous)
| UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|New Orleans, Louisiana
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 12–1
| Raphael Assunção
| KO (punch)
| UFC 128
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:32
|Newark, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 11–1
| Francisco Rivera
| TKO (head kick and punches)
| WEC 52
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:36
|Las Vegas, Nevada
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 10–1
| Bendy Casimir
| Submission (triangle choke)
| WEC 49
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:01
|Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 9–1
| Chad Mendes
| Decision (unanimous)
| WEC 47
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Columbus, Ohio
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 9–0
| Jameel Massouh
| Decision (unanimous)
| WEC 45
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 8–0
| Tom Ahrens
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Midwest Cage Championships 20
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 3:13
|West Des Moines, Iowa
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 7–0
| Will Shutt
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Midwest Cage Championships 20
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 3:33
|West Des Moines, Iowa
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 6–0
| Joe Pearson
| Submission (triangle choke)
| Mainstream MMA 9: New Era
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:00
|Cedar Rapids, Iowa
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 5–0
| Eric Wisely
| Decision (unanimous)
| Mainstream MMA 7: Vengeance
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Cedar Rapids, Iowa
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 4–0
| TJ O'Brien
| Submission (armbar)
| Mainstream MMA 6: Evolution
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:42
|Dubuque, Iowa
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 3–0
| Tyler Combs
| TKO (punches)
| Xtreme Fighting Organization 17
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:37
|Crystal Lake, Illinois
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 2–0
| Micah Washington
| Submission (armbar)
| Mainstream MMA 5: Heavy Duty
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| N/A
|Cedar Rapids, Iowa
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 1–0
| Prentiss Wolf
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Mainstream MMA 4: Epic
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:30
|Cedar Rapids, Iowa
, United States
|
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
mixed martial artist who currently fights as a featherweight
Featherweight (MMA)
The featherweight division in mixed martial arts can refer to a number of different weight classes:*UFC's & Pancrase's featherweight division, which groups competitors within 136 to 145 lb...
in the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
.
Personal Life
Koch enrolled in Taekwondo classes at the ripe age of four peaking his interest in MMA. With help from his older brother, Keoni, who helps run an MMA gym in Eastern Iowa with Dave Sherzer (Hard Drive MMA), Erik started MMA style striking and grappling before the age of 14. Koch would later drop out of Washington High School to pursue a professional career in Mixed Martial Arts.Mixed martial arts career
Koch made his professional MMA debut in 2007. Fighting primarily in IowaIowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, he amassed an undefeated streak of 8-0 before being signed to World Extreme Cagefighting
World Extreme Cagefighting
World Extreme Cagefighting was an American mixed martial arts promotion. It was purchased by Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of Ultimate Fighting Championship , in 2006. In its final incarnation, it was made up of 3 weight classes: 135, 145 and 155 lbs. To accommodate the smaller...
. Koch is currently ranked as the #6 featherweight fighter in the world by MMAWeekly.
He was scheduled to fight Wagnney Fabiano
Wagnney Fabiano
|-|Loss|align=center|14-3| Joseph Benavidez|Submission |WEC 52||align=center|2|align=center|2:45|Las Vegas, Nevada, USA||-|Win|align=center|14-2| Frank Gomez|Decision |WEC 49||align=center|3|align=center|5:00...
at WEC 43
WEC 43
WEC 43: Cerrone vs. Henderson was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting on October 10, 2009 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.-Background:...
on September 2, 2009, but was forced to withdraw from the bout due to an undisclosed injury while training. Koch was replaced by WEC newcomer Mackens Semerzier
Mackens Semerzier
Mackens Semerzier is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter. A professional MMA competitor since 2008, Semerzier has mostly fought in Virginia...
. Now Koch is expected to make his WEC debut against Jameel Massouh
Jameel Massouh
Jameel Badih Massouh is an American mixed martial artist who is most known for competing in the featherweight division for World Extreme Cagefighting...
on December 19 for WEC 45
WEC 45
WEC 45: Cerrone vs. Ratcliff was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting that took place on December 19, 2009 at The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada. It marked the first time the WEC has held back-to-back events at The Pearl at The Palms. The event drew an estimated...
. Koch defeated Massouh via unanimous decision.
Koch was defeated by WEC newcomer Chad Mendes
Chad Mendes
Chad Edward Mendes is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.-High school:Mendes finished 8th in the state of California , wrestling for Hanford High School. In 2002, he finished 5th at 114 lbs. and in 2003, he finished third at 121 lbs...
via unanimous decision on March 6, 2010 at WEC 47
WEC 47
WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting on March 6, 2010. It was held at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio-Background:...
.
Koch rebounded from his first professional loss as he faced Bendy Casimir
Bendy Casimir
Bendy Casimir is an French professional mixed martial artist. He recently fought in the former WEC's lightweight division.-WEC career:He made his WEC debut against Ricardo Lamas on March 6, 2010 at WEC 47, losing via first round TKO....
on June 20, 2010 at WEC 49
WEC 49
WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting that took place on June 20, 2010 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.-Background:...
. He won the fight via Submission due to a Triangle Choke in the first round.
Koch was expected to face Josh Grispi
Josh Grispi
Josh Richard Grispi is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC featherweight division.-Background:Grispi started mixed martial arts training when he was 13. It was suggested to him by his dad as an outlet when he got kicked out of a paintball facility after repeated scuffles with...
on November 11, 2010 at WEC 52
WEC 52
WEC 52: Faber vs. Mizugaki was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting on November 11, 2010 at The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Background:...
. However, due to the UFC/WEC merger, the fight was scratched as Grispi was awarded a title fight with current WEC featherweight champion Jose Aldo
Jose Aldo
José Aldo is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, who competes as a featherweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he is the first and current UFC Featherweight Champion...
to determine the first ever UFC featherweight champion. Koch defeated promotional newcomer Francisco Rivera via first round TKO, earning Knockout of the Night honors.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
On October 28, 2010, World Extreme CagefightingWorld Extreme Cagefighting
World Extreme Cagefighting was an American mixed martial arts promotion. It was purchased by Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of Ultimate Fighting Championship , in 2006. In its final incarnation, it was made up of 3 weight classes: 135, 145 and 155 lbs. To accommodate the smaller...
merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.
Koch was expected to face Cub Swanson
Cub Swanson
Kevin Luke Swanson is an American mixed martial artist . He is currently signed as a featherweight with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.-World Extreme Cagefighting:...
on March 3, 2011 at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann
UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann
UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on March 3, 2011, at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky. The event was broadcast on Versus in the U.S. and Rogers Sportsnet One in Canada...
. However Swanson was forced out of the bout with an injury.
Koch faced Raphael Assunção at UFC 128
UFC 128
UFC 128: Shogun vs. Jones was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on March 19, 2011, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.-Background:...
, replacing the injured Manvel Gamburyan
Manvel Gamburyan
Manvel "Manny" Gamburyan is an Armenian American mixed martial artist. He was a cast member of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter 5. Besides The Ultimate Fighter, Gamburyan has fought for notable promotions such as King of the Cage and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.Gamburyan is fighting in the...
. He won the fight via first round knockout, earning Knockout of the Night honors.
Koch was expected to face Cub Swanson
Cub Swanson
Kevin Luke Swanson is an American mixed martial artist . He is currently signed as a featherweight with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.-World Extreme Cagefighting:...
on July 2, 2011 at UFC 132
UFC 132
UFC 132: Cruz vs. Faber was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on July 2, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.-Background:UFC 132 was originally set to feature a rematch between B.J...
. However, Swanson was forced out of the bout with another injury.
Koch faced The Ultimate Fighter 12 winner Jonathan Brookins
Jonathan Brookins
Jonathan Brookins is a mixed martial artist who competes in the featherweight and lightweight divisions. A professional MMA competitor since 2006, Brookins has mostly fought in Florida, as well as competing in The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck...
on September 17, 2011 at UFC Fight Night 25
UFC Fight Night 25
UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on September 17, 2011 at the Ernest N...
. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Koch is expected to face Dustin Poirier
Dustin Poirier
Dustin Poirier is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter, currently competing as a featherweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship...
on February 4, 2012 at UFC 143
UFC 143
UFC 143 is an upcoming mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The event is expected to take place on February 4, 2012 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Announced bouts:...
.
Championships and Accomplishments
World Extreme Cagefighting- Knockout of the night (One time)
Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Knockout of the Night (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
|-| Win
|align=center| 13–1
| Jonathan Brookins
Jonathan Brookins
Jonathan Brookins is a mixed martial artist who competes in the featherweight and lightweight divisions. A professional MMA competitor since 2006, Brookins has mostly fought in Florida, as well as competing in The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck...
| Decision (unanimous)
| UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 12–1
| Raphael Assunção
| KO (punch)
| UFC 128
UFC 128
UFC 128: Shogun vs. Jones was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on March 19, 2011, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.-Background:...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:32
|Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 11–1
| Francisco Rivera
| TKO (head kick and punches)
| WEC 52
WEC 52
WEC 52: Faber vs. Mizugaki was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting on November 11, 2010 at The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Background:...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:36
|Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 10–1
| Bendy Casimir
Bendy Casimir
Bendy Casimir is an French professional mixed martial artist. He recently fought in the former WEC's lightweight division.-WEC career:He made his WEC debut against Ricardo Lamas on March 6, 2010 at WEC 47, losing via first round TKO....
| Submission (triangle choke)
| WEC 49
WEC 49
WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting that took place on June 20, 2010 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.-Background:...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:01
|Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 9–1
| Chad Mendes
Chad Mendes
Chad Edward Mendes is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.-High school:Mendes finished 8th in the state of California , wrestling for Hanford High School. In 2002, he finished 5th at 114 lbs. and in 2003, he finished third at 121 lbs...
| Decision (unanimous)
| WEC 47
WEC 47
WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting on March 6, 2010. It was held at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio-Background:...
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 9–0
| Jameel Massouh
Jameel Massouh
Jameel Badih Massouh is an American mixed martial artist who is most known for competing in the featherweight division for World Extreme Cagefighting...
| Decision (unanimous)
| WEC 45
WEC 45
WEC 45: Cerrone vs. Ratcliff was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting that took place on December 19, 2009 at The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada. It marked the first time the WEC has held back-to-back events at The Pearl at The Palms. The event drew an estimated...
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 8–0
| Tom Ahrens
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Midwest Cage Championships 20
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 3:13
|West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines is a city in Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 46,403; a special census taken in the spring of 2005 counted 51,744 residents and the United States Census Bureau estimated that 53,889 residents lived there in...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 7–0
| Will Shutt
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Midwest Cage Championships 20
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 3:33
|West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines is a city in Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 46,403; a special census taken in the spring of 2005 counted 51,744 residents and the United States Census Bureau estimated that 53,889 residents lived there in...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 6–0
| Joe Pearson
| Submission (triangle choke)
| Mainstream MMA 9: New Era
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:00
|Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa and is the county seat of Linn County. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, north of Iowa City and east of Des Moines, the state's capital and largest city...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 5–0
| Eric Wisely
| Decision (unanimous)
| Mainstream MMA 7: Vengeance
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa and is the county seat of Linn County. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, north of Iowa City and east of Des Moines, the state's capital and largest city...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 4–0
| TJ O'Brien
| Submission (armbar)
| Mainstream MMA 6: Evolution
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:42
|Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 3–0
| Tyler Combs
| TKO (punches)
| Xtreme Fighting Organization 17
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:37
|Crystal Lake, Illinois
Crystal Lake, Illinois
Crystal Lake is a city located in southeastern McHenry County in northeastern Illinois, in the Chicago suburbs. It is named after Crystal Lake, a lake located west-southwest of downtown. Crystal Lake is also a suburb of the city of Chicago. The population was 38,000 at the 2000 census, but as of...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 2–0
| Micah Washington
| Submission (armbar)
| Mainstream MMA 5: Heavy Duty
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| N/A
|Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa and is the county seat of Linn County. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, north of Iowa City and east of Des Moines, the state's capital and largest city...
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 1–0
| Prentiss Wolf
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Mainstream MMA 4: Epic
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:30
|Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa and is the county seat of Linn County. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, north of Iowa City and east of Des Moines, the state's capital and largest city...
, United States
|