Alan Belcher

A professional from 2004 until 2015, he is perhaps best known for his 15-fight tenure with the UFC. He currently competes in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship where he was the BKFC Heavyweight Champion.

Belcher was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas and began practicing karate when he was eight years old. After starting Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of 14, Belcher began his amateur mixed martial arts career at the age of 15. Belcher graduated from Sloan-Hendrix High School in Imboden, Arkansas where he competed in baseball and basketball before continuing his baseball career at Dyersburg State Community College. After two semesters, he dropped out in pursuit of a career in mixed martial arts.

Early career

Belcher made his professional debut in July 2004 against Tim Ellis in Freestyle Fighting Championship and won by TKO. His MMA career then picked up significantly in early 2006, the year in which Belcher amassed 9 fights, going 8–1.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In 2006 he lost a unanimous decision at the hands of Yushin Okami at UFC 62 in his UFC debut.

Belcher made his second UFC appearance against Jorge Santiago three months later at UFC Fight Night: Sanchez vs. Riggs, winning by stunning head kick knockout in the third round of a close fight.

At UFC 69, Belcher lost to The Ultimate Fighter 3 winner Kendall Grove via D'arce choke.

One month later, Belcher stepped in on short notice to replace injured Eric Schafer against Sean Salmon at UFC 71 on May 26, 2007. Belcher won the bout via guillotine choke 53 seconds into the first round. Following the bout, Belcher signed a new four-fight contract with the UFC.

Belcher then faced Kalib Starnes at UFC 77 on October 20, 2007. After controlling the fight with punches and knees from the clinch, the fight was eventually stopped in favor of Belcher due to a large gash over Starnes' right eye.

Belcher was scheduled to fight at UFC 81 against Ricardo Almeida, but Belcher had to pull out two days before the fight due to a severe case of bronchitis and was replaced by Rob Yundt.

Belcher was scheduled to fight Patrick Côté at UFC 83 in Montreal, but Côté withdrew due to a knee injury and was replaced by Jason Day. Belcher eventually was caught by a punch causing Day to swarm punches at Belcher against the fence. The fight was ruled a TKO in favor of Day in the first round.

After a controversial split decision victory over Ed Herman, Belcher fought Pride FC veteran Denis Kang at UFC 93. Kang won the first round after taking down and controlling Belcher on the ground. However, Kang began to fight more and more conservatively, and when he tried to take Belcher down again late in the second round, Belcher caught him in a tight guillotine choke that made Kang almost immediately tap out, winning him a $40,000 Submission of the Night bonus.

Belcher lost a split decision to Yoshihiro Akiyama, at UFC 100 on July 11, 2009. The fight earned Fight of the Night honors, rewarding both fighters with a record setting $100,000.

Belcher defeated Wilson Gouveia via first round TKO on December 12, 2009, at UFC 107. During the fight, Belcher displayed a good chin and precise punches. The fight was awarded Fight of the Night which rewarded both fighters with $65,000.

Belcher defeated Patrick Côté on May 8, 2010, at UFC 113 by way of rear naked choke after a controversial face plant that rocked Cote and enabled Belcher to sneak around to the back and sink in the choke. Belcher received an extra $65,000 for winning the Submission of the Night award which was his fourth consecutive fight night bonus.

Belcher was expected to face Demian Maia on September 15, 2010, at UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Belcher in his first main event. However, on August 1, 2010, Belcher withdrew from the fight with Maia after undergoing emergency eye surgery. Alan stated on his Twitter account that he started to lose the vision in his right eye whilst in Brazil.

Belcher's manager, Malki Kawa, in April updated his recovery, saying that Belcher was back in training and looking forward to a return to the Octagon in September.

Belcher faced Jason MacDonald on September 17, 2011, at UFC Fight Night 25. Belcher stuffed a takedown from MacDonald and ended up on top early in the first round. Belcher quickly postured up and began landing punches and elbows to open Jason's guard. He then passed and continued to punish MacDonald and won the fight via verbal submission due to strikes in the first round.

Belcher next faced Rousimar Palhares on May 5, 2012, at UFC on Fox 3. Despite getting the fight to the ground, Palhares was unable to complete his attempted leg locks and heel hook submissions, and Belcher even attempted a few submissions of his own. Belcher would go on to defeat Palhares via TKO in the first round.

Belcher was expected to face Vitor Belfort on October 13, 2012, at UFC 153. However, Belfort was pulled from the bout to face Jon Jones on September 22, 2012, at UFC 152. Belcher called the collapse of the UFC 151 a "blessing in disguise" as he would have been unable to compete due to a fractured spine, keeping him out of action until November. He wanted to face Chris Weidman in his return fight.

A rematch with Yushin Okami took place on December 29, 2012, at UFC 155. Belcher lost the bout by unanimous decision.

Belcher faced Michael Bisping on April 27, 2013, at UFC 159. Bisping controlled the majority of the fight due to his conditioning and cardio pushing a constant pace. The bout was stopped at 4:29 of round 3 as Bisping inadvertently poked Belcher in the eye, rendering Belcher unable to continue. Bisping won the bout via technical unanimous decision. Belcher got eight stitches in his eyelid after the fight.

On November 11, 2015, Belcher announced his retirement from mixed martial arts. A few years afterwards, Belcher negotiated a release from his prevailing UFC contract.

Return from retirement

Belcher was set to return from retirement to face Marcus Sursa at Empire FC 5 on February 29, 2020, but the bout never materialized for unknown reasons.

Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA

Belcher faced The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights tournament winner Roy Nelson at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 6 on November 10, 2023. He won the fight via split decision.

Belcher is faced former UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior dos Santos in the main event of Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 7 for the inaugural Bareknuckle MMA Heavyweight Championship on March 2, 2024. Belcher lost by knockout in the second round.

On May 20, 2021 – over five years removed from his MMA retirement and nursing the eye injury – it was announced that Belcher had signed a multi-fight contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.

Belcher made his debut against Tony Lopez on August 20, 2021, at BKFC 20. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

He made his sophomore appearance in the sport against Bobo O'Bannon at BKFC Fight Night: Jackson on January 29, 2022. He won the bout via first-round knockout. This fight earned him the Knockout of the Night award.

He then faced Frank Tate at BKFC Fight Night: Jackson 2 on June 11, 2022. He won the bout via first-round knockout. This fight earned him another Knockout of the Night award.

BKFC Heavyweight Championship reign

Racking three straight wins in the division, Belcher challenged the reigning champion Arnold Adams for the BKFC Heavyweight Championship at BKFC 36 on February 24, 2023. He claimed the title via third-round knockout. After Belcher booked his professional boxing bout against Chase DeMoor, he was stripped of his BKFC Heavyweight title but still continues to be a part of the organization's roster.

Belcher vs. DeMoor

Belcher was originally scheduled to face professional boxer Hasim Rahman Jr. on the undercard of MF & DAZN: X Series 008 on July 22, 2023 at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. However, due to an injury, Rahman withdrew leaving Detrailous "Teddy" Webster as a late replacement. Webster failed his medicals thus resulting in reality television star, Chase DeMoor, stepping in as a replacement for an exhibition bout. On the night, Belcher defeated DeMoor via 3rd round TKO.

Belcher has a daughter and a son from a previous marriage. He currently trains an American Top Team MMA Gym located in D'Iberville, Mississippi.

Bare-knuckle boxing

• Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
  • BKFC Heavyweight Champion (One time; former)
  • Knockout of the Night (Two times) vs. Bobo O'Bannon and Frank Tate

Mixed martial arts

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama and Wilson Gouveia
  • Submission of the Night (Two times) vs. Denis Kang and Patrick Cote

Professional

Exhibition

• List of male mixed martial artists