Darrell Horcher


Darrell Horcher is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight division of the UFC. A professional since 2010, he formerly competed for Bellator and the Cage Fury Fighting Championships, where he was the Lightweight Champion.

Background

Born in Chicago and raised in Shermans Dale, Pennsylvania, Horcher began wrestling during his freshman year at West Perry High School, graduating in 2005. Later, he transitioned to mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Horcher compiled an amateur record of 4-1 before turning professional in September 2010, Horcher fought all of his earlier fights in Pennsylvania-based promotions. With a record of 5-0, he signed with Bellator in 2012.

Bellator MMA

Horcher made his Bellator debut against then-undefeated E.J. Brooks in a Bellator season seven lightweight tournament reserve bout on October 19, 2012 at Bellator 77. Despite coming in as an underdog, Horcher won the fight via knockout in just 21 seconds into first round.
Horcher then faced Chris Liguori at Bellator 83 on December 7, 2012. Horcher won the fight via unanimous decision.
Horcher was handed his first professional loss via unanimous decision to former contestant Phillipe Nover at Bellator 95.

Cage Fury Fighting Championships

After his stint in Bellator, Horcher was expected to face Mike Bannon at CFFC 25 on June 22, 2013. However, the bout was cancelled for unknown reasons.
Horcher faced Mike Medrano at CFFC 30: Sterling vs. Roberts on November 2, 2013. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Horcher faced Gabriel Miglioli at CFFC 35: Heckman vs. Makashvili on April 26, 2014. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Horcher was expected to face Gil de Freitas at CES 25 on August 8, 2014. However, the fight was cancelled for unknown reasons.
Horcher faced Alex Ricci at CFFC 40: Horcher vs. Ricci on August 23, 2014. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Horcher faced Jordan Stiner for the vacant CFFC lightweight championship at CFFC 45: Stiner vs. Horcher on February 7, 2015. He won the fight via TKO in the third round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Horcher was tabbed as a short notice replacement to face Khabib Nurmagomedov on April 16, 2016 at UFC on Fox 19. The contest took place at a catchweight of 160 lbs. He lost the fight via second-round TKO.
Horcher faced Devin Powell on June 25, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 112. He won the fight via split decision.
Horcher faced Scott Holtzman on December 9, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 123. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Horcher faced promotional newcomer Roosevelt Roberts on November 30, 2018 at. He lost the fight via a guillotine choke in round one.
Horcher was released by UFC in December 2019.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts