Quick Facts
LeoBiography
Darrell Horcher (born July 28, 1987) 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 TUF 8 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 The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale. 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
- Cage Fury Fighting Championships
- CFFC lightweight championship (one time)
- Complete Devastation MMA
- CDMMA lightweight championship (one time)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 17 matches | 13 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 1 |
| By submission | 1 | 1 |
| By decision | 6 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 13–4 | Roosevelt Roberts | Submission (guillotine choke) | The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters Finale | November 30, 2018 | 1 | 4:50 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 13–3 | Scott Holtzman | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega | December 9, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Fresno, California, United States | |
| Win | 13–2 | Devin Powell | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Chiesa vs. Lee | June 25, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 12–2 | Khabib Nurmagomedov | TKO (punches) | UFC on Fox: Teixeira vs. Evans | April 16, 2016 | 2 | 3:38 | Tampa, Florida, United States | Catchweight (160 lbs) bout. |
| Win | 12–1 | Stephen Regman | TKO (punches) | CFFC 52: Horcher vs. Regman | October 31, 2015 | 3 | 3:23 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Defended the CFFC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–1 | Jordan Stiner | TKO (head kick and punches) | CFFC 45: Stiner vs. Horcher | February 7, 2015 | 3 | 3:45 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Won the vacant CFFC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–1 | Alex Ricci | Decision (unanimous) | CFFC 40: Horcher vs. Ricci | August 23, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 9–1 | Gabriel Miglioli | Decision (unanimous) | CFFC 35: Heckman vs. Makashvili | April 26, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Mike Medrano | Decision (unanimous) | CFFC 30: Sterling vs. Roberts | November 2, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Loss | 7–1 | Phillipe Nover | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 95 | April 4, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 7–0 | Chris Liguori | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 83 | December 7, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | E.J. Brooks | KO (punch) | Bellator 77 | October 19, 2012 | 1 | 0:21 | Reading, Pennsylvania, United States | Bellator Season Seven Lightweight Tournament reserve bout. |
| Win | 5–0 | George Sheppard | KO (punches) | CDMMA: Complete Devastation 5 | July 14, 2012 | 2 | 2:36 | Altoona, Pennsylvania, United States | Won the Complete Devastation Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 4–0 | Jon Washington | Decision (unanimous) | Pennsylvania Fighting Championship 6 | November 19, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Terrell Hobbs | Submission (kimura) | Pennsylvania Fighting Championship 5 | March 25, 2011 | 2 | 3:34 | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | William Metts | TKO (punches) | PFC: PA Fighting Championships 4 | November 20, 2010 | 1 | 4:40 | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Steve Franklin | TKO (punches) | Fight Night in the Cage 1 | September 10, 2010 | 1 | 0:48 | Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States |
