Fighter Profile: Erik Koch

Koch (right) defeated Jameel Massouh in his WEC debut at WEC 45 and was sponsored by ProFighting-fans.com.

Overall Record: 10-1

Hometown: Cedar Rapids, IA

Height: 5’ 10” Weight: 145

Age: 21

Erik “New Breed” Koch is a mixed martial artist who is known as primarily a submission specialist. Koch, who has been listed as a professional for the last two years, is associated with Team Hybrid Faction. Koch is one of the newest signees for the WEC and he will compete in the 145-pound division.

Debuting in January of 2007, Koch recorded two victories in the Iowa-based Mainstream MMA organization. He stopped both Prentiss Wolff and Micah Washington with 1st round stoppages. In June of 2007, Koch defeated the tough Tyler Combs at XFO 17 with his superior striking, winning via 1st round TKO.

With a perfect 3-0 record, “New Breed” returned to the Mainstream MMA organization for their 6th, 7th, and 9th shows. He submitted TJ O’Brien with a 1st round armbar, won a unanimous decision over Eric Wisely, and then submitted Joe Pearson with a triangle choke submission to bring his record to 6-0.

With his career beginning to gain momentum, Koch signed with another mid-level Iowa-based organization with the Midwest Cage Championship. He entered the organization’s one-night tournament dubbed “Last Man Standing” and won both of his bouts via 2nd round rear naked choke submissions. He initially stopped Tom Ahrens and then stopped Will Shutt to move his record to 8-0.

His unbeaten record and finishing touches has earned him an opportunity to show his skills on the big show with the WEC. He was originally supposed to fight Wagnney Fabiano at WEC 43 in September, but after suffering an injury while training, he had to withdraw. He will now face Jameel Massouh at WEC 45 this month in his debut as a WEC featherweight.

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Erik Koch Professional Career - Recent MMA News:

• Defeated Jameel Massouh by Unanimous Decision at WEC 45 on December 19, 2009 - WEC 45 results

• Lost to Chad Mendes at WEC 47 on March 6, 2010 - WEC 47 results

• Defeated Bendy Casimir via Submission at WEC 49 on June 20, 2010 - WEC 49 results

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer
Published December 2009, Updated January 2010

Photo courtesy of WEC