A well-travelled veteran of MMA who spent nearly 15 years competing as a professional, Benji Radach has died.
Next of kin of Radach, 45, announced the news on social media on Tuesday. No cause of death was specified.
Radach began competing as a pro in 2001, making stops in the UFC, Strikeforce, WEC, IFL, and Bellator MMA before his fighting career wrapped up in 2015. Radach shared the cage with the likes of Chris Leben, Ovince St. Preux, Bristol Marunde, and Shannon Ritch, among others.
Competing in three fights for the UFC in 2002, Radach made his welterweight debut in May of that year, and picked up a win over Steve Berger that was later overturned by the Louisiana Athletic Commission due to a fence grab, resulting in a No Contest. Two more fights followed, with Radach losing to Nick Serra by decision and Sean Sherk due to a cut.
That would spell his exit from the UFC, but Benji Radach would go on to compete for the International Fight League (IFL) in 2007, going on a tear with five straight wins in the company before dropping a middleweight title fight against Matt Horwich. Dates in Elite XC, Strikeforce, and finally Bellator MMA followed.
Radach last competed in May of 2015 at Bellator 137. Fellow veteran Shannon Ritch was among those posting tributes to the fighter in the wake of his passing.
“RIP Benji Radach can’t believe he is gone. He just posted yesterday!!! Don’t know details yet, but I’ve had more mma fights than any living fighter and I will tell you Benji hit harder than anyone I ever fought. Rest in Peace brother,” Ritch wrote on social media.
