UFC Veteran Benji Radach dead at 45

Family members of UFC and mixed martial arts veteran Benji Radach announced his passing on Monday.  He was 45.  

Radach made his professional MMA debut in March 2001.  He began his career on a 10-fight win streak, finishing eight of his first ten opponents via knockout.  He was signed by the UFC in 2002 and made his octagon debut at UFC 37 in Bossier City, Louisiana.  He stopped Steve Berger with punches but the fight was later ruled a a no contest by the Louisiana Athletic Commission due to Radach holding the fence.

He officially picked up his first octagon win at UFC 37.5 in June 2022, defeating Nick Serra, brother of former welterweight champion Matt Serra, by unanimous decision.  He was defeated by future lightweight champion Sean Sherk in his third promotional appearance at UFC 39.  

After spending some time on the regional circuit, Radach landed in the International Fight League (IFL) in 2007 and fought for the promotion’s inaugural middleweight championship.  He picked up his final career win in October 2004, defeating Murilo Rua via TKO in ElitXC.  

Radach last fought at Bellator 137 in May 2015.  His career record stands at 21–7, 1 NC.  The cause of death remains unknown at the time.