Vinc Pichel
American mixed martial arts fighter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vincent Alan Pichel[7] (born November 23, 1982) is an American former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, achieving a 7–5 record in the promotion. A professional from 2009 to 2025, Pichel was also a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter: Live.
November 23, 1982
Lancaster, California, U.S.
| Vinc Pichel | |
|---|---|
| Born | Vincent Alan Pichel November 23, 1982 Lancaster, California, U.S. |
| Other names | From Hell |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1] |
| Weight | 155.8 lb (70.7 kg; 11.13 st) |
| Division | Lightweight |
| Reach | 72 in (183 cm)[1] |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Englewood, Colorado, U.S.[2] |
| Team | Big John McCarthy's Ultimate Training Academy (2007–2012)[3] Alliance MMA (2012)[4] Peterson Grapplers (2012–2021)[4] Street Sports Simi Valley[5] Sugarfoot Training Center[5] Factory X (2021–2025)[2] |
| Rank | Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[6] |
| Years active | 2009–2025 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 19 |
| Wins | 14 |
| By knockout | 8 |
| By decision | 6 |
| Losses | 5 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Early life
Growing up in Canoga Park, Los Angeles, Pichel was expelled from multiple schools due to his behavior during his youth.[8] He never graduated, and at the age of 15 he was already using drugs which ultimately led him to get kicked out from his home by his mother. For five years he was using drugs and lacking permanent residence but after getting introduced to MMA by his friend, Pichel straightened out and started ambitiously training.[4]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Pichel compiled an amateur record of 10–1 before turning professional in 2009. He won his first seven fights by KO/TKO before trying out for The Ultimate Fighter: Live.
The Ultimate Fighter: Live
Pichel was one of 32 Lightweight fighters announced by the UFC to participate in first live season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show. Pichel advanced into the TUF house and won two bouts before losing to Al Iaquinta.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
After reaching the semifinals in The Ultimate Fighter: Live, Pichel was given an opportunity in the UFC. He made his official UFC debut on December 15, 2012. Pichel fought promotional newcomer Rustam Khabilov and lost the fight via KO due to a suplex and punches in the first round.
Pichel next fought Garett Whiteley at UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou on January 15, 2014. He won the fight by a unanimous decision.
Pichel faced Anthony Njokuani at UFC 173 on May 24, 2014.[9] He won the fight via unanimous decision. In the months after the fight, Pichel suffered a torn labrum and bicep, sidelining him for three years.
After an extended hiatus, Pichel returned to face Damien Brown on June 11, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 110.[10] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[11]
Pichel faced Joaquim Silva on January 27, 2018, at UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2.[12] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[13]
Pichel faced Gregor Gillespie on June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131.[14] He lost the fight via arm-triangle choke in the second round.[15]
Pichel faced Roosevelt Roberts on June 29, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 3.[16] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[17] The fight was the last of his prevailing contract with the UFC, making him a free agent.[18]
Pichel was scheduled to face Alexander Yakovlev on November 9, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 21[19] However, Pichel pulled out of the fight on October 24 citing an undisclosed injury and was replaced by Roosevelt Roberts.[20]
Having recovered from the hip surgery that pulled him from the Yakovlev fight, Pichel faced Jim Miller at UFC 252 on August 15, 2020.[21][22] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[23]
Pichel faced Austin Hubbard on August 21, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 29.[24] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[25]
Pichel was scheduled to face Mark Madsen on February 12, 2022, at UFC 271.[26] However, they were moved to UFC 273 for unknown reasons.[27] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[28]
Pichel was scheduled to face Jesse Ronson on October 1, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 211.[29] However, Pichel withdrew due to an undisclosed injury and was replaced by Joaquim Silva.[30]
Pichel was scheduled to face Benoît Saint-Denis on July 1, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 48.[31] However, Pichel pulled out in late-May due to injury and was replaced by Ismael Bonfim.[32]
Pichel was scheduled to face Ismael Bonfim on November 4, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 231.[33] At the weigh-ins, Ismael Bonfim weighed in at 159.5 pounds, three and a half pounds over the lightweight non-title fight limit. As a result, his scheduled bout with Ismael Bonfim was scrapped.[34] The pair was eventually rebooked for UFC 301 on May 4, 2024.[35] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[36]
Replacing Joaquim Silva who withdrew for unknown reasons, Pichel is scheduled to face Rafa García on March 29, 2025, at UFC on ESPN 64.[37] Pichel lost to García via unanimous decision.[38]
On April 28, 2025, Pichel announced his retirement from mixed martial arts competition.[39]
Personal life
Pichel formerly worked for AAA while also fighting in the UFC. Later, he went to school to become an electrician instead.[40]
Mixed martial arts record
| 19 matches | 14 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 8 | 1 |
| By submission | 0 | 1 |
| By decision | 6 | 3 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 14–5 | Rafa García | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Moreno vs. Erceg | March 29, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Loss | 14–4 | Ismael Bonfim | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 301 | May 4, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Loss | 14–3 | Mark Madsen | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 273 | April 9, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 14–2 | Austin Hubbard | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Gastelum | August 21, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 13–2 | Jim Miller | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 252 | August 15, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 12–2 | Roosevelt Roberts | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. dos Santos | June 29, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | |
| Loss | 11–2 | Gregor Gillespie | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes | June 1, 2018 | 2 | 4:06 | Utica, New York, United States | |
| Win | 11–1 | Joaquim Silva | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2 | January 27, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Charlotte, North Carolina, United States | |
| Win | 10–1 | Damien Brown | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt | June 11, 2017 | 1 | 3:37 | Auckland, New Zealand | |
| Win | 9–1 | Anthony Njokuani | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 173 | May 24, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Garett Whiteley | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou | January 15, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Duluth, Georgia, United States | |
| Loss | 7–1 | Rustam Khabilov | KO (suplex and punches) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson Finale | December 15, 2012 | 1 | 2:15 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 7–0 | David Gardner | TKO (punches) | Fight Club OC | August 18, 2011 | 2 | 1:47 | Costa Mesa, California, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Matt Bahntge | KO (punch) | All Stars Promotions MMA | March 25, 2011 | 2 | 0:32 | Commerce, California, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Emilio Chavez | TKO (punches) | Respect the Cage | January 15, 2011 | 2 | 2:52 | Pomona, California, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Rodney Rhoden | TKO (punches) | All Star Promotions: Civic Disobedience 4 | December 4, 2010 | 2 | 1:56 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Anthony McDavitt | TKO (punches) | Santa Ynez MMA | June 4, 2010 | 2 | 0:23 | Santa Ynez, California, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Miles Howard | TKO (punches) | National Fight Alliance MMA: Resurrection | December 18, 2009 | 2 | 1:05 | Ventura, California, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Franky Childs | KO (punches) | Hitman Fighting Productions | August 15, 2009 | 1 | 2:15 | Pomona, California, United States |
| Exhibition record breakdown | ||
| 4 matches | 3 wins | 1 loss |
| By submission | 2 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 3–1 | Al Iaquinta | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Live | May 25, 2012 (Live airdate) | 2 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | The Ultimate Fighter: Live Semifinal round. |
| Win | 3–0 | Chris Saunders | Decision (majority) | May 18, 2012 (Live airdate) | 2 | 5:00 | The Ultimate Fighter: Live Quarterfinal round. | ||
| Win | 2–0 | John Cofer | Submission (arm triangle choke) | April 20, 2012 (Live airdate) | 3 | 0:44 | The Ultimate Fighter: Live Preliminary round. | ||
| Win | 1–0 | Cody Pfister | Submission (rear naked choke) | March 9, 2012 (Live airdate) | 1 | 3:39 | The Ultimate Fighter: Live Elimination round. |