Andrew Alirez
| Andrew Alirez | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Alirez in 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Andrew Michael Alirez (2000年08月19日) August 19, 2000 (age 25) Greeley, Colorado, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 141 lb (64 kg; 10 st 1 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Division | Bantamweight (MMA) 65 kg (wrestling) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Style | Wrestling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fighting out of | Greeley, Colorado, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | Pound 4 Pound Muay Thai Catalyst Jiu-Jitsu | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trainer | MMA: Said Saparov Jiu-jitsu: Trevor Polhamus | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years active | 2018–present | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of Northern Colorado (2019–2025) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable school | Greeley Central High School (2015–2019) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Andrew Michael Alirez (born August 19, 2000) is an American mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler. He competes at Bantamweight in MMA and 65 kilograms in wrestling.
Alirez was a four-time CHSAA champion in high school wrestling. He was a NCAA Champion in collegiate wrestling (2023). At the national level, Alirez was a two-time champion in freestyle. Internationally, he was a winner of the Poland Open (2023).
Career
[edit ]Wrestling
[edit ]2015–2019
[edit ]Alirez attended Greeley Central High School, where he was a four-time state champion, multiple-time US freestyle All-American and a U20 Pan American champion.[1]
The top-recruit in the country, Alirez committed to the University of Northern Colorado.[2]
2019–2020
[edit ]At the beginning of the year, Alirez recorded a fourth-place finish at the Dave Schultz Memorial International in freestyle, with a notable win over two-time NCAA champion Dean Heil .[3] Back to folkstyle, Alirez, a true freshman, took first at the Northern Colorado and the Cowboy Open tournaments, as well as second at the Southern Scuffle, during regular season.[4]
After a fourth-place finish at the Big 12 Championships, it was announced that the NCAA National Championships had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cutting his season short to end it with a 23–4 record.[5] [6]
2020–2021
[edit ]Before the season, Alirez claimed the US National Championship at 65 kilograms in freestyle, recording wins over US Open runner-up Joseph McKenna and veteran Evan Henderson.[7] Back to folkstyle, Alirez went 4–0 during the season before surrendering to an injury, but still qualified for the NCAA tournament.[8]
2021–2022
[edit ]After dropping down from 149 to 141 pounds, Alirez placed second and third respectively at the CKLV Invitational and the Southern Scuffle during regular season.[9] [10] Alirez then claimed his first Big 12 Championship title with wins over highly ranked wrestlers, but fell short of All-American honors at the NCAA National Championships, ending his season with a 24–5 record.[11]
2022–2023
[edit ]During regular season, Alirez compiled an undefeated record and racked up titles from the Cougar Clash Invite and the Southern Scuffle.[12] He then earned his second-straight Big 12 Championship before the National tournament.[13]
At the NCAA tournament, Alirez became the first NCAA Division I National champion in UNC's history, with hard-fought wins over Lachlan McNeil from North Carolina, Beau Bartlett from Penn State and Real Woods from University of Iowa, to close out an undefeated season with 28 wins and no losses.[14] After the season, he was named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Year, and was a Dan Hodge Trophy finalist.[15]
In July, Alirez went back to freestyle to compete at the Poland Open, where he notably took out three-time World Champion Haji Aliyev in the first round to advance and defeat All-American Josh Finesilver, and lastly, took a forfeit over Mikyay Naim to claim the title.[16]
In September, Alirez announced he would be using an Olympic redshirt for the 2023–2024 season.[17] On December, Alirez became a two-time US National champion in freestyle with wins over All-Americans Beau Bartlett and Austin DeSanto, and US Open champion Alec Pantaleo, qualifying for the 2024 US Olympic Team Trials.[18]
2024
[edit ]In April, Alirez competed at the US Olympic Team Trials, where after defeating NCAA finalist Beau Bartlett, he fell to US National champion and top-seeded Nick Lee in a tight loss, and subsequently forfeited out of the tournament.[19] In June, he fell to fellow NCAA champion Jesse Mendez at Beat the Streets.[20]
2026
[edit ]Alirez debuted for Real American Freestyle at RAF 06 on February 28, 2026, defeating Bryce Meredith by technical fall.[21]
Mixed martial arts
[edit ]In April 2026, Alirez announced that he would not attempt qualifying for the 2028 Summer Olympics in wrestling, and would instead pursue a career in mixed martial arts.[22]
Alirez won his mixed martial arts debut at Sparta Sports and Entertainment's AVM 17 event on April 25, 2026, defeating Bruce Martin by technical knockout.[23]
Mixed martial arts record
[edit ]| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1–0 | Bruce Martin | TKO (punches) | Sparta: Army vs. Marines 17 | April 25, 2026 | 1 | 0:43 | Loveland, Colorado, United States | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. |
Freestyle record
[edit ]| Senior Freestyle Matches | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Score | Date | Event | Location |
| Win | 18–4 | United States Bryce Meredith | TF 13–2 | February 28, 2026 | RAF 06 | United States Tempe, Arizona |
| Loss | 17–4 | United States Jesse Mendez | 1–4 | June 5, 2024 | 2024 Beat the Streets | United States New York City, New York |
| 2024 US Olympic Team Trials DNP at 65 kg | ||||||
| Loss | United States Nahshon Garrett | FF | April 19, 2024 | 2024 US Olympic Team Trials | United States State College, Pennsylvania | |
| Loss | 17–3 | United States Nick Lee | 9–11 | |||
| Win | 17–2 | United States Beau Bartlett | 6–2 | |||
| 2023 US Nationals 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 65 kg | ||||||
| Win | 16–2 | United States Beau Bartlett | 8–0 | December 16–17, 2023 | 2023 US Senior Nationals | |
| Win | 15–2 | United States Alec Pantaleo | 4–3 | |||
| Win | 14–2 | United States Austin DeSanto | TF 10–0 | |||
| Win | 13–2 | United States Henry Porter | TF 10–0 | |||
| 2023 Poland Open 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 65 kg | ||||||
| Win | Bulgaria Mikyay Naim | FF | July 26–30, 2023 | 2023 Poland Open | ||
| Win | 12–2 | Israel Josh Finesilver | TF 10–0 | |||
| Win | 11–2 | Azerbaijan Haji Aliyev | 8–0 | |||
| 2020 US Nationals 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 65 kg | ||||||
| Win | 10–2 | United States Evan Henderson | 5–1 | October 9–11, 2020 | 2020 US Senior Nationals | |
| Win | 9–2 | United States Yahya Thomas | 7–1 | |||
| Win | 8–2 | United States Joseph McKenna | 6–4 | |||
| Win | 7–2 | United States Mitch McKee | 11–5 | |||
| Win | 6–2 | United States Josh Heil | TF 10–0 | |||
| Win | 5–2 | United States Lawrence Saenz | TF 10–0 | |||
| 2019 Dave Schultz Memorial 4th at 65 kg | ||||||
| Loss | 4–2 | United States Bryce Meredith | 2–7 | January 24–26, 2019 | 2019 Dave Schultz Memorial International | |
| Win | 4–1 | United States Dean Heil | 12–4 | |||
| Win | 3–1 | United States Jordin Humphrey | TF 10–0 | |||
| Win | 2–1 | United States Joey Lazor | 8–2 | |||
| Loss | 1–1 | United States Bryce Meredith | 7–8 | |||
| Win | 1–0 | Canada Adam MacFadyen | TF 10–0 | |||
NCAA stats
[edit ]| Season | Year | School | Rank | Weigh Class | Record | Win | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Senior | University of Northern Colorado | #9 (DNP) | 141 | 17-3 | 85.00% | 55.00% |
| 2024 | Olympic RS | ||||||
| 2023 | Senior | #1 (1st) | 141 | 28–0 | 100.00% | 71.43% | |
| 2022 | Junior | #13 (DNP) | 23–5 | 82.14% | 35.71% | ||
| 2021 | Sophomore | #6 (DNQ) | 149 | 4–0 | 100.00% | 75.00% | |
| 2020 | Freshman | #11 | 23–4 | 85.19% | 55.56% | ||
| Career | 78–9 | 89.77% | 55.06% | ||||
References
[edit ]- ^ "UNC's Andrew Alirez captures wrestling national championship". KUSA.com. 2023年03月18日. Retrieved 2023年12月17日.
- ^ "Greeley Central's Andrew Alirez stays true to his word and signs with University of Northern Colorado". Greeley Tribune. 2018年11月14日. Retrieved 2023年12月17日.
- ^ "Greeley Central's Alirez wrestles to fourth place at Dave Schultz Memorial International". Greeley Tribune. 2019年01月26日. Retrieved 2023年12月17日.
- ^ "Alirez, Robertson Advance to Semifinals at Southern Scuffle". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2020年01月01日. Retrieved 2023年12月17日.
- ^ Falk, Steven. "NCAA Wrestling Championships: Tournament canceled due to coronavirus concerns". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved 2023年12月17日.
- ^ "Three Wrestlers Grab Scholar All-American Awards". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2020年04月24日. Retrieved 2023年12月17日.
- ^ "Alirez, Schwartz Put the Bears on the Map at Senior Nationals". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2020年10月12日. Retrieved 2023年12月17日.
- ^ Tribune, Jadyn Watson-Fisher | Greeley (2021年03月11日). "Andrew Alirez withdraws from 2021 NCAA Wrestling Championship". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2023年12月17日.
- ^ "Alirez Takes Second at CKLV". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2021年12月04日. Retrieved 2023年12月17日.
- ^ "Three Northern Colorado wrestlers place at annual Southern Scuffle". The Fort Morgan Times. 2022年01月04日. Retrieved 2023年12月17日.
- ^ Tribune, Jadyn Watson-Fisher | Greeley (2022年03月19日). "Andrew Alirez falls just short of podium, ends season at NCAA Tournament". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2023年12月17日.
- ^ "Alirez Wins 141-Pound Championship at Southern Scuffle". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2023年01月02日. Retrieved 2023年12月17日.
- ^ "Poulin and Alirez are Big 12 Champs!". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2023年03月05日. Retrieved 2023年12月17日.
- ^ "How Andrew Alirez inspired a new era for Northern Colorado wrestling | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved 2023年12月17日.
- ^ "Greeley Native Andrew Alirez Completes Perfect Season with NCAA 141-Pound Championship". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2023年03月18日. Retrieved 2023年12月17日.
- ^ "Alirez Wins Gold at Poland Open". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. 2023年07月31日. Retrieved 2023年12月17日.
- ^ "Andrew Alirez to skip UNC wrestling season to train for Paris Olympics". Greeley Tribune. 2023年09月15日. Retrieved 2023年12月17日.
- ^ "Greeley's Andrew Alirez qualifies for U.S. Olympic Team wrestling trials". Greeley Tribune. 2023年12月20日. Retrieved 2024年01月08日.
- ^ "Andrew Alirez's bid for Olympic wrestling team ends in semifinal match at US trials". Greeley Tribune. 2024年04月20日. Retrieved 2024年04月21日.
- ^ "Jesse Mendez tops Andrew Alirez in battle of NCAA champions". Beat the Streets.
- ^ Dawson, Alan (March 1, 2026). "RAF 6 results: Henry Cejudo blanks Urijah Faber; Arman Tsarukyan erupts with post-match punches". Yahoo Sports . Retrieved May 4, 2026.
- ^ King, Nolan (April 23, 2026). "NCAA champ Andrew Alirez embarks on MMA journey: 'All in on the fight'". MMA Junkie . Retrieved May 4, 2026.
- ^ Delaney, Anne (April 26, 2026). "Greeley's Andrew Alirez wins MMA debut in 43 seconds at Blue Arena in Loveland". Greeley Tribune . Retrieved May 4, 2026.
- ^ "Andrew Alirez". Tapology. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
External links
[edit ]
- Official website Edit this at Wikidata
- Andrew Michael Alirez at United World Wrestling
- Andrew Alirez at Tapology.comEdit on Wikidata
- Andrew Alirez at the International Wrestling DatabaseEdit on Wikidata