Mixed Martial Arts Career
Horwich developed his impressive skills as a submission specialist training with Team Quest as well as BJJ black belts B.J. Penn and Eddie Bravo. He has also trained extensively with accomplished Kickboxer and Muay Thai Fighter Chris Reilly. Matt Horwich earned the nickname nickname "The Fighting Hippy" due to his extremely unique personality and interests.
Before signing with the International Fight League's Portland Wolfpack, Matt Horwich amassed a strong record of 15-6-1 fighting in small promotions. His popularity and well-fought 5-3 record while there led the IFL to match him against Benji Radach at the World Grand Prix Finals to determine the first middleweight champion. Horwich outstandingly defeated the noted striker by Knockout in the second round, becoming the IFL's first ever middleweight champion.
Matt Horwich then signed with the UFC after the IFL folded and made his debut at UFC 90. His opponent, none other than the latest IFL middleweight champion Dan Miller. Horwich came close to sinking in a fight-ending choke in this exciting bout as the clock suspensefully ticked at the final part of the second round. Despite his wholehearted efforts, Miller controlled most of the first and third rounds and took the unanimous decision. Horwich then made his second UFC appearance at UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann against Ricardo Almeida which resulted in a second decision loss and his release from the company.
After that, he debuted with Bellator Fighting Championship and then Aggression MMA where he came back with a solid, split-decision victory over Jason Lambert. This very well-fought rematch took place in Alberta, Canada as Horwich successfully returned to his winning ways.
Horwich fought Tom 'Kong' Watson at BAMMA3 as a late replacement for Alex Reid on 15 May 2010 and lost. It was his first fight in Britain.
Horwich beat Thales Leites, former UFC Middleweight contender, in an upset on August 14.
On September 9, 2010, Horwich fought Bellator season two semifinalist Eric Schambari, losing via split decision.
Horwich then defeated Jake Rosholt by technical knockout in the third round at Xtreme Fight Night – Rosholt vs. Horwich in November 2010.
At Shark Fights 14: Horwich vs. Villefort on March 11, 2011, Horwich squared off with UFC and WEC veteran Danillo Villefort, losing by unanimous decision after being controlled both on the feet and the floor for the entirety of the 15-minute affair.
Horwich faced a rematch with Jake Rosholt at Shark Fights 17: Horwich vs. Rosholt 2 on July 15, 2011, losing by unanimous decision. Rosholt used his wresting to neutralize any attempt at a takedown and utilized a much improved striking game to win the nod from the judges.
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