It has been a long time coming for bantamweight Anthony Birchak.
The 28-year-old will make his much anticipated UFC debut against Ian Entwistle to kick off UFC on FOX 13: Dos Santos vs. Miocic Saturday night. This matchup closes out a roller-coaster of a year for the former MFC champion.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Watch UFC on FOX 13 Saturday on Sportsnet 360 with prelims starting at 5 p.m. EST and the main card at 8 p.m. EST
Last year was a much different story. Gaining notoriety on the regional circuit, Birchak stepped up into international waters last year when he competed for the Canadian-based Maximum Fighting Championship. His stock rose immediately when he won the promotion’s inaugural 135-pound title – in just his second MFC fight – defeating Tito Jones at MFC 38 in October. The championship victory was a signature moment in his career, but unfortunately it was also the last time he’s fought.
Birchak suffered an injury this past May and was released from the MFC in August after visa issues prevented him from fighting in Canada. But he wasn’t without a home for long as the UFC signed him shortly after that and booked him to fight Joe Soto at UFC 177 in August. Unfortunately, his promotional debut never materialized due to a last-minute switch in the main event. Instead of Birchak, it was Soto who received the opportunity of a lifetime, replacing challenger Renan Barao – who wasn’t medically cleared to fight – against champion T.J. DIllashaw. Soto ended up losing the fight and Birchak was left on the sidelines yet again.
“[At time time] I told the UFC I would have taken that Dillashaw match in a heartbeat,” Birchak told Sportsnet. “I think I match up very well against him.”
Soto earned the nod over Birchak because he was a former world champion himself and the fact he’s a California resident, which the UFC believed would be more attractive to fans with the event being held in Sacramento. Birchak was offered a fight against Scott Jorgensen – who was also in need of a last-minute opponent – but the WEC veteran turned the fight down.
“I’ve never seen someone say no faster than [Jorgensen and his camp] said no,” Birchak revealed. “It was the first time in 28 years that I cried because I could not fight.”
Despite his inactivity this year, this situation has become a blessing in disguise for Birchak. Not only is he fighting Saturday in his home state of Arizona, but he’s also had the opportunity to train with the renowned Jackson-Winkeljohn team for this camp. Birchack met UFC featherweight Cub Swanson at the UFC Fan Expo this past July and was invited up to Albuquerque a few months later. Birchak was brought in to help Swanson train for his fight with Frankie Edgar. Birchak believes training with such a prestigious camp gives him a huge advantage heading into his fight with Entwistle.
“I know Ian is not working with anybody the calibre of Swanson, Damacio Page or [Donald] Cowboy Cerrone,” Birchak said. “And then coupled with the creativity of coach Greg Jackson, Brandon Gibson and coach [Winkeljohn] it almost validates the fact I’m right here with these top contenders in the world; I’m meant to be here.”
In saying this, Birchack isn’t shy about acknowledging where his opponent can be dangerous in this fight.
“He’s a very wild fighter, he’s hyper aggressive. The guys got a great heel hook game. He’ll do a bunch of sacrifice moves. He’s hell bent on really ripping your leg off and take shots to the face for it. He’s really going to try to finish me early in the first round.”
It’s no secret the biggest factor heading into this fight for Birchak is his time away from the cage. But as he quickly pointed out, this extended layoff has allowed him to improve on his skill set.
“I don’t believe in ring rust it’s not like I’ve been sitting on the couch for the last year. I’ve been in a training camp since March, April this past year. I can finish him in the first or second as long as I stay composed and as long as I stay within my set of skills. I’m looking to stuff the takedowns and beat this kid up on the feet.”
While the first step in his UFC title aspirations is taking out Entwhistle, Birchack didn’t hold back about other potential suitors he’d like to square off with next.
“I do want the Joe Soto fight simply because he [lost to Dillashaw] then got put into the [Top 15 rankings] which was kind of bizarre. And then I see guys like Urijah Faber winning off eye pokes. I would like to fight Faber next and not looking past Ian at all. I’m here to fight the best in the world and you know Urijah is riding this controversial win, so I think Urijah would be a cool fight for me.”