Alan Belcher
Active 2006–present · rated in 2 editions · peak overall 78.0
Scouting report
A Muay Thai specialist hailing from Jonesboro, Arkansas, Alan "The Talent" Belcher combined leg kicks and boxing with black-belt jiu-jitsu defense. Belcher's UFC run featured stoppage victories over Rousimar Palhares and Patrick Cote, his toolkit backed by an 82 Kickboxing rating and 78 Overall score.
Peak ratings
By edition
Belcher scored three consecutive stoppage victories between 2010 and 2012, submitting Patrick Cote, stopping Jason MacDonald and stopping Rousimar Palhares with punches and elbows at UFC on Fox 3, before losing a decision to Yushin Okami and a technical decision to Michael Bisping. His Muay Thai combinations, submission defense, and ground control are reflected in an 80 Boxing and 78 BJJ.
After a technical decision loss to Michael Bisping at UFC 159, Belcher did not fight again, and he announced his retirement in November 2015. His Muay Thai combinations, leg kicks, and black-belt submission defense are reflected in a 79 Boxing and 76 Durability score.
Alan Belcher, the Arkansas kicker with a knack for late finishes
Alan Belcher was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, took up karate at eight and Brazilian jiu-jitsu at fourteen, and had his first amateur MMA fight at fifteen. He played baseball in high school and at Dyersburg State Community College before leaving to fight. In the big promotion he won by head kick knockout over Jorge Santiago in 2006, by 53-second guillotine over Sean Salmon in 2007, and by guillotine over Denis Kang in 2009 for a $40,000 bonus. He ended his MMA career in 2015 and later became a bare-knuckle heavyweight champion.
Belcher, one rating at a time
Boxing. Rated 80. He stopped Wilson Gouveia in the first round in December 2009.
Kickboxing. The top of the card at 82. The head kick against Santiago is the best example.
Wrestling. The lowest number on his card at 72. Yushin Okami beat him by decision twice.
BJJ. Rated 78. He submitted Salmon, Kang and Patrick Cote, and lost to a D'Arce choke against Kendall Grove.
Strength. Rated 78. He replaced the injured Eric Schafer on short notice against Salmon in 2007.
Durability. Rated 78. Jason Day stopped him in the first round in 2008, and he won his next fight, a split decision over Ed Herman.
Cardio. Rated 80. He fought Yoshihiro Akiyama in July 2009 and lost a split decision in a Fight of the Night worth a record $100,000 to each man.
Fight IQ. Rated 78. He beat Rousimar Palhares by TKO in the first round in 2012 despite Palhares chasing leg locks.
Kickboxing at 82 is what you buy
Kickboxing is his top rating at 82. He grew up in karate, and the head kick that ended Santiago in the third round of a close fight in 2006 shows the training at work. He also beat Kalib Starnes in 2007 after controlling him with punches and knees from the clinch, and the fight ended on a cut. He is at his best when opponents give him room to throw.
Wrestling at 72 and the Okami fights
Wrestling is his lowest rating at 72, and the clearest evidence is Yushin Okami, who beat him by unanimous decision in his 2006 debut and again in December 2012. Michael Bisping also controlled much of their 2013 bout with pace before an eye poke ended it. Opponents who can keep him pinned to the fence are the matchups to be careful with.
Keep exploring
Closest middleweight profiles to Alan Belcher, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Rich Franklinbest boxing 82 · weakest bjj 76
- Wanderlei Silvabest boxing 86 · weakest wrestling 70
- Brad Tavaresbest durability 82 · weakest bjj 70
- Darren Tillbest boxing 87 · weakest bjj 72
- Middleweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Alan Belcher's strongest attribute, Kickboxing.
Draft Alan Belcher into your build
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Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Alan Belcher is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Alan Belcher's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.