Seth Baczynski

Seth Baczynski (born October 26, 1981) is an American professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter currently competing in the Middleweight division.

A professional since 2006, Baczynski has formerly competed for the UFC, and was a cast member of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz and The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption.

He has also fought for top promotions such as the International Fight League, Tachi Palace Fights, World Lethwei Championship, and the Legacy Fighting Alliance.

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii and raised in Apache Junction, Arizona, Baczysnki played football and basketball growing up.

Upon graduating from Apache Junction High School, Baczynski began to train in mixed martial arts.

Baczynski's paternal great-grandfather was an immigrant from Poland.

Baczynski began fighting in 2006, making his debut at a Rage in the Cage event.

Baczynski lost the fight to Shane Johnson via kneebar submission in round one.

Baczynski bounced back from the loss and won three straight fights, all for Rage in the Cage.

He then signed a contract with the International Fight League.

He debuted for the promotion against Brent Beauparlant, losing via decision.

He was given a second chance, and fought Dan Molina.

The fight ended with Baczynski, again, on the losing end.

Baczynski was released from the IFL after the loss.

Baczynski obtained a 7–1 record after being released from the IFL.

He then fought up and comer Roger Bowling, losing by vicious KO only nine seconds into round one.

Baczynski won a fight against Tom Nguyen at a Wild Bill's Fight Night event.

He was then selected to be a part of The Ultimate Fighter.

Baczynski was selected as one of the 28 competitors for the eleventh season of the Ultimate Fighter.

To get onto the show and become one of the 14 fighters, Baczynski had to fight Court McGee.

After three rounds, the judges awarded the win to McGee, sending Baczynski home.

After a fighter was injured and forced out of the competition, Baczynski was given the injured fighter's spot.

In his first fight back he fought Team Liddell's last pick, Joseph Henle.

Baczynski won the fight via three round unanimous decision and moved onto the quarter-final round.

In the quarter-final round, Baczynski faced rival team member and friend Brad Tavares.

As the first round ended, Baczynski threw an illegal soccer kick to the head of Tavares.

Baczynski immediately apologized, knowing he could have seriously hurt Tavares, who went to his corner and slumped.

After discussing the matter with the doctors, Herb Dean stopped the fight and Tavares was declared the winner by disqualification, advancing him to the semi-finals.

On April 9, 2011, Baczynski became the Interim Ringside MMA Welterweight Champion when he TKO'd formerly undefeated prospect Alex Garcia at Ringside MMA 10.

Baczynski returned to the UFC facing Clay Harvison on September 17, 2011, at UFC Fight Night 25, replacing an injured DaMarques Johnson.

He won the fight via submission in the second round.

In 2017, he returned to TUF 25, ultimately losing by unanimous decision to Gilbert Smith.

Baczynski made his UFC debut in a rematch against Brad Tavares at The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale.

After three close rounds, Baczynski lost the fight via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28).

Due to his loss to Tavares, Baczynski was subsequently released from the UFC.

Soon after being released from the UFC, Baczynski was reportedly signed by Strikeforce and was scheduled to make his promotional debut at ShoMMA 10: Riggs vs. Taylor against Erik Apple.

However, Apple was forced to pull out of the fight and a replacement was not named.

He then fought UFC and WEC veteran, Tim McKenzie, at Tachi Palace Fights 7.

The fight was ended after Baczynski escaped from a near fight ending armbar submission hold, which ended up breaking his arm, and knocked McKenzie out with elbows.

McKenzie appealed the result to the CSAC.