Justin Buchholz is an Filipino-American mixed martial arts fighter and coach. Buchholz graduated from Lathrop High School in 2002, where he competed in wrestling. His fight career in Mixed Martial Arts saw him compete at the elite level within the UFC as well as hold a lightweight title outside the UFC octagon. At present Buchholz hosts his bi-weekly MMA Podcast, Stud Radio, and continues to corner fighters. In January 2016 he stepped into the role of Team Alpha Male head coach just to depart from the team in mid-January 2018.
Buchholz is a former ICON Sport and Showdown Fights Lightweight champion. He has also fought in EliteXC and he held an 8–1 record before signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
He lost his first fight in the UFC at UFC Fight Night 12 against Matt Wiman on January 23, 2008. Buchholz earned his first victory at UFC 86 against TUF 5 contestant and three-to-one favorite, Corey Hill. Buchholz was defeated by Terry Etim via D'Arce choke at UFC 99. Buchholz and Etim traded heavy kicks and punches for the first few minutes in the bout before Buchholz landed a hard right hand which broke Etim's nose. Buchholz pounced, but Etim was able to survive the round. Etim went back to his measured gameplan in round two, landing with some hard leg kicks, before hurting Buchholz with multiple knees from the clinch. A scramble ensued before the fight went to the mat and from there Etim was able to lock in the D'Arce choke to finish the fight. In his next fight, Buchholz faced Jeremy Stephens, where he lost due to a cut in the first round. Buchholz was defeated by Mac Danzig on February 6, 2010 at UFC 109. He was subsequently released from the UFC.
Independent
Buchholz fell to a fourth straight defeat on February 25, 2011 in his first post UFC fight as he lost to Jason Meaders via TKO in the first round. Buchholz picked up a win on April 16, 2011 defeating Steve Sharp by submission in the first round. Buchholz then fought fellow UFC veteran Steve LopezMay 21, 2011 at SCC - Superior Cage Combat 1. Buchholz won by a kick. Buchholz defeated Thiago Meller via unanimous decision on August 20, 2011 at SCC - Superior Cage Combat 2. Buchholz had a rematch with Clay Collard, which he lost by split decision. On September 20, 2017 Buchholz accepted a short notice fight against Marques Facine at AFC 133 and won via TKO in round 1. Facine fell off the mat and Buchholz started unleashing soccer kicks to the body, his last attempt grazed Facine's head before the referee called for a stoppage. The referee awarded the win to Buchholz calling the last kick as accidental and it did not decide the outcome of the fight as Facine was defenseless in absorbing the kicks to the body.
