{{Short description|American mixed martial artist (born 2000)}} {{Infobox martial artist | name = Andrew Alirez | nickname = | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = Alirez in 2021 | birth_name = Andrew Michael Alirez | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|08|19}} | birth_place = Greeley, Colorado, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | residence = | ethnicity = | height = 5 ft 6 in | weight = 141lb | weight_class = Bantamweight (MMA)<br />65 kg (wrestling) | reach = | style = Wrestling | stance = | fighting_out_of = Greeley, Colorado, U.S. | team = Pound 4 Pound Muay Thai<br/>Catalyst Jiu-Jitsu | trainer = MMA: Said Saparov<br/>Jiu-jitsu: Trevor Polhamus | rank = | wrestling = | years_active = 2018–present | mma_kowin = 1 | mma_subwin = | mma_decwin = | mma_koloss = | mma_subloss = | mma_decloss = | mma_draw = | mma_nc = | university = University of Northern Colorado (2019–2025) | school = Greeley Central High School (2015–2019) | relatives = | url = | sherdog = | footnotes = | updated = | medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport | Men's freestyle wrestling}} {{Medal|Country| the {{USA}}}} {{MedalCompetition| International Tournaments }} {{Medal|Gold| 2023 Warsaw | 65 kg }} {{Medal|Competition | US National Championships }} {{Medal|Gold| 2020 Coralville | 65 kg }} {{Medal|Gold| 2023 Fort Worth | 65 kg }} {{Medal|Competition | U20 Pan American Championships }} {{Medal|Gold| 2018 Fortaleza | 65 kg }} {{Medal|Sport| Men's collegiate wrestling }} {{Medal|Country| the }} Northern Colorado Bears {{Medal|Competition| NCAA Division I Championships }} {{Medal|Gold| 2023 Tulsa | 141 lb }} {{Medal|Competition| Big 12 Championships }} {{Medal|Gold| 2022 Tulsa | 141 lb }} {{Medal|Gold| 2023 Tulsa | 141 lb }} {{Medal|Bronze| 2025 Tulsa | 141 lb }} | show-medals = yes }}
'''Andrew Michael Alirez '''(born August 19, 2000) is an American mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler. He competes at Bantamweight in MMA and 65 kilograms in wrestling.
Alirez was a four-time CHSAA champion in high school wrestling. He was a NCAA Champion in collegiate wrestling (2023). At the national level, Alirez was a two-time champion in freestyle. Internationally, he was a winner of the Poland Open (2023).
==Career==
=== Wrestling ===
==== 2015–2019 ==== Alirez attended Greeley Central High School, where he was a four-time state champion, multiple-time US freestyle All-American and a U20 Pan American champion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-18 |title=UNC's Andrew Alirez captures wrestling national championship |url=https://www.9news.com/article/sports/ncaa/andrew-alirez-captures-ncaa-wrestling-national-championship/73-7b28775e-3465-46f3-bf60-52cb92b99bbd |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=KUSA.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
The top-recruit in the country, Alirez committed to the University of Northern Colorado.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-11-14 |title=Greeley Central’s Andrew Alirez stays true to his word and signs with University of Northern Colorado |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2018/11/14/greeley-centrals-andrew-alirez-stays-true-to-his-word-and-signs-with-university-of-northern-colorado/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=Greeley Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>
==== 2019–2020 ==== At the beginning of the year, Alirez recorded a fourth-place finish at the Dave Schultz Memorial International in freestyle, with a notable win over two-time NCAA champion Dean Heil .<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-01-26 |title=Greeley Central’s Alirez wrestles to fourth place at Dave Schultz Memorial International |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2019/01/26/greeley-centrals-alirez-wrestles-to-fourth-place-at-dave-schultz-memorial-international/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=Greeley Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> Back to folkstyle, Alirez, a true freshman, took first at the Northern Colorado and the Cowboy Open tournaments, as well as second at the Southern Scuffle, during regular season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-01 |title=Alirez, Robertson Advance to Semifinals at Southern Scuffle |url=https://uncbears.com/news/2020/1/1/wrestling-alirez-robertson-advance-to-semifinals-at-southern-scuffle.aspx |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=University of Northern Colorado Athletics |language=en}}</ref>
After a fourth-place finish at the Big 12 Championships, it was announced that the NCAA National Championships had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cutting his season short to end it with a 23–4 record.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Falk |first=Steven |title=NCAA Wrestling Championships: Tournament canceled due to coronavirus concerns |url=https://www.app.com/story/sports/college/rutgers/2020/03/12/ncaa-wrestling-championships-tournament-cancelled-due-coronavirus/5032438002/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=Asbury Park Press |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-24 |title=Three Wrestlers Grab Scholar All-American Awards |url=https://uncbears.com/news/2020/4/24/wrestling-three-wrestlers-grab-scholar-all-american-awards.aspx |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=University of Northern Colorado Athletics |language=en}}</ref>
==== 2020–2021 ==== Before the season, Alirez claimed the US National Championship at 65 kilograms in freestyle, recording wins over US Open runner-up Joseph McKenna and veteran Evan Henderson.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-12 |title=Alirez, Schwartz Put the Bears on the Map at Senior Nationals |url=https://uncbears.com/news/2020/10/12/wrestling-alirez-schwartz-put-the-bears-on-the-map-at-senior-nationals.aspx |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=University of Northern Colorado Athletics |language=en}}</ref> Back to folkstyle, Alirez went 4–0 during the season before surrendering to an injury, but still qualified for the NCAA tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Jadyn Watson-Fisher {{!}} Greeley |date=2021-03-11 |title=Andrew Alirez withdraws from 2021 NCAA Wrestling Championship |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2021/03/11/andrew-alirez-withdraws-from-2021-ncaa-wrestling-championship/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=Greeley Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>
==== 2021–2022 ==== After dropping down from 149 to 141 pounds, Alirez placed second and third respectively at the CKLV Invitational and the Southern Scuffle during regular season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-04 |title=Alirez Takes Second at CKLV |url=https://uncbears.com/news/2021/12/4/wrestling-alirez-takes-second-at-cklv.aspx |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=University of Northern Colorado Athletics |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-04 |title=Three Northern Colorado wrestlers place at annual Southern Scuffle |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2022/01/04/three-northern-colorado-wrestlers-place-southern-scuffle-2022/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=The Fort Morgan Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Alirez then claimed his first Big 12 Championship title with wins over highly ranked wrestlers, but fell short of All-American honors at the NCAA National Championships, ending his season with a 24–5 record.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Jadyn Watson-Fisher {{!}} Greeley |date=2022-03-19 |title=Andrew Alirez falls just short of podium, ends season at NCAA Tournament |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2022/03/18/northern-colorado-wrestling-andrew-alirez-ends-2022-ncaa-championship/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=Greeley Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>
==== 2022–2023 ==== During regular season, Alirez compiled an undefeated record and racked up titles from the Cougar Clash Invite and the Southern Scuffle.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-02 |title=Alirez Wins 141-Pound Championship at Southern Scuffle |url=https://uncbears.com/news/2023/1/2/wrestling-alirez-wins-141-pound-championship-at-southern-scuffle.aspx |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=University of Northern Colorado Athletics |language=en}}</ref> He then earned his second-straight Big 12 Championship before the National tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-05 |title=Poulin and Alirez are Big 12 Champs! |url=https://uncbears.com/news/2023/3/5/wrestling-recap.aspx |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=University of Northern Colorado Athletics |language=en}}</ref>
At the NCAA tournament, Alirez became the first NCAA Division I National champion in UNC's history, with hard-fought wins over Lachlan McNeil from North Carolina, Beau Bartlett from Penn State and Real Woods from University of Iowa, to close out an undefeated season with 28 wins and no losses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Andrew Alirez inspired a new era for Northern Colorado wrestling {{!}} NCAA.com |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling/article/2023-09-19/how-andrew-alirez-inspired-new-era-northern-colorado-wrestling |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=www.ncaa.com |language=en}}</ref> After the season, he was named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Year, and was a Dan Hodge Trophy finalist.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-18 |title=Greeley Native Andrew Alirez Completes Perfect Season with NCAA 141-Pound Championship |url=https://uncbears.com/news/2023/3/18/wrestling-greeley-native-andrew-alirez-completes-perfect-season-with-ncaa-141-pound-championship.aspx |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=University of Northern Colorado Athletics |language=en}}</ref>
In July, Alirez went back to freestyle to compete at the Poland Open, where he notably took out three-time World Champion Haji Aliyev in the first round to advance and defeat All-American Josh Finesilver, and lastly, took a forfeit over Mikyay Naim to claim the title.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-31 |title=Alirez Wins Gold at Poland Open |url=https://uncbears.com/news/2023/7/31/wrestling-alirez-wins-gold-at-poland-open.aspx |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=University of Northern Colorado Athletics |language=en}}</ref>
In September, Alirez announced he would be using an Olympic redshirt for the 2023–2024 season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-15 |title=Andrew Alirez to skip UNC wrestling season to train for Paris Olympics |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2023/09/15/andrew-alirez-to-skip-unc-wrestling-season-to-train-for-paris-olympics/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=Greeley Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> On December, Alirez became a two-time US National champion in freestyle with wins over All-Americans Beau Bartlett and Austin DeSanto, and US Open champion Alec Pantaleo, qualifying for the 2024 US Olympic Team Trials.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-20 |title=Greeley’s Andrew Alirez qualifies for U.S. Olympic Team wrestling trials |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2023/12/19/greeleys-andrew-alirez-qualifies-for-u-s-olympic-team-wrestling-trials/ |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=Greeley Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>
==== 2024 ==== In April, Alirez competed at the US Olympic Team Trials, where after defeating NCAA finalist Beau Bartlett, he fell to US National champion and top-seeded Nick Lee in a tight loss, and subsequently forfeited out of the tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-20 |title=Andrew Alirez’s bid for Olympic wrestling team ends in semifinal match at US trials |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2024/04/19/andrew-alirezs-bid-for-olympic-wrestling-team-ends-in-semifinal-match-at-us-trials/ |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=Greeley Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> In June, he fell to fellow NCAA champion Jesse Mendez at Beat the Streets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jesse Mendez tops Andrew Alirez in battle of NCAA champions |url=https://www.btsny.org/es/post/jesse-mendez-andrew-alirez-ncaa-champions-2024-beat-the-streets-annual-benefit-match-results |website=Beat the Streets}}</ref>
==== 2026 ==== Alirez debuted for Real American Freestyle at RAF 06 on February 28, 2026, defeating Bryce Meredith by technical fall.<ref name="v299">{{cite web | last=Dawson | first=Alan | title=RAF 6 results: Henry Cejudo blanks Urijah Faber; Arman Tsarukyan erupts with post-match punches | website=Yahoo Sports | date=March 1, 2026 | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/wrestling/breaking-news/live/raf-6-live-results-round-by-round-updates-start-time-for-henry-cejudo-vs-urijah-faber-wrestling-card-073001824.html | access-date=May 4, 2026}}</ref>
=== Mixed martial arts ===
In April 2026, Alirez announced that he would not attempt qualifying for the 2028 Summer Olympics in wrestling, and would instead pursue a career in mixed martial arts.<ref name="u745">{{cite web | last=King | first=Nolan | title=NCAA champ Andrew Alirez embarks on MMA journey: 'All in on the fight' | website=MMA Junkie | date=April 23, 2026 | url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/mma/2026/04/23/mma-andrew-alirez-wrestling-pro-fighter-debut-northern-colorado-university/89740957007/ | access-date=May 4, 2026}}</ref>
Alirez won his mixed martial arts debut at Sparta Sports and Entertainment's AVM 17 event on April 25, 2026, defeating Bruce Martin by technical knockout.<ref name="x936">{{cite web | last=Delaney | first=Anne | title=Greeley's Andrew Alirez wins MMA debut in 43 seconds at Blue Arena in Loveland | website=Greeley Tribune | date=April 26, 2026 | url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2026/04/26/greeleys-andrew-alirez-wins-mma-debut-fight-blue-arena-loveland/ | access-date=May 4, 2026}}</ref>
== Mixed martial arts record == {{MMArecordbox | ko-wins = 1 | sub-wins = | dec-wins = | ko-losses = | sub-losses = | dec-losses = }} {{MMA record start}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|1–0 |Bruce Martin |TKO (punches) |Sparta: Army vs. Marines 17 |{{dts|2026|April|25}} |align=center|1 |align=center|0:43 |Loveland, Colorado, United States |{{small|Catchweight (140 lb) bout.}} {{end}} <ref name="r067">{{cite web | title=Andrew Alirez | website=Tapology | url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/552165-andrew-alirez | access-date=May 4, 2026}}</ref>
== Freestyle record == {{s-start}} ! colspan="7"| Senior Freestyle Matches |- ! Res. ! Record ! Opponent ! Score ! Date ! Event ! Location |- |{{yes2}}Win |18–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Bryce Meredith |style="font-size:88%"|TF 13–2 |style="font-size:88%"|February 28, 2026 |style="font-size:88%"|RAF 06 |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Tempe, Arizona |- |{{no2}}Loss |17–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Jesse Mendez |style="font-size:88%"|1–4 |style="font-size:88%"|June 5, 2024 |style="font-size:88%"|2024 Beat the Streets |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;"|{{flagicon|USA}} New York City, New York |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |{{small| 2024 US Olympic Team Trials DNP at 65 kg}} |- |{{no2}}Loss | |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Nahshon Garrett |style="font-size:88%"|FF |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=3|April 19, 2024 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=3|2024 US Olympic Team Trials |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=3|{{flagicon|USA}} State College, Pennsylvania |- |{{no2}}Loss |17–3 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Nick Lee |style="font-size:88%"|9–11 |- |{{yes2}}Win |17–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Beau Bartlett |style="font-size:88%"|6–2 |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |{{small| 2023 US Nationals {{gold1}} at 65 kg}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |16–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Beau Bartlett |style="font-size:88%"|8–0 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|December 16–17, 2023 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|2023 US Senior Nationals |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=4| {{flagicon|USA}} Fort Worth, Texas |- |{{yes2}}Win |15–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Alec Pantaleo |style="font-size:88%"|4–3 |- |{{yes2}}Win |14–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Austin DeSanto |style="font-size:88%"|TF 10–0 |- |{{yes2}}Win |13–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Henry Porter |style="font-size:88%"|TF 10–0 |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |{{small| 2023 Poland Open {{gold1}} at 65 kg}} |- |{{yes2}}Win | |align=left|{{flagicon|BUL}} Mikyay Naim |style="font-size:88%"|FF |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=3|July 26–30, 2023 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=3|2023 Poland Open |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=3| {{flagicon|POL}} Warsaw, Poland |- |{{yes2}}Win |12–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|ISR}} Josh Finesilver |style="font-size:88%"|TF 10–0 |- |{{yes2}}Win |11–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|AZE}} Haji Aliyev |style="font-size:88%"|8–0 |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |{{small| 2020 US Nationals {{gold1}} at 65 kg}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |10–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Evan Henderson |style="font-size:88%"|5–1 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=6|October 9–11, 2020 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=6|2020 US Senior Nationals |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=6| {{flagicon|USA}} Coralville, Iowa |- |{{yes2}}Win |9–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Yahya Thomas |style="font-size:88%"|7–1 |- |{{yes2}}Win |8–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Joseph McKenna |style="font-size:88%"|6–4 |- |{{yes2}}Win |7–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Mitch McKee |style="font-size:88%"|11–5 |- |{{yes2}}Win |6–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Josh Heil |style="font-size:88%"|TF 10–0 |- |{{yes2}}Win |5–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Lawrence Saenz |style="font-size:88%"|TF 10–0 |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |{{small| 2019 Dave Schultz Memorial 4th at 65 kg}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |4–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Bryce Meredith |style="font-size:88%"|2–7 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=6|January 24–26, 2019 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=6|2019 Dave Schultz Memorial International |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=6| {{flagicon|USA}} Colorado Springs, Colorado |- |{{yes2}}Win |4–1 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Dean Heil |style="font-size:88%"|12–4 |- |{{yes2}}Win |3–1 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Jordin Humphrey |style="font-size:88%"|TF 10–0 |- |{{yes2}}Win |2–1 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Joey Lazor |style="font-size:88%"|8–2 |- |{{no2}}Loss |1–1 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Bryce Meredith |style="font-size:88%"|7–8 |- |{{yes2}}Win |1–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|CAN}} Adam MacFadyen |style="font-size:88%"|TF 10–0 |- {{end}}
== NCAA stats ==
{{s-start}} ! Season ! Year ! School ! Rank ! Weigh Class ! Record ! Win ! Bonus |- |2025 |Senior |rowspan=6|University of Northern Colorado |#9 (DNP) |rowspan=2|141 |17-3 |85.00% |55.00% |- |2024 |Olympic RS | | | | |- |2023 |Senior |#1 (1st) |rowspan=2|141 |28–0 |100.00% |71.43% |- |2022 |Junior |#13 (DNP) |23–5 |82.14% |35.71% |- |2021 |Sophomore |#6 (DNQ) |rowspan=2|149 |4–0 |100.00% |75.00% |- |2020 |Freshman |#11 |23–4 |85.19% |55.56% |- |colspan=5 bgcolor="LIGHTGREY"|'''Career''' |bgcolor="LIGHTGREY"|'''78–9''' |bgcolor="LIGHTGREY"|'''89.77%''' |bgcolor="LIGHTGREY"|'''55.06%''' {{end}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons}} *{{Official website}} *{{UWW|alirez-andrew-michael|Andrew Michael Alirez}} *{{sports links}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alirez, Andrew}} Category:2000 births Category:American male sport wrestlers Category:Living people Category:Mixed martial artists from Colorado Category:Northern Colorado Bears wrestlers Category:Real American Freestyle male wrestlers Category:Sportspeople from Greeley, Colorado