Barb Honchak Explained

Barb Honchak
Other Names:Little Warrior
Birth Name:Barbara Marie Honchak
Birth Date:30 August 1979
Birth Place:Edwardsville, Illinois, United States
Residence:St. Louis, Missouri, United States[1]
Weight:125lb
Weight Class:Flyweight
Reach:66 in
Style:Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Fighting Out Of:High Ridge, Missouri, United States
Team:Fit or Fight Berger's MMA (formerly)
Miletich Fighting Systems (2012–2015)
Catalyst Fight House (2017–2018)[2]
Years Active:2007–2018
Mma Kowin:1
Mma Subwin:2
Mma Decwin:7
Mma Koloss:1
Mma Decloss:3
Sherdog:41484

Barbara Marie Honchak (born August 30, 1979)[3] is a retired American professional female mixed martial artist.[4] She is the first Invicta FC Flyweight Champion.[5] She has four wins in the Invicta FC promotion and holds notable victories over Vanessa Porto, Roxanne Modafferi, Leslie Smith and Felice Herrig.

Background

Honchak grew up in Edwardsville, Illinois, and has one sister, Tammy. In her youth, Barb loved outdoor activities like horseback riding, scuba diving and camping. She went to Edwardsville High School, where she graduated in 1997. Then she earned an associate degree from Lewis & Clark Community College. She has a bachelor's degree in molecular biology from Western Washington University and her master's in ecological genetics from Northern Arizona University.[6] She is married to her husband, Timm.[7]

After receiving her degrees, she moved back to Midwest because of her fiancée's career, and started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu for self-defense under Steve Berger at the age of 26.[8] From there on, she quickly took an amateur mixed martial arts bout and was hooked to the sport.

Mixed martial arts career

Honchak went 8–1 as an amateur mixed martial artist and made her professional debut on November 28, 2009.

In her fourth professional fight, Honchak defeated Felice Herrig at Hoosier FC 6 on January 14, 2011.[9]

Honchak won three more fights in 2011, defeating Amber McAvoy and Nina Ansaroff by decision[10] [11] and Roxanne Modafferi by submission due to a rear-naked choke.[12]

Invicta Fighting Championships

As the first bout of her three-fight contract, Honchak made her Invicta Fighting Championships debut on July 28, 2012, at Invicta FC 2: Baszler vs. McMann.[13] [14] She defeated Bethany Marshall by TKO in the second round.[15] [16]

On October 28, 2012, Honchak faced Aisling Daly at Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama.[17] She defeated Daly by unanimous decision.[18] [19]

The victory over Daly earned Honchak a shot at the inaugural Invicta FC Flyweight title on April 5, 2013, at Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson.[20] She defeated Vanessa Porto by unanimous decision to become the first Invicta FC Flyweight Champion.[21] [22]

Honchak faced Leslie Smith at Invicta FC 7: Honchak vs. Smith on December 7, 2013.[23] [24] She successfully defended her Invicta FC title, winning via unanimous decision. The bout earned both fighters the Fight of the Night honors.[25]

Honchak faced Takayo Hashi at Invicta FC 9 on November 1, 2014, and successfully defended her title with another unanimous decision victory. As a result of relocating, she had problems finding a team to train in, which in turn led to the stripping of her title due to inactivity.[26]

The Ultimate Fighter

In August 2017, it was announced that after a few years away from the sport Honchak would be one of the fighters featured on The Ultimate Fighter 26, where the process to crown the UFC's inaugural 125-pound Women's Champion will take place.[27]

In the first round, Honchak defeated Gillian Robertson via TKO in the second round, allowing her to move on to the next stage of the competition.[28] In the quarterfinals, Honchak faced Rachael Ostovich-Berdon and won the fight by unanimous decision after two rounds.[29] In the semifinals, Honchak faced Nicco Montaño. She lost the fight via unanimous decision after three rounds.[30]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Honchak was scheduled to face Roxanne Modafferi on December 1, 2017, at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale.[31] However, on the day of the weigh in, Sijara Eubanks was pulled from the fight for kidney failure while trying to make weight and she was replaced by Modafferi to face Nicco Montaño. Honchak instead faced Lauren Murphy.[32] [33] She lost the back-and-forth fight by split decision.[34]

The rematch between Honchak and Roxanne Modafferi was rescheduled to take place July 6, 2018, at UFC TUF 27 Finale.[35] Honchak lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.[36]

Honchak was released by the UFC in August 2018.[37] She has retired since.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Loss|align=center| 10–4|Roxanne Modafferi|TKO (elbows)|The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated Finale ||align=center|2|align=center|3:32|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||- |Loss|align=center| 10–3|Lauren Murphy|Decision (split)|The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion Finale ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-| Win| align=center | 10–2| Takayo Hashi| Decision (unanimous)| Invicta FC 9: Honchak vs. Hashi| | align=center | 5| align=center | 5:00| Davenport, Iowa, United States| |-| Win| align=center | 9–2| Leslie Smith| Decision (unanimous)| Invicta FC 7: Honchak vs. Smith| | align=center | 5| align=center | 5:00| Kansas City, Missouri, United States| |-| Win| align=center | 8–2| Vanessa Porto| Decision (unanimous)| Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson| | align=center | 5| align=center | 5:00| Kansas City, Missouri, United States| |-| Win| align=center | 7–2| Aisling Daly| Decision (unanimous)| Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama| | align=center | 3| align=center | 5:00| Kansas City, Kansas, United States||-| Win| align=center | 6–2| Bethany Marshall| TKO (punches)| Invicta FC 2: Baszler vs. McMann| | align=center | 2| align=center | 1:22| Kansas City, Kansas, United States||-| Win| align=center | 5–2| Roxanne Modafferi| Submission (rear-naked choke)| BEP 5: Breast Cancer Beatdown| | align=center | 3| align=center | 1:46| Fletcher, North Carolina, United States||-| Win| align=center | 4–2| Nina Ansaroff| Decision (unanimous)| Crowbar MMA: Spring Brawl 2| | align=center | 3| align=center | 5:00| Fargo, North Dakota, United States||-| Win| align=center | 3–2| Amber McAvoy| Decision (unanimous)| WC: Wright Fights 2| | align=center | 3| align=center | 5:00| St. Charles, Missouri, United States||-| Win| align=center | 2–2| Felice Herrig| Decision (unanimous)| Hoosier FC 6: New Years Nemesis| | align=center | 3| align=center | 5:00| Valparaiso, Indiana, United States||-| Loss| align=center | 1–2| Angela Magaña| Decision (split)| Ultimate Women Challenge| | align=center | 3| align=center | 5:00| St George, Utah, United States||-| Loss| align=center | 1–1| Cat Zingano| Decision (unanimous)| Fight to Win: Phenoms| | align=center | 3| align=center | 5:00| Denver, Colorado, United States||-| Win| align=center | 1–0| Monica Lovato| Submission (rear-naked choke)| KOTC: Horse Power| | align=center | 2| align=center | 3:58| Mescalero, New Mexico, United States|

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

|-| Loss| align=center | 2–1| Nicco Montaño| Decision (unanimous)|rowspan=3| | (air date)| align=Center | 3| align=center | 5:00|rowspan=3| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States| |-|-| Win| align=center | 2–0| Rachael Ostovich-Berdon| Decision (unanimous)| (air date)| align=Center | 2| align=center | 5:00| |-| Win| align=center | 1–0| Gillian Robertson| TKO (punches and elbows)| (air date)| align=center | 2| align=center | 2:27|

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Barb Honchak Awakening Profile . Awakeningfighters.com . 2014-02-25.
  2. The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale: Barb Honchak full media day interview. MMAjunkie.com. November 30, 2017. YouTube.
  3. http://boxing.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/boxingnvgov/content/results/2018_Results/07-06-18MMA.2.pdf “TUF FINALE” MIXED MARTIAL ARTS SHOW RESULTS DATE: July 6, 2018
  4. Web site: Barb Honchak MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography – Sherdog.com . Sherdog.com . 2013-04-16.
  5. Web site: INVICTA FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS 5 RESULTS . InvictaFC.com . 2013-04-08 . 2013-04-16 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130804001901/http://invictafc.com/2013/04/invicta-fighting-championships-5-results/ . 2013-08-04 .
  6. Web site: Where has Barb Honchak been the last two-plus years? The answer isn't such an easy one. May 24, 2017.
  7. Web site: Barb Honchak finds unlikely talent with help of legendary family . SI.com . 2013-04-05 . 2013-04-16.
  8. EP 27 Interview With MMA World Champ Barb Honchak. October 27, 2019. Marc Ritorto.
  9. Web site: Barb Honchak Defeats Felice Herrig At Hoosier Fight Club 6 . MMARising.com . 2011-01-15 . 2013-05-01.
  10. Web site: Weekend Recap: Barb Honchak, Maiju Kujala Earn Victories . MMARising.com . 2011-03-13 . 2013-05-01.
  11. Web site: Crowbar MMA: Spring Brawl 2 Live Play-By-Play & Results . MMARising.com . 2011-04-29 . 2013-05-01.
  12. Web site: BlackEye Promotions 5 Live Play-By-Play & Results . MMARising.com . 2011-10-01 . 2013-05-01.
  13. Web site: "That's my little girl". May 16, 2013. Steve Horrell. Edwardsville Intelligencer.
  14. Web site: Tickets for July 28 Invicta FC 2 Mcmann vs Baszler Star Studded Women's MMA Event at Memorial Hall in Kansas City Kan on Sale Friday . InvictaFC.com . 2012-05-29 . 2013-05-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120706035810/http://invictafc.com/2012/05/tickets-for-july-28-invicta-fc-2-mcmann-vs-baszler-star-studded-womens-mma-event-at-memorial-hall-in-kansas-city-kan-on-sale-friday/ . 2012-07-06 .
  15. Web site: Invicta FC 2 Results: McMann, Davis & Carmouche Victorious . MMARising.com . 2012-07-29 . 2013-05-01.
  16. Web site: Women's MMA Report: Invicta FC stages successful second show, plans for third . MMAjunkie.com . 2012-07-31 . 2013-05-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130420171700/http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2012/07/womens-mma-report-invicta-fc-stages-successful-second-show-plans-for-third . 2013-04-20 .
  17. Web site: Invicta FC Announces Full 13 Bout Line-up for Third Event on Oct 6 . InvictaFC.com . 2012-08-15 . 2013-05-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121101085305/http://invictafc.com/2012/08/invicta-fc-announces-full-13-bout-line-up-for-third-event-on-oct-6/ . 2012-11-01 .
  18. Web site: Invicta FC 3 Results: Jessica Penne Captures Atomweight Title . MMARising.com . 2012-10-06 . 2013-05-01.
  19. Web site: Invicta FC 3 results: Penne claims promotion's first belt, Baszler cruises past D'Alelio . MMAjunkie.com . 2012-10-06 . 2013-05-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130414102332/http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2012/10/invicta-fc-3-results . 2013-04-14 .
  20. Web site: FIGHTING WORDS: COREY SMITH SPEAKS WITH INVICTA FC 5 FLYWEIGHT TITLE HOPEFUL BARB HONCHAK . InvictaFC.com . 2013-03-07 . 2013-05-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130426183258/http://invictafc.com/2013/03/fighting-words-corey-smith-speaks-with-invicta-fc-5-flyweight-title-hopeful-barb-honchak/ . 2013-04-26 .
  21. Web site: Invicta FC 5 Results: Michelle Waterson, Barb Honchak Win Titles . MMARising.com . 2013-04-06 . 2013-05-01.
  22. Web site: Invicta FC 5 results: Waterson upsets Penne to win atomweight title . MMAjunkie.com . 2013-04-05 . 2013-05-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130512060700/http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/04/invicta-fc-5-penne-vs-waterson-live-results . 2013-05-12 .
  23. Web site: INVICTA FC 7 COMING TO KANSAS CITY ON DECEMBER 7TH . InvictaFC.com . 2013-10-11 . 2013-10-17.
  24. Web site: Barb Honchak vs Leslie Smith Title Bout Set For Invicta FC 7 . MMARising.com . 2013-10-11 . 2013-10-17.
  25. Web site: Invicta FC 7 Bonuses: Honchak vs Smith Named Fight Of The Night. December 7, 2013. mmarising.com. Robert Sargent.
  26. Barb Honchak talks life after MMA, reflects on flyweight legacy. Drake Riggs. February 4, 2020. YouTube.
  27. News: 'The Ultimate Fighter 26' cast revealed: Who's vying to become 1st UFC women's flyweight champ?. 2017-08-06. MMAjunkie. 2017-11-30. en-US.
  28. News: The Ultimate Fighter 26, Episode 7 results: Melinda Fabian vs. Rachael Ostovich. MMA Fighting. 2017-11-30.
  29. News: Episode No. 10 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 26: A New World Champion'. 2017-11-16. MMAjunkie. 2017-11-30. en-US.
  30. News: Episode No. 11 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 26: A New World Champion'. 2017-11-23. MMAjunkie. 2017-11-30. en-US.
  31. News: Tournament final/inaugural title fight set as part of Friday's official TUF 26 Finale lineup. 2017-11-30. MMAjunkie. 2017-11-30. en-US.
  32. News: Roxanne Modafferi replaces Sijara Eubanks in TUF 26 Finale's inaugural title fight. 2017-11-30. MMAjunkie. 2017-11-30. en-US.
  33. News: 'TUF 26' finalist Sijara Eubanks breaks silence on weight miss that scrapped UFC title shot. 2017-11-30. MMAjunkie. 2017-11-30. en-US.
  34. News: TUF 26 Finale results: Lauren Murphy edges Barb Honchak in three-round thriller. 2017-12-02. MMAjunkie. 2017-12-02. en-US.
  35. News: Roxanne Modafferi vs. Barb Honchak rebooked for TUF 27 Finale. MMA Fighting. 2018-04-20.
  36. News: TUF 27 Finale results: Roxanne Modafferi TKOs Barb Honchak for long-awaited UFC win. 2018-07-07. MMAjunkie. 2018-07-07. en-US.
  37. Web site: Former Invicta flyweight champion Barb Honchak released from the UFC. 2019-02-05. The Body Lock. en-US. 2019-02-05.
  38. Web site: WMMA 2013 Awards . Awakening Fighters.