Education
University of Nebraska at Omaha.
University of Nebraska at Omaha.
He formerly fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the Light Heavyweight division. Along with his state title, Brilz was an Academic All-American in 1993. Brilz made his Mobile Marketing Association debut in 2000.
Brilz finally secured his debut deal to fight in his native Omaha, Nebraska, at the UFC Fight Night 15 event.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Brilz defeated Brad Morris in his UFC debut via TKO (punches) midway through the second round. Brilz" first loss in the UFC (and second in his career) came at the hands of The Ultimate Fighter 8 veteran Eliot Marshall, as Brilz lost via split decision, which was regarded as a controversial decision.
Brilz bounced back against Eric Schafer at UFC Live: Vera versus Jones, defeating him via unanimous decision.
At UFC 114, Antônio Rogério Nogueira was scheduled to fight Forrest Griffin.
However, Griffin had to pull out of the bout due to a shoulder injury, which left his slot open. With less than a month before the fight, Brilz stepped in to fight Nogueira. Brilz was expected to face former IFL Light Heavyweight Champion Vladimir Matyushenko on November 13, 2010, at UFC 122.
However, Brilz was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Alexandre Ferreira.
Brilz instead faced Vladimir Matyushenko at the event and lost via KO 20 seconds into the first round. Brilz faced Ryan Bader on November 19, 2011 at UFC 139.
In the opening round, Bader caught Brilz with a straight right above the ear that knocked him out. Subsequently, Brilz was released from the promotion.
Titan Fighting Championships
Brilz was expected to face Vinny Magalhaes at Titan Football Club 28 on April 25, 2014, however, Magalhaes was forced out of the bout due to injury, and was replaced by Raphael Davis.
The fight with Magalhaes was re-booked and set to take place on September 26, 2014 at Titan Football Club 30, for the vacant Titan Football Club Light Heavyweight Championship. Brilz lost via guillotine choke submission in the fourth round.
Brilz won the Nebraska Class A state championship in 1993 wrestling for Omaha Central High School. A school that was ranked the 10th best athletic program in the nation by Sports Illustrated in 2008. At the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Brilz was a three time Academic All-American, a four-year letter winner and compiled a 63–34 career record. He went on to achieve an 11-win streak and has entered into various talks with the UFC throughout the years with the aim of joining the organization. Brilz then returned six months later to fight Tim Boetsch and won via unanimous decision at UFC 96. In a controversial split decision in which Brilz seemed to control the duration of the fight, Nogueira was declared the winner. The bout won Fight of the Night honors. On November 16, 2012, Brilz then won against Will Dicke by KO 19 seconds into the second round. Brilz won the fight via split decision.