Brilz made his MMA debut in 2000. 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 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 then returned six months later to fight
Tim Boetsch and won via unanimous decision at
UFC 96. 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 vs. 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. 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. 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 was expected to face undefeated
Phil Davis on April 30, 2011, at
UFC 129, but Davis pulled from that bout and fought Brilz'
UFC 114 opponent
Antônio Rogério Nogueira at
UFC Fight Night 24, replacing an injured
Tito Ortiz. 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 On November 16, 2012, Brilz then won against Will Dicke by KO 19 seconds into the second round. Brilz was expected to face
Vinny Magalhaes at
Titan FC 28 on April 25, 2014, however, Magalhaes was forced out of the bout due to injury, and was replaced by
Raphael Davis. Brilz won the fight via split decision. The fight with Magalhaes was re-booked and set to take place on September 26, 2014 at Titan FC 30, for the vacant Titan FC Light Heavyweight Championship. Brilz lost via guillotine choke submission in the fourth round. ==Personal life==