Early career Pichel compiled an amateur record of 10–1 before turning professional in 2009. He won his first seven fights by KO/TKO before trying out for
The Ultimate Fighter: Live.
The Ultimate Fighter: Live Pichel was one of 32 Lightweight fighters announced by the UFC to participate in first live season of
The Ultimate Fighter reality show. Pichel advanced into the TUF house and won two bouts before losing to
Al Iaquinta.
Ultimate Fighting Championship After reaching the semifinals in
The Ultimate Fighter: Live, Pichel was given an opportunity in the UFC. He made his official UFC debut on December 15, 2012. Pichel fought promotional newcomer
Rustam Khabilov and lost the fight via KO due to a suplex and punches in the first round. Pichel next fought Garett Whiteley at
UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou on January 15, 2014. He won the fight by a unanimous decision. Pichel faced
Anthony Njokuani at
UFC 173 on May 24, 2014. He won the fight via unanimous decision. In the months after the fight, Pichel suffered a torn labrum and bicep, sidelining him for three years. After an extended hiatus, Pichel returned to face
Damien Brown on June 11, 2017, at
UFC Fight Night 110. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. Pichel faced
Joaquim Silva on January 27, 2018, at
UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2. He won the fight by unanimous decision. Pichel faced
Gregor Gillespie on June 1, 2018, at
UFC Fight Night 131. He lost the fight via arm-triangle choke in the second round. Pichel faced
Roosevelt Roberts on June 29, 2019, at
UFC on ESPN 3. He won the fight via unanimous decision. The fight was the last of his prevailing contract with the UFC, making him a free agent. Pichel was scheduled to face
Alexander Yakovlev on November 9, 2019, at
UFC on ESPN+ 21 However, Pichel pulled out of the fight on October 24 citing an undisclosed injury and was replaced by
Roosevelt Roberts. Having recovered from the hip surgery that pulled him from the Yakovlev fight, Pichel faced
Jim Miller at
UFC 252 on August 15, 2020. He won the fight by unanimous decision. Pichel faced
Austin Hubbard on August 21, 2021, at
UFC on ESPN 29. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Pichel was scheduled to face
Mark Madsen on February 12, 2022, at
UFC 271. However, they were moved to
UFC 273 for unknown reasons. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Pichel was scheduled to face
Jesse Ronson on October 1, 2022, at
UFC Fight Night 211. However, Pichel withdrew due to an undisclosed injury and was replaced by
Joaquim Silva. Pichel was scheduled to face
Benoît Saint-Denis on July 1, 2023, at
UFC on ESPN 48. However, Pichel pulled out in late-May due to injury and was replaced by Ismael Bonfim. Pichel was scheduled to face Ismael Bonfim on November 4, 2023, at
UFC Fight Night 231. At the weigh-ins, Ismael Bonfim weighed in at 159.5 pounds, three and a half pounds over the lightweight non-title fight limit. As a result, his scheduled bout with Ismael Bonfim was scrapped. The pair was eventually rebooked for
UFC 301 on May 4, 2024. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Replacing
Joaquim Silva who withdrew for unknown reasons, Pichel is scheduled to face
Rafa García on March 29, 2025, at
UFC on ESPN 64. Pichel lost to García via unanimous decision. On April 28, 2025, Pichel announced his retirement from mixed martial arts competition. ==Personal life==