Kyle Noke

Kyle Noke
Born	(1980-03-18) 18 March 1980 (age 43) Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia
Other names	KO
Residence	Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight	170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
Division	Middleweight (2006–2012) Welterweight (2002–2006), (2012–present)
Reach	76 in (190 cm) [1]
Style	Boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling
Fighting out of	Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Team	Jackson's Submission Fighting Integrated Martial Arts
Years active	2002–2016
Mixed martial arts record
Total	33
Wins	22
By knockout	9
By submission	7
By decision	6
Losses	10
By knockout	1
By submission	3
By decision	6
Draws	1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Kyle Noke (born 18 March 1980) is an Australian retired mixed martial artist who competed as a Welterweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2002, Noke has also fought for EliteXC.

Background

Noke, originally from Dubbo, in New South Wales, competed in various sports growing up including rugby, and began training in mixed martial arts in 2002. Noke also worked in security; guarding "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, ^[2] Noke serving as Irwin's bodyguard for three years during Irwin's heyday as host of the Australian-based nature show. Noke's job was eventually changed to train "The Crocodile Hunter" between filming sessions. Noke and another bodyguard worked with Irwin on boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wrestling. During his time with Irwin, Noke bounced between the U.S. and Australia as he continued to rack up professional victories; he found the tutelage of renowned trainer Greg Jackson. In September 2006 Noke got word that Irwin had died. He went back to security at the zoo where Irwin worked but soon afterward decided that he needed to go after his dream of being a mixed martial artist. ^[3]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Noke made his professional MMA debut in November 2002. Over the next five years, Noke fought in his native Australia and amassed a record of 13–3–1. During this time, he split a pair of matches with fellow future UFC fighter George Sotiropoulos.

EliteXC

Noke made his United States MMA debut in November 2007 as he defeated Seth Kleinbeck via TKO due to cuts at EliteXC: Renegade. Noke returned to the promotion in February 2008, losing via KO to Scott Smith at EliteXC: Street Certified.

The Ultimate Fighter

Noke was a participant on the UFC reality show The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz in 2010. After winning his preliminary fight to enter the house, Kyle was chosen for the first fight against Team Ortiz member Clayton McKinney and won via triangle choke in the first round. ^[4]

In the quarter-finals, Noke was selected to face rival team member and good friend Kris McCray. Although Noke was highly touted and favored to win, he eventually began to succumb to the multiple takedowns by McCray, which Noke had little answer to gaining position or escaping and lost the fight via unanimous decision after three rounds.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Noke made his UFC debut against TUF teammate Josh Bryant at The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale. After putting in a dominant first round, Noke won via second-round TKO.

Noke defeated Rob Kimmons on 13 November 2010 at UFC 122 at 1:33 in the second round via rear naked choke. ^[5]

Noke faced Chris Camozzi on 27 February 2011 at UFC 127. ^[6] Noke defeated Camozzi in the first round with a rear-naked choke. Noke was also awarded Submission of the Night bonus.

Noke was expected to face Tom Lawlor on 14 August 2011 at UFC on Versus 5. ^[7] Lawlor, however, pulled out of the bout due to an injury in early July 2011. Ed Herman replaced Lawlor on the card. ^[8] After defending multiple submission attempts from Herman, Noke finally tapped to an inverted heelhook 4:15 in the first round. Noke was clearly in pain from the submission, and he needed help to walk out of the octagon.

Noke was expected to face Jared Hamman on 3 March 2012 at UFC on FX 2, but Hamman was forced to withdraw with an injury and replaced by Andrew Craig. ^[9] After a dominant first round by Noke, Craig took control in the next two rounds and Noke lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Noke made his welterweight debut against Charlie Brenneman on 22 September at UFC 152. ^[10] Noke defeated Brenneman via TKO only 45 seconds into the first round.

Noke was expected to face Seth Baczynski on 15 December 2012 at UFC on FX 6. ^[11] However, Noke pulled out of the bout citing a shoulder injury and was replaced by Mike Pierce. ^[12]

In June 2013, it was announced that Noke would be coaching The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia, opposite Patrick Côté. ^{[13] [14] [15]} The reality show features welterweights and Middleweights. ^[16] The coaches faced each other on 16 April 2014 at The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale. ^[17] Noke lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Noke was expected to face Yoshihiro Akiyama on 20 September 2014 at UFC Fight Night 52. ^[18] However, Noke was forced out of the bout with a knee injury. ^[19]

Noke was expected to face Andreas Ståhl on 10 May 2015 at UFC Fight Night 65. ^[20] However, on 2 April, it was announced that Ståhl pulled out of the fight due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by promotional newcomer Jonavin Webb. ^[21] Noke won the fight via split decision. ^[22]

Noke faced Peter Sobotta on 15 November 2015 at UFC 193. ^[23] He won the fight via TKO in the first round after dropping Sobotta with a body kick and following up with punches on the ground. ^[24] The victory also produced a Performance of the Night award for Noke. ^[25]

Noke was expected to face Kelvin Gastelum on 2 January 2016 at UFC 195. ^[26] However 22 December, Gastelum was forced to pull out due to a wrist injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Alex Morono. ^[27] Noke lost the bout via split decision. ^[28]

Noke next faced Keita Nakamura on 13 July 2016 at UFC Fight Night 91. ^[29] He lost the fight via submission (rear-naked choke) in the final seconds of the second round. ^[30]

Noke was expected to face Dominique Steele on 27 November 2016 at UFC Fight Night 101. ^[31] However, Steele pulled out of the fight on 21 October and was replaced by Omari Akhmedov. ^[32] Noke lost the fight via unanimous decision and subsequently announced his retirement shortly after. ^{[33] [34]}

Retirement and comeback

In October 2017, 10 months after his retirement announcement, Noke announced plans for an attempted comeback and step into the cage again. ^{[35] [36]} As of March 2019, Noke does not have timetable on a possible return.

Championships and achievements

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Submission of the Night (One time) vs. Chris Camozzi
  • Performance of the Night (One time)
• Xtreme Fighting Championships (Australia)
  • XFC Middleweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown

33 matches	22 wins	10 losses
By knockout	9	1
By submission	7	3
By decision	6	6
Draws	1

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	22–10–1	Omari Akhmedov	Decision (unanimous)	UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Brunson	27 November 2016	3	5:00	Melbourne, Australia
Loss	22–9–1	Keita Nakamura	Submission (rear-naked choke)	UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker	13 July 2016	2	4:59	Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Loss	22–8–1	Alex Morono	Decision (split)	UFC 195	2 January 2016	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	22–7–1	Peter Sobotta	TKO (body kick and punches)	UFC 193	15 November 2015	1	2:01	Melbourne, Australia	Performance of the Night.
Win	21–7–1	Jonavin Webb	Decision (split)	UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt	10 May 2015	3	5:00	Adelaide, Australia
Loss	20–7–1	Patrick Côté	Decision (unanimous)	The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale: Bisping vs. Kennedy	16 April 2014	3	5:00	Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Win	20–6–1	Charlie Brenneman	TKO (punches)	UFC 152	22 September 2012	1	0:45	Toronto, Ontario, Canada	Welterweight debut.
Loss	19–6–1	Andrew Craig	Decision (unanimous)	UFC on FX: Alves vs. Kampmann	3 March 2012	3	5:00	Sydney, Australia
Loss	19–5–1	Ed Herman	Submission (inverted heel hook)	UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle	14 August 2011	1	4:15	Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Win	19–4–1	Chris Camozzi	Submission (rear-naked choke)	UFC 127	27 February 2011	1	1:35	Sydney, Australia	Submission of the Night.
Win	18–4–1	Rob Kimmons	Submission (rear-naked choke)	UFC 122	13 November 2010	2	1:33	Oberhausen, Germany
Win	17–4–1	Josh Bryant	TKO (punches)	The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale	19 June 2010	2	3:12	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	16–4–1	Kyacey Uscola	Decision (unanimous)	Top Combat Championship	26 September 2009	3	5:00	Hato Rey, Puerto Rico
Win	15–4–1	Yoann Gouaida	Submission (rear-naked choke)	Cage Fighting Championships 4	23 May 2008	1	1:43	Sydney, Australia
Loss	14–4–1	Scott Smith	KO (punch)	EliteXC: Street Certified	16 February 2008	2	0:07	Miami, Florida, United States
Win	14–3–1	Seth Kleinbeck	TKO (doctor stoppage)	EliteXC: Renegade	10 November 2007	2	4:22	Corpus Christi, Texas, United States
Draw	13–3–1	Hector Lombard	Draw	Cage Fighting Championship 1	28 July 2007	3	5:00	Gold Coast, Australia
Win	13–3	Brian Ebersole	Decision (majority)	XFC 12: Oktoberfist	13 October 2006	5	5:00	Sydney, Australia	Won the XFC Middleweight Championship.
Win	12–3	Yusaku Tsukumo	Submission (triangle choke)	Warriors Realm 6	24 June 2006	1	1:14	Brisbane, Australia
Loss	11–3	George Sotiropoulos	Decision (unanimous)	Warriors Realm 5	25 February 2006	5	5:00	Geelong Australia
Win	11–2	Byron Donnelly	Decision (unanimous)	Warriors Realm 4	2 July 2005	2	5:00	Geelong, Australia
Win	10–2	George Sotiropoulos	Decision (split)	Warriors Realm 4	2 July 2005	2	5:00	Geelong, Australia
Win	9–2	Luke Pezutti	TKO (punches)	Warriors Realm 3	12 March 2005	1	5:00	Brisbane, Australia
Loss	8–2	Katsuya Inoue	Decision (split)	Warriors Realm 2	10 December 2004	3	5:00	Sunshine Coast, Australia
Win	8–1	Rhys Whitmore	Submission (triangle choke)	Warriors Realm 1	3 September 2004	1	0:38	Sunshine Coast, Australia
Win	7–1	Matt Te-Paa	Decision (split)	XFC 5: When Worlds Collide	13 August 2004	3	5:00	Southport, Australia
Win	6–1	Mike Sethna	Submission (kneebar)	Xtreme Fight Club 2	5 June 2004	3	1:58	Richlands, Australia
Win	5–1	Jimmy Raborn	Submission (rear-naked choke)	XFC 4: Australia vs. The World	19 March 2004	2	1:30	Southport, Australia
Loss	4–1	Noriyuki Hayakawa	Submission (armbar)	Xtreme Fighting Championships 3	14 November 2003	3	1:33	Southport, Australia
Win	4–0	Neil Swailes	TKO (punches)	Xtreme Fighting Championships 2	30 August 2003	2	2:24	Southport, Australia
Win	3–0	Adrian Bolton	TKO (punches)	Xtreme Fighting Championships 1	4 May 2003	1	2:34	Southport, Australia
Win	2–0	Ulf Strand	TKO (punches)	Spartan Reality Fight 6	5 April 2003	2	1:21	New South Wales, Australia
Win	1–0	Peter Robbie	TKO (submission to punches)	Spartan Reality Fight 5	30 November 2002	1	2:25	New South Wales, Australia

^[37]

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

Exhibition record breakdown
3 matches	2 wins	1 loss
By knockout	0	0
By submission	1	0
By decision	1	1

Result	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	2–1	Kris McCray	Decision (unanimous)	The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz		3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada	Quarter-finals
Win	2–0	Clayton McKinney	Submission (triangle choke)	The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz		1	2:44	Las Vegas, Nevada	Preliminary bout
Win	1–0	Warren Thompson	Decision (unanimous)	The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz		2	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada	Elimination bout

See also

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

References

1. "Fight Card – TUF Nations Finale Bisping vs. Kennedy". UFC.com. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
2. "Kyle Noke | UFC". 14 September 2018.
3. "Meet "The Ultimate Fighter 11" cast: Crocodile Hunter bodyguard Kyle Noke | MMAjunkie.com". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 10 April 2010.
4. Brady, Cory (27 January 2010). "TUF 11 Exclusive: Kyle Noke joins The Ultimate Fighter Season 11". FiveOuncesOfPain.com. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
5. "UFC 122 Play-by-Play: Kyle Noke vs. Rob Kimmons". MMA Weekly. 13 November 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
6. "Kyle Noke Heads Home To Australia To Face Chris Camozzi at UFC 127". MMA Weekly. 29 November 2010.
7. "With Maiquel Falcao cut, Tom Lawlor moved to UFC on Versus 5, meets Kyle Noke". mmajunkie.com. 2 June 2011.
8. "Tom Lawlor Injured, Off UFC on Versus 5 Card, Ed Herman Now Faces Kyle Noke". bloodyelbow.com. 8 July 2011.
9. "Andrew Craig replaces Jared Hamman, meets Kyle Noke at UFC on FX 2". 1 January 2012. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012.
10. "Noke-Brenneman moved to UFC 152 in Toronto". mmajunkie.com. 23 August 2012. Archived from the original on 25 August 2012.
11. "Kyle Noke meets Seth Baczynski at UFC on FX 6 in Australia". MMAjunkie.com. 11 October 2012. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
12. "Mike Pierce replaces Kyle Noke, meets Seth Baczynski at UFC on FX 6". mmajunkie.com. 31 October 2012. Archived from the original on 18 November 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
13. "Patrick Cote and Kyle Noke to coach 'TUF Nations: Canada vs. Australia'". 14 June 2013.
14. "Cote vs. Noke for 'TUF Nations' reality series". 14 June 2013.
15. Erickson, Matt (21 December 2012). "Bobby Voelker moves over from Strikeforce, meets Patrick Cote at UFC 158". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on 23 December 2012.
16. "Cast Revealed For Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada Vs. Australia". TopMMANews.com. 5 December 2012.
17. "UFC Headed To Quebec City For April 16 Event". TopMMANews.com. 10 December 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
18. C.J. Tuttle (9 July 2014). "Yoshihiro Akiyama Returns to the Octagon on Sept. 20". sherdog.com. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
19. Tristen Critchfield (7 August 2014). "Kyle Noke Injures Knee, Pulls Out of Sept. 20 UFC Fight Night Bout vs. Akiyama". sherdog.com. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
20. Staff (3 March 2015). "Kyle Noke gets home fight, meets Andreas Stahl at UFC Fight Night 65". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
21. Jason Floyd (2 April 2015). "Jonavin Webb signs with the UFC, replaces Andreas Stahl at UFC Fight Night 65 against Kyle Noke". themmareport.com. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
22. Brent Brookhouse (10 May 2015). "UFC Fight Night 65 results: Kyle Noke gets split-decision win over Jonavin Webb". mmajunkie.com.
23. Emma Shallands (20 August 2015). "Etihad Stadium official for UFC 193, a host of Australian fighters announced for lineup". fightnewsaustralia.com. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
24. Matt Erickson (14 November 2015). "UFC 193 results: Thundering Kyle Noke front kick TKO blasts Peter Sobotta into agony". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
25. Mike Sloan (15 November 2015). "UFC 193 Bonuses: Holly Holm nets extra $100,000; Ronda Rousey, Kyle Noke get $50K". sherdog.com. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
26. "Kelvin Gastelum vs. Kyle Noke welterweight bout added to UFC 195". sherdog.com. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
27. Danny Segura (22 December 2015). "Injured Kelvin Gastelum out of UFC 195". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
28. Ben Fowlkes (2 January 2016). "UFC 195 results: Alex Morono upsets 4–1 favorite Kyle Noke on 11 days' notice". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
29. Staff (21 April 2016). "Kyle Noke vs. Keita Nakamura slated for UFC Fight Night 91 in South Dakota". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
30. Brent Brookhouse (13 July 2016). "UFC Fight Night 91 results: Keita Nakamura taps out Kyle Noke with one second left in Round 2". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
31. Staff (6 October 2016). "Kyle Noke vs. Dominique Steele targeted for UFC Fight Night 101". themmareport.com. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
32. Jordan Breen (24 October 2016). "Dominique Steele out, Omari Akhmedov in versus Kyle Noke at UFC Fight Night in Melbourne". sherdog.com. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
33. "UFC Fight Night 101 results: Omari Akhmedov uses strong ground game to top Kyle Noke by decision". mmajunkie.com. 26 November 2016.
34. Danny Segura (27 November 2016). "UFC welterweight Kyle Noke announces retirement from MMA". mmafighting.com.
35. "UFC veteran Kyle Noke has 'that fire again,' announces return from retirement". MMAjunkie. 30 September 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
36. "Kyle Noke, 12-Fight UFC Veteran, Begins Road Back from Retirement". MMA News. 1 October 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
37. "Kyle".

External links

• Official UFC Profile
• Professional MMA record for Kyle Noke from Sherdog
• Kyle Noke on Twitter
• Kyle Noke on Facebook