Kyle Noke (22-10-1) the 14-year Australian veteran who coached Team Australia at the TUF Nations series, announced his retirement from mixed martial arts yesterday.
Noke recently lost a unanimous decision to Omari Akhmedov at Melbourne’s UFC Fight Night 101 Saturday night. Overall, theĀ 36-year-old went 6-6-0 in the UFC and leaves the cage as Australia’s most successful MMA fighter.
Thank you to the @ufc and all the fans. It's time to hang up the gloves. Ive had a blessed life doing what I love. I Wouldn't change a thing
— Kyle Noke (@KyleNoke) November 27, 2016
Welcome back to The Crossfire.
Initially, Noke was a security guard for the famed Steve “Crocodile Hunter” Irwin, before proceeding to push further into MMA after Irwin’s death.
Turning pro in 2002, Noke competed in organizations such as Spartan Reality Fight, Xtreme Fighting Championships, Warriors Realm, Cage Fighting Championship, Elite XC, and Top Combat Championship before catching on the UFC as a TUF 11 contestant.
Many current Australian fighters paid tribute to Noke on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/RowdyBec/status/802768366989516800
@KyleNoke You are one of the most talented athletes I have ever met. It was a humbling pleasure to call you a teammate and friend.
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 27, 2016
Great work @KyleNoke now onto the next stage. https://t.co/RiVlz1zmWZ
— Elāis SinosiĀ© (@ElvisSinosic) November 27, 2016
Congrats on all the success chasing your dream š Now on to being a Super Dad and Entrepreneur @KyleNoke @ufc
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) November 27, 2016
Sad to see you go brother! Wish you the best in your next venture! @KyleNoke @ufc
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) November 27, 2016
Was a honor to share the cage with you !! Take care !! https://t.co/iNpSrmQZu2
— patrick cote (@patrick_cote) November 27, 2016
You had a fantastic career mate! Be proud of it. I am as is everyone else. From your @JacksonWinkMMA team mate and friend. https://t.co/GYiPAAsqta
— Anthony Perosh (@AnthonyPerosh) November 27, 2016
congratulations on an amazing career man! #respect
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) November 27, 2016
Perhaps the UFC will give Noke an ambassador role much like they did for Brazil’s Antonio Minotauro Nogueira.
It would be a befitting acknowledgement to an outstanding career.
