Mark Bocek

Mark Bocek (; born October 24, 1981) is a Canadian retired mixed martial artist who competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor for ten years from 2004 to 2014, Bocek has also formerly competed for King of the Cage.

Mixed martial arts career

Background Bocek holds a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and has been studying the art for two decades. He first studied under Rickson and Renzo Gracie and then moved on to Nova Uniao, where he received his black belt through Joao Roque in December 2003, making him the first Canadian-born black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Bocek currently trains in BJJ with Marcelo Garcia and also holds a black belt in Kempo Karate.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Bocek caught the attention of the UFC when president Dana White and UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu under his tutelage.

In his UFC debut at UFC 73, Bocek lost to future UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar via first-round TKO.

After rebounding at UFC 79 with a decision win over Doug Evans, Bocek lost to TUF winner Mac Danzig by submission in the third round.

He fought against Alvin Robinson at UFC 91 on November 16, 2008, and won by submission. His next fight was against David Bielkheden at UFC 97, where he dominated Bielkheden and submitted him by rear naked choke in the first round.

He was expected to face Matt Veach on December 5, 2009, at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale until Veach stepped up to fight Frank Edgar as Kurt Pellegrino's replacement. Bocek then fought UFC newcomer Joe Brammer on the same card. He defeated Brammer via first round submission.

Bocek lost a unanimous decision in a close fight to Jim Miller on March 27, 2010, at UFC 111. Despite controlling Miller's position throughout most of the contest and taking him down on multiple occasions, all three judges scored the fight 29-28 for Miller.

Bocek defeated Dustin Hazelett via first round submission on December 11, 2010, at UFC 124.

Bocek faced former WEC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson on April 30, 2011, at UFC 129. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Bocek faced Nik Lentz on December 10, 2011, at UFC 140. He won the fight via unanimous decision after taking down and controlling Lentz all three rounds.

Bocek was expected to face Matt Wiman on April 21, 2012, at UFC 145. However, Wiman was forced from the bout with an injury and was replaced by returning UFC veteran John Alessio. He won via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 30–27).

Bocek faced Rafael dos Anjos on November 17, 2012, at UFC 154. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Bocek was expected to fight Michel Prazeres on September 21, 2013, at UFC 165. However, Bocek pulled out due to an injury and was replaced by UFC newcomer Jesse Ronson.

Bocek was expected to face Evan Dunham on April 16, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter: Nations Finale. However, Dunham pulled out of the bout in the week leading up to the event with an undisclosed injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Mike De La Torre. Bocek won the fight via split decision.

On August 5, 2014, Bocek announced his retirement from mixed martial arts competition via Twitter.

Personal life Bocek is a big fan of the Czech rapper Marpo and he uses Marpo songs as his entrance music to his UFC fights.

Championships and achievements Ultimate Fighting Championship Submission of the Night (Two times) UFC.com Awards 2010: Ranked #5 Submission of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Win

Mike De La Torre Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale: Bisping vs. Kennedy

Quebec City, Quebec, Canada Loss

Rafael dos Anjos Decision (unanimous) UFC 154

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

John Alessio Decision (unanimous) UFC 145

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Win

Nik Lentz Decision (unanimous) UFC 140

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Loss

Benson Henderson Decision (unanimous) UFC 129

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Win

Dustin Hazelett Submission (triangle armbar) UFC 124

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Loss

Jim Miller Decision (unanimous) UFC 111

Newark, New Jersey, United States Win

Joe Brammer Submission (standing rear-naked choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

David Bielkheden Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 97

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Alvin Robinson Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 91

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Mac Danzig Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 83

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Doug Evans Decision (unanimous) UFC 79

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Frankie Edgar TKO (punches) UFC 73

Sacramento, California, United States Win

Garret Davis Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC: Capital Chaos

Hull, Quebec, Canada Win

John Mahlow Submission (armbar) KOTC: Freedom Fight

Gatineau, Quebec, Canada Win

Kevin Manderson Submission (rear-naked choke) APEX: A Night Of Champions

Gatineau, Quebec, Canada Win

Mark Colangelo TKO (injury) TKO 15: Unstoppable

Montreal, Quebec, Canada