Mark Bocek

Mark Andrew Bocek (Czech: Boček; 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.

Mark Bocek
Born (1981-10-24) October 24, 1981
Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada
NationalityCanadian
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
DivisionLightweight
Reach75 in (190 cm)[1]
TeamTristar Gym
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under João Roque
Black belt in Kempo Karate
Years active2004–2014
Mixed martial arts record
Total17
Wins12
By knockout1
By submission7
By decision4
Losses5
By knockout1
By submission1
By decision3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Men's Submission Wrestling
ADCC North American Championships
Gold medal – first place 2007 Wayne -77kg

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.[2][3] Bocek currently trains in BJJ with Marcelo Garcia and also holds a black belt in Kempo Karate.[4]

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.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7]

Bocek faced former WEC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson on April 30, 2011 at UFC 129.[8] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Bocek faced Nik Lentz on December 10, 2011 at UFC 140.[9] 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.[10] However, Wiman was forced from the bout with an injury and was replaced by returning UFC veteran John Alessio.[11] He won via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27).

Bocek faced Rafael dos Anjos on November 17, 2012 at UFC 154.[12] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Bocek was expected to fight Michel Prazeres on September 21, 2013 at UFC 165.[13] However, Bocek pulled out due to an injury and was replaced by UFC newcomer Jesse Ronson.[14]

Bocek was expected to face Evan Dunham on April 16, 2014 at The Ultimate Fighter: Nations Finale.[15] 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.[16] Bocek won the fight via split decision.

On August 5, 2014, Bocek announced his retirement from mixed martial arts competition via Twitter.[17]

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.[18][19]

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
17 matches 12 wins 5 losses
By knockout 1 1
By submission 7 1
By decision 4 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 12–5 Mike De La Torre Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale: Bisping vs. Kennedy April 16, 2014 3 5:00 Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Loss 11–5 Rafael dos Anjos Decision (unanimous) UFC 154 November 17, 2012 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 11–4 John Alessio Decision (unanimous) UFC 145 April 21, 2012 3 5:00 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win 10–4 Nik Lentz Decision (unanimous) UFC 140 December 10, 2011 3 5:00 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Loss 9–4 Benson Henderson Decision (unanimous) UFC 129 April 30, 2011 3 5:00 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Win 9–3 Dustin Hazelett Submission (triangle armbar) UFC 124 December 11, 2010 1 2:33 Montreal, Quebec, Canada Submission of the Night.
Loss 8–3 Jim Miller Decision (unanimous) UFC 111 March 27, 2010 3 5:00 Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win 8–2 Joe Brammer Submission (standing rear-naked choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale December 5, 2009 1 3:36 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Submission of the Night.
Win 7–2 David Bielkheden Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 97 April 18, 2009 1 4:57 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 6–2 Alvin Robinson Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 91 November 15, 2008 3 3:16 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 5–2 Mac Danzig Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 83 April 19, 2008 3 3:48 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 5–1 Doug Evans Decision (unanimous) UFC 79 December 29, 2007 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 4–1 Frankie Edgar TKO (punches) UFC 73 July 7, 2007 1 4:55 Sacramento, California, United States
Win 4–0 Garret Davis Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC: Capital Chaos March 28, 2007 1 2:35 Hull, Quebec, Canada
Win 3–0 John Mahlow Submission (armbar) KOTC: Freedom Fight January 20, 2007 1 4:09 Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Win 2–0 Kevin Manderson Submission (rear-naked choke) APEX: A Night Of Champions October 14, 2006 1 1:25 Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Win 1–0 Mark Colangelo TKO (injury) TKO 15: Unstoppable February 28, 2004 1 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada

References
  1. "Fight Card - TUF Nations Finale Bisping vs. Kennedy". UFC.com. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  2. "Mark Bocek". Tapology.
  3. "Mark Bocek and Alvin Robinson Agree to UFC 91 Bout; Kongo/Al-Turk Likely for UFC 92". Bloody Elbow.
  4. "Mark Bocek". UFC.
  5. "Mark Bocek meets UFC newcomer Joe Brammer at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale". MMAJunkie.com. 2009-10-31. Archived from the original on 2009-11-03. Retrieved 2009-10-31.
  6. John Morgan. "Mark Bocek vs. Jim Miller targeted for March's UFC 111 in New Jersey". Archived from the original on 2012-07-24.
  7. "HAZELETT VS. BOCEK ADDED TO UFC 124". mmaweekly.com. 2010-09-15. Archived from the original on 2010-10-14. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
  8. "Ben Henderson vs. Mark Bocek targeted for UFC 129 in Toronto". mmajunkie.com. January 3, 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-01-07. Retrieved 2011-01-04.
  9. "Nik Lentz vs Mark Bocek fight slated for Dec. 10 in Toronto". mmamania.com. 2011-09-12.
  10. "UFC 145; seven bouts shift to Atlanta". mmajunkie.com. January 20, 2012.
  11. "John Alessio returning to octagon, replaces Matt Wiman at UFC 145". mmmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-05. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  12. "Mark Bocek vs. Rafael dos Anjos added to UFC 154 in Montreal". mmajunkie.com. August 23, 2012. Archived from the original on August 22, 2012.
  13. Keith Grienke (2013-07-03). "Bocek and Prazeres Look to Right Ship at UFC 165". TopMMANews.com. Retrieved 2013-07-03.
  14. Staff (2013-08-22). "Newcomer Jesse Ronson in for injured Mark Bocek vs. Michel Prazeres at UFC 165". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-08-22.
  15. Keith Grienke (2014-01-30). "Bocek to Face Dunham at TUF Finale in Quebec". TopMMANews.com. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  16. Jesse Holland (2014-04-08). "Mark Bocek Draws Mike De La Torre For TUF Nations Finale With Evan Dunham Hurt". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2014-04-08.
  17. MMAjunkie Staff (August 6, 2014). "UFC vet Mark Bocek announces MMA retirement". mmajunkie.com.
  18. "Marpo v UFC ?!? - RingNews.cz".
  19. "Marpo - Jsem rád že takovýhle lidi poslouchaj mojí hudbu!... - Facebook".
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