After loss to Akhmedov at UFC Fight Night 101, 33-fight veteran Kyle Noke announces retirement

A longtime stalwart of Aussie MMA is calling it a career.

Following a loss to Omari Akhmedov at UFC Fight Night 101, UFC middleweight Kyle Noke announced on Twitter that he is now retired.

“Thank you to the @ufc and all the fans,” Noke (22-10-1 MMA, 6-6 UFC) wrote. “It’s time to hang up the gloves. I’ve had a blessed life doing what I love. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

The 36-year-old Australia native suffered his third straight setback at the Saturday night event in Melbourne (Sunday in Australia), losing a unanimous decision to former training partner Akhmedov (16-4 MMA, 4-3 UFC) on the FS1-televised main card at Rod Laver Arena.

Noke was busted up by a right hand and spent the latter part of the opening frame on his back taking big shots. His left eye was left badly swollen from the encounter, and he was unable to get back in the fight in later rounds.

A veteran of “The Ultimate Fighter 11,” Noke leaves the promotion with an even 6-6 record. He fought five times on home soil. One year ago, he notched a triumphant win at UFC 193, where more than 56,000 fans watched him stop Peter Sobotta with a front kick and punches. He won a $50,000 bonus for the performance, his second such award with the promotion.

For complete coverage UFC Fight Night 101, check out the UFC Events section of the site.