UFC Vet Mark Bocek Announces MMA Retirement
 

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After a pro career that ran more than a decade and included more than a dozen bouts in the world’s top promotion, UFC lightweight veteran Mark Bocek has announced his retirement.

Bocek announced his plans Tuesday night on Twitter:

I'm retiring from pro mma.I would like to thank everyone who has helped me and supported me throughout this journey. Onto the next chapter.—
Mark Bocek (@MarkBocek) August 06, 2014

In what’s been a bit of a rarity in the sport, the 32-year-old Canadian has ended his career on a high note. Bocek most recently fought in April and earned a split-decision victory over Mike De La Torre, an injury replacement for Evan Dunham. It moved him to 3-1 in his final four fights.

Bocek (12-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC), who went 4-0 before signing with the UFC in 2007, is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who posted seven submissions in 12 career wins. During one of the best stretches of his career, he posted a three-fight UFC winning streak while submitting Alvin Robinson, David Bielkheden and Joe Brammer from 2008-2009.

Bocek, who fought on seven of the UFC’s Canadian cards, picked up a pair of “Submission of the Night” bonuses during his tenure with the promotion. The most recent came in 2010, when he tapped out fellow grappler Dustin Hazelett with a triangle-choke/armbar combination at UFC 124.

Bocek, though, never really entered the UFC lightweight title picture. He was a plus-.500 fighter in the UFC and posted victories over the likes of vets Nik Lentz and John Alessio, but he struggled against the elite of the division.

In fact, in his first UFC fight, Bocek suffered a loss to future champion Frankie Edgar. Other losses came to fellow future champ Benson Henderson and contenders such as Jim Miller and Rafael dos Anjos. However, he hadn’t been finished in the final six years of his career.


(Charged Particle)