Kyle Noke, arguably Australia's most famous professional mixed martial arts competitor announced his retirement from competition in 2016 after losing three straight fights in the UFC. Now, just 10 months after he walked away from the sport, Noke has announced he has the fire once again to compete.

Noke made the announcement via social media stating, "My last few fights I lost that fire, I was just in there because I didn’t know anything else…… now that I’ve had time to rest and heal, time away from the grueling training sessions and constant grind, I miss it now more than ever.

I will fight again. I have that fire again."

Noke's start

The 37-year old began his professional career in 2002. He amassed a record of 22 wins, 10 losses, and one draw. He began his career with the UFC in 2010 as part of the Ultimate Fighter season 11. He has been with the organization since, competing 12 times.

Noke served as the bodyguard of the late Steve Irwin, better known as 'The Crocodile Hunter.' He kept that position for three years while competing in mixed martial arts events around the globe. Noke also provided wrestling, boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction to Irwin as needed.

The famed Greg Jackson of Jackson-Winklejohn MMA in Albuquerque, New Mexico served as Noke's primary mixed martial arts instructor while living inside the United States.

Noke competed professionally at both welterweight (170 pounds) and middleweight (185 pounds).

After Irwin passed away, Noke returned to Australia temporarily to work at the zoo where the Crocodile Hunter previously worked. While there, Noke realized that he had to make a full commitment to training MMA.

Come full circle

In 2013, Noke found himself in a coaching position in the show that gave him his start with the UFC.

The Australian native coached opposite Patrick Cote in 'The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia.' At the end of the season, the two coaches faced off against one another. Noke lost the fight via unanimous decision.

After the loss to Cote, Noke pulled off back-to-back victories under the UFC banner, both on fight cards that took place in his native country of Australia.

Then in 2016, Noke participated in three fights, losing all three. He dropped a split decision loss to Alex Moreno, followed by a submission loss to Keita Nakamura, and then a unanimous decision loss to Omari Akhmedov.

It is uncertain if Noke's return to mixed martial arts competition will come with the UFC or another organization. Also, no timeline for the return has been given.
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