UFC veteran Kyle Noke has 'that fire again,' announces return from retirement

Many MMA retirements don’t last long. Veteran welterweight Kyle Noke’s is the latest, and he’s ended his just 10 months after announcing he was done with the sport.

Following a three-fight losing skid that was capped off by a unanimous-decision loss to Omari Akhmedov at UFC Fight Night 101 in November 2016, Noke (22-10-1 MMA, 6-6 UFC) announced he was hanging up his gloves after 14 years and 33 professional bouts.

The 37-year-old, a former security guard for the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, hasn’t won a fight since a first-round TKO victory over Peter Sobotta at UFC 193 in November 2015, and while the stretch of losses that followed could be chalked up to declining performance, Noke said it came down to his effort in preparation.

The time off has apparently brought back Noke’s hunger and determination, and the Australian recently announced he’s ready to resume his fighting career (via Instagram):

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 gruelling training sessions and constant grind, I miss it now more than ever. I will fight again. I have that fire ?? again.

A post shared by Kyle Noke (@kylenoke) on Sep 28, 2017 at 4:23pm PDT

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 didn’t reveal if his comeback will take place under the UFC banner. He’s been part of the organization since a stint on Season 11 of “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2010, but his current contract status – and whether the UFC wants to keep him around given his recent record – remain unknown.

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