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19 Facts About Mark Bocek

1.

Mark Bocek is a Canadian retired mixed martial artist who competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

2.

Mark Bocek holds a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and has been studying the art for two decades.

3.

Mark Bocek 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.

4.

Mark Bocek caught the attention of the UFC when president Dana White and UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu under his tutelage.

5.

Mark Bocek fought against Alvin Robinson at UFC 91 on November 16,2008 and won by submission.

6.

Mark Bocek's next fight was against David Bielkheden at UFC 97, where he dominated Bielkheden and submitted him by rear naked choke in the first round.

7.

Mark Bocek 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.

8.

Mark Bocek then fought UFC newcomer Joe Brammer on the same card.

9.

Mark Bocek lost a unanimous decision in a close fight to Jim Miller on March 27,2010 at UFC 111.

10.

Mark Bocek defeated Dustin Hazelett via first round submission on December 11,2010 at UFC 124.

11.

Mark Bocek faced former WEC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson on April 30,2011 at UFC 129.

12.

Mark Bocek faced Nik Lentz on December 10,2011 at UFC 140.

13.

Mark Bocek won the fight via unanimous decision after taking down and controlling Lentz all three rounds.

14.

Mark Bocek was expected to face Matt Wiman on April 21,2012 at UFC 145.

15.

Mark Bocek faced Rafael dos Anjos on November 17,2012 at UFC 154.

16.

Mark Bocek was expected to fight Michel Prazeres on September 21,2013 at UFC 165.

17.

However, Mark Bocek pulled out due to an injury and was replaced by UFC newcomer Jesse Ronson.

18.

Mark Bocek was expected to face Evan Dunham on April 16,2014 at The Ultimate Fighter: Nations Finale.

19.

Mark Bocek is a big fan of the Czech rapper Marpo and he uses Marpo songs as his entrance music to his UFC fights.