UFC welterweight Kyle Noke announces retirement, fellow fighters react

One day removed from his decision loss to Omari Akehmodv at UFC 101, Kyle Noke announced his retirement from mixed martial arts.

Long time mixed martial arts veteran Kyle Noke is officially hanging up his four-ounce gloves.

Taking to Twitter on Saturday, one day removed from his decision loss to Omari Akehmodv at UFC 101, the Australian announced his retirement from competition.

Thank you to the @ufc and all the fans. It's time to hang up the gloves. Ive had a blessed life doing what I love. I Wouldn't change a thing

— Kyle Noke (@KyleNoke) November 27, 2016

Noke’s loss to Akehmodv pushed his losing streak to three straight, the worst of his 14-year professional career. The Jackson-Winkeljohn product previously suffered a submission loss to Keita Nakamura and and a split decision to Alex Morono.

The 36-year-old began fighting professionally in 2002. He would go on to compile a record of 16-4-1, including earning XFC middleweight title in 2006, before before getting the call to join the the 11th season of The Ultimate Fighter. Fighting under coach Chuck Liddell, Noke made it to the quarterfinals before being eliminated from the middleweight tournament.

From here he would continue compete in the UFC’s 185-pound division before dropping down to welterweight in 2012. While he initially found success in his new division, garnering a record of 3-1, Noke hit a wall with his three consecutive losses.

Following his announcement several of Noke’s fellow fighters took to Twitter to wish him luck.

@KyleNoke @ufc congratulations on an amazing career man! #respect

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) November 27, 2016

Congrats on all the success chasing your dream ???? Now on to being a Super Dad and Entrepreneur @KyleNoke @ufc

— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) November 27, 2016

@KyleNoke @ufc fuck! Love watching you fight. Respect. ????????

— Coach (@CMPunk) November 27, 2016

Sad to see you go brother! Wish you the best in your next venture! @KyleNoke @ufc

— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) November 27, 2016

.Thanks for leading the way for us Aussie fighters, you opened the door for us & @KyleNoke @ufc u did Australia proud????????????????❤️️ #UFCMelbourne

— Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) November 27, 2016

@KyleNoke best of luck in the future, always a pleasure watching you get in there

— Tom Lawlor (@FilthyTomLawlor) November 27, 2016

@KyleNoke @ufc all the best you Cob! ????????

— Tom Watson (@TomKongWatson) November 27, 2016

@KyleNoke @ufc was an honour to be by your side bruxi & I am proud of how far you have come & what you have done in the sport! ????????

— Adrian Pang (@adrianpangmma) November 27, 2016

@KyleNoke – much love brother. Thank you for always being such a great teammate and friend.

— Brandon Gibson (@SixGunGibson) November 27, 2016

@KyleNoke @ufc thanks for the performances brother. Hope your feeling ok. See you soon

— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) November 27, 2016

Noke retires with a professional MMA record of 22-10-1, and a record of 6-6 in the UFC.