Ultimate Fighting Championship

UFC lightweight Mark Bocek announces his retirement on Twitter

Published Aug. 5, 2014 11:01 p.m. ET

Damon Martin

UFC lightweight Mark Boceck officially announced his retirement from mixed martial arts on Tuesday when he posted a message via Twitter, calling it a career after 17 professional fights with 13 of those taking place inside the Octagon.

Bocek (12-5) exits the sport after dealing with a litany of injuries over the last few years that have hampered his appearances in the UFC. The Canadian grappler missed all of 2013, but did make a successful return in April when he bested Mike De La Torre by split decision at the TUF Nations finale card in Quebec City, Quebec.

Debuting in the UFC in 2007, Bocek would eventually face some of the stiffest competition in the lightweight division, putting together an overall record of 8-5. Bocek took on names such as Frankie Edgar, Benson Henderson and Jim Miller and twice took home 'Submission of the Night' honors during his career with the UFC.

Bocek wasn't specific as to why he decided to call it a career just now, although he hadn't booked a fight since winning his last bout against De La Torre in April. In his time away from the sport, Bocek has been a decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and teacher and will likely continue to use his vast knowledge of the submission game to help the next generation of athletes in the sport.

Get more from Ultimate Fighting Championship Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Ultimate Fighting Championship