UFC and Ultimate Fighter Kyle Noke
By John Fullilove, jacksons.tv
jacksons.tv: Where are you from in Australia?
Kyle Noke: I’m from a place called the “Sunshine Coast”. It’s about an hour north of Brisbane in Queensland.
jacksons.tv: Did you play any sports while growing up in Australia?
Kyle Noke: I played basketball, rugby league and rugby union. I tried to stay as active as I could because there wasn’t too much else to do.
jacksons.tv: No Australian Rules Football?
Kyle Noke: No Australian Rules Football. That’s a little soft for me. There isn’t as much contact so that is why I played rugby league and rugby union.
jacksons.tv: What did you do after you graduated from secondary school?
Kyle Noke: Well I didn’t graduate from high school. I left early to get a job and start working. School was good but I just didn’t like it. I liked to be out there and do stuff. I was playing a lot of sports and I didn’t know what I wanted to do but I wanted to do something in sport. I just kept working right away and started playing rugby.
jacksons.tv: What kind of work were you doing?
Kyle Noke: I did odd jobs here and there and eventually ended up working at Australia Zoo and working for the late Steve Irwin.
jacksons.tv: What did you do at Australia Zoo?
Kyle Noke: I was security at the Zoo for Steve and his family. I just made sure they got around the Zoo safely. If they traveled in Australia I would tag along with them to make sure they were ok.
jacksons.tv: How did you get into security work to begin with?
Kyle Noke: My coach back in Australia, Dan Higgins, was actually working with him at the time and doing the same job. He was looking for someone else to help him out and Steve had been to my fights and met him. He was happy with the person I was and asked me if I would like to work there. Shortly after then I started.
jacksons.tv: How did you start with Higgins in MMA?
Kyle Noke: I was playing rugby and in between rugby seasons I was looking for something to do and for past time. My friend suggested to go and train MMA. I had never had a bout before then. I was about 21 at the time. I went along to my first class and from there I was hooked. I gave up rugby and started doing MMA full time.
jacksons.tv: Was the UFC popular down in Australia at that time?
Kyle Noke: It was popular but it wasn’t as big as it is now. It was more for the hardcore fans back then. Not that many people knew about it. I was fortunate to start in Australia just when it started getting big and it’s definitely really big now.
jacksons.tv: When you started your training, was it just MMA?
Kyle Noke: The classes when I started were all just MMA straight up. I went along to the class. After two weeks of MMA they asked me if I wanted my first fight. Two weeks after that I had my first fight with full MMA rules. I’ve always just trained for MMA.
jacksons.tv: Was that an amateur fight?
Kyle Noke: In Australia it was a pro fight. Full pro MMA rules, it was the exact same rules as in the UFC now.
jacksons.tv: How did you become involved with Coach Jackson?
Kyle Noke: Coach Jackson, Joey Villasenor and Jimmy Rayborn came to Australia for a fight show. My coach had to fight Joey and I ended up fighting Jimmy. After the show, Coach Jackson was impressed how we had fought on the show against his guys, especially how Higgins fought against Joey. He was able to take Joey down a few times. Greg was really impressed with that. Greg and Danny started talking and then they went out to the Zoo and met Steve. The next day Greg asked Danny if he would like to come over to America to train a bit and I was lucky enough to tag along with Dan. I got to know everyone and come here to America. Since that time I have been coming back and forth for the last 6 years.
jacksons.tv: Is it difficult making that trip from Australia and training?
Kyle Noke: The first couple of times it was difficult but I’ve been doing it a while now so I’m used to it. For me it’s not hard coming over, its going back that I feel all of the fatigue and jet lag. Usually when I’m coming to America I’m excited and I’m pumped to be here and get started training. It’s really not a big deal for me.
jacksons.tv: What was it like the first time you came here to train with the team?
Kyle Noke: When I first got here it was daunting. I was fighting at 170 at the time and there were a lot of big guys in the gym back then and I remember coming here for the first time and being kind of nervous what was going to happen the first time. Everyone in the gym welcomed me and looked after me to make sure I was alright. I had a great experience from the first time I came here.
jacksons.tv: What was the first show you fought here in North America?
Kyle Noke: The first show was when I fought in Puerto Rico last year. I fought Casey ??? (6:05) who was also on the Ultimate Fighter Show with me. Before that all that I have done in North America is to compete in Grappler’s Quest a few times. I was scheduled to have a show in Vegas but it was around the time of Steve’s death so I had to fly home for that.
jacksons.tv: Do you still work for Australia Zoo or do you train MMA full time now?
Kyle Noke: I just do MMA full time now.
jacksons.tv: Do you coach in Australia now?
Kyle Noke: No I don’t coach in Australia. My team back home, Integrated Martial Arts, has a strong fight team. When I go home I still train with them and help my teammates get ready for their fights and reach their goals. Most of the time, when I get home, is just to relax, surf and do a bit of training with my friends back there.
jacksons.tv: How long have you been surfing?
Kyle Noke: It’s something new. Steve came up to me one day when I was working at the Zoo and said, “Do you know how to surf?” And I said “No” and he said, “Meet me at the beach tomorrow at 6 o` clock and I’m going to teach you how to surf.” I was lucky enough to have him teach me how to surf.
jacksons.tv: What do you miss about Australia when you are here in the States?
Kyle Noke: I mostly miss the beach. I miss family a lot but I’m lucky enough to make good friends here and some of my friends are like family to me so it’s not so bad here. The main thing I miss here is the beach.
jacksons.tv: What does your family think about you competing in MMA?
Kyle Noke: They love it. They are all proud of me. They support me fully. My mom won’t watch me fight live. She will look up at the big screen so it doesn’t seem as real. They’re big fans and they support me to the fullest.
jacksons.tv: What have they thought of you being on the Ultimate Fighter?
Kyle Noke: They’re very proud. They all go around to one of my brother’s house and they all watch it every night it came on. They are proud of me and support me. I’m lucky enough to have their support behind me.
jacksons.tv: How does the elevation impact you when you first get here from Australia?
Kyle Noke: Absolutely, when I get here I feel the cardio. I feel the altitude big time. In preparation before I come here, I do another 3 week camp before I leave Australia so I get my fitness to a level so when I get here I don’t get that fatigued that much so I can actually compete with the guys and offer some good training with the guys. People don’t realize that when you come to Albuquerque at altitude, it does take a toll on you. You better be ready for it.
jacksons.tv: What is like being part of the team?
Kyle Noke: For me it’s a great honor being part of Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn’s team. They are the best trainers in the world in my opinion. We have some of the best fighters in the world. For me to just be in the same room as them and training with those guys, it’s an honor for me.
jacksons.tv: What are you goals in MMA?
Kyle Noke: Obviously my goal is that I want to win a belt. I want to be the first person to win a belt from Australia and take it back. My goal is just to keep fighting as long as I can and make a living off of it. I want to represent my family and my country well.
jacksons.tv: Is there anyone you would like to acknowledge?
Kyle Noke: I would like to thank Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn for the help they have given me. I would also like to thank Tapout, Machi Sports, Kelly Tekin at Team Condition and Tokyo Five.
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