By Kelsey Mowatt; photo courtesy American Top Team
Fans in attendance at the upcoming UFC 124 card in Montreal, Quebec, could be treated to a world class grappling clinic on December 11th, as accomplished jiu-jitsu competitor Mark Bocek will face fellow jiu-jitsu black belt Dustin Hazelett. Then again, anything can happen in mixed-martial-arts, and often fights billed as a contest between two experts in one discipline, ends up featuring something completely different. In any case, Bocek (pictured) is confident he’ll be ready when the two meet next month.
“ I think Hazelett is a good fighter; black belt under Jorge Gurgel, he has some tricky submissions,” Bocek said about Hazelett (12-6), who will be moving down to lightweight, after dropping back-to-back fights against Paul Daley and more recently Rick Story. “He will be a good test and I look forward to it.”
Like Hazelett, the 29 year-old Bocek will be looking to get back in the winning column, after losing by unanimous decision to Jim Miller this past March. The judge’s decision put an end to Bocek’s (8-3) three fight winning streak, which saw the lightweight tap-out Alvin Robsinson, David Bielkheden and Joe Brammer.
Like Hazelett, the 29 year-old Bocek will be looking to get back in the winning column, after losing by unanimous decision to Jim Miller this past March. The judge’s decision put an end to Bocek’s (8-3) three fight winning streak, which saw the lightweight tap-out Alvin Robsinson, David Bielkheden and Joe Brammer.
“I don't feel that I lost to Miller,” Bocek said when asked what he took away from his competitive bout with Miller. “I learned to not leave it in the hands of the judges.”
After going 1-2 in his first three Octagon appearances, Bocek is now 3-1 in his last four UFC bouts, a run of success which is likely tied to his decision to begin training with American Top Team. As a result, Bocek has once again headed south to Florida, to prepare for his upcoming tilt with Hazelett.
“I have been training with Marcelo Garcia and American Top Team; I will be ready for this fight,” Bocek told FCF. “Training has been going very well and I feel very good.”
And as far as the Nova Uniao black belt’s prediction for the December 11th bout?
“Impossible to make predictions,” Bocek responded. “I can just guarantee that I will be ready for everything that he brings.”
UFC 124 will be hosted by Montreal’s Bell Centre, and will feature UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre vs. challenger Josh Koscheck in the main event.
After going 1-2 in his first three Octagon appearances, Bocek is now 3-1 in his last four UFC bouts, a run of success which is likely tied to his decision to begin training with American Top Team. As a result, Bocek has once again headed south to Florida, to prepare for his upcoming tilt with Hazelett.
“I have been training with Marcelo Garcia and American Top Team; I will be ready for this fight,” Bocek told FCF. “Training has been going very well and I feel very good.”
And as far as the Nova Uniao black belt’s prediction for the December 11th bout?
“Impossible to make predictions,” Bocek responded. “I can just guarantee that I will be ready for everything that he brings.”
UFC 124 will be hosted by Montreal’s Bell Centre, and will feature UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre vs. challenger Josh Koscheck in the main event.
