Kyle Bochniak

Kyle Bochniak is a featherweight mixed martial artist whose story extends far beyond fight records. Born in Beverly, Massachusetts, he spiraled into substance abuse and incarceration as a young man before a pivotal moment in Hartford, Connecticut changed everything: a judge's offer of probation in exchange for a sincere commitment to change. Bochniak discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and rebuilt his life from the ground up, eventually becoming a welding tradesman with a passion for fighting. He began his MMA journey in 2010 and turned professional in 2014, compiling an impressive 6-0 record on the CES MMA regional circuit before signing with the UFC in early 2016 at age 29.

In the UFC octagon from 2016 to 2020, Bochniak competed at featherweight and built a respectable 3-5 record against mixed quality opposition. His signature moment came in April 2018 when he faced elite prospect Zabit Magomedsharipov in a three-round war that earned both men Fight of the Night honors, despite the unanimous decision loss. He also secured clean wins over Brandon Davis and Enrique Barzola during his tenure. At 5-foot-7 with a 70-inch reach, he relied on volume striking and cardio, landing significant strikes at 2.63 per minute while maintaining solid takedown defense.

After his UFC release in January 2020, Bochniak has continued fighting regionally and briefly in the PFL, remaining active into his late 30s. More significantly, in January 2023 he opened North Andover BJJ, his own gym in Massachusetts. Publicly celebrating over a decade of continuous sobriety and personal stability, Bochniak has become an advocate for recovery, using his platform to speak candidly about second chances and transformation. For fans, he represents something genuine: a fighter whose greatest victory happened long before he ever stepped into the cage.