Mark Bocek vs David Bielkheden UFC 97 fight possible

by MMAmania.com on Jan 19, 2009 11:04 AM EST

Lightweight Brazilian jiu-jitsu players Mark Bocek (6-2) and David Bielkheden (13-6) will likely tangle at UFC 97 on April 18 from The Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Bocek will once again compete in front of his hometown crowd, but he’ll be out to register a much different result this time around. The Canadian succumbed to Mac Danzig in the promotion’s first-ever show north of the United States border, losing via third round rear naked choke at UFC 83: "Serra vs. St. Pierre" back in April.

It was a rather startling result because Bocek is among the most accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialists from Canada to transition to mixed martial arts. The former ADCC competitor; however, rebounded with a third round submission win (rear naked choke) at UFC 91: "Couture vs. Lesnar" in November 2008.

Bocek will once again look to bump his record above .500 inside the Octagon – he has one win (unanimous decision) over Doug Evans at UFC 79: "Nemesis" and one loss (technical knockout) to Frank Edgar at UFC 73: "Stacked."

Bielkheden -- a Brazilian Top Team member and jiu-jitsu black belt -- was a veteran of the Japanese mixed martial arts (MMA) scene, having competed under the Pride FC and Shooto banners, among others.

The "Scandinavian Lion" was on a two-fight win streak before running into a buzz saw, Diego Sanchez, in his Octagon debut back at UFC 82: "Pride of a Champion" in March. "The Nightmare" had Bielkheden tapping because of strikes late in round one.

Bielkheden redeemed himself in his sophomore effort, outpointing Jess Liaudin on all three judges scorecards at UFC 89: "Bisping vs. Leben" back in October 2008.

UFC 97 will feature the returns of former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell and Pride FC grand prix winner Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. It’s a 205-pound tilt between two very well respected and popular competitors in the division. Middleweight champion Anderson Silva is also expected to defend his 185-pound strap against Thales Leites.

For more on UFC 97 and potential fights planned for the card click here.

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Comments

Its already official according to David himself, he mentioned it on his own blog.

by Cangriano on Jan 19, 2009 11:10 AM EST reply actions

Yeah I also heard that this fightw as official. I like the scandanavian Lion, eventually he will turn into a solid fighter!

by john on Jan 19, 2009 11:32 AM EST up reply actions

so are we gonna have GSP fight on this card if he gets beats BJ in the 1st rd.? (not saying it would happened just a question)

cause then we would have liddell/shogun, Anderson Silva/?? and GSP/??
or
GSP/A.Silva
Liddell/Sogun
Okami/T.Letis (that guy who was to fight Silva)

by Mikeybear2009 on Jan 19, 2009 11:11 AM EST reply actions

Should be a good fight. I think Bocek’s wrestling is going to be too much for the Scandanavian Lion.

by DB on Jan 19, 2009 11:55 AM EST reply actions

Bocek also lost to Danzig @ UFC 83. Good fight, that was the one where Bocek was bleeding above his eye and he got tapped with like a minute or a minute and a half left.