Fighter Kyle Noke feels ‘blessed’ for relationship with Steve Irwin TUF 11 contestant Noke reflects on memories of working for the ‘Crocodile Hunter’

It takes no more than two minutes of conversation with Australian fighter Kyle Noke to realize one thing — the dude has some crazy stories.

Noke, one of 14 middleweights featured on the newest season of The Ultimate Fighter, has plenty of memories to share from his unique experience as a personal bodyguard to beloved wildlife expert Steve Irwin.

The opportunity came up in 2003, when Noke was hand-selected by Irwin for the job — mainly because of the "Crocodile Hunter's" interest in mixed martial arts.

"My coach at the time used to work for him and he was looking for someone else," Noke said. "Steve loved MMA and he wanted another MMA fighter who he liked and could train with. He watched one of my fights and was impressed with me, and he asked me to work with him."

Noke's job as a "bodyguard" consisted of 6 a.m. surf times, the occasional croc trip and spending a lot of time at Irwin's world-famous Australia Zoo.

And of course, plenty of MMA training, which Noke says was Irwin's second greatest passion behind animals.

"I think he picked me more so that he had somebody to train with than for an actual bodyguard," Noke said. "He was a big dude. He could handle himself. He didn't need a bodyguard."

According to Noke, not only did Irwin enjoy training all aspects of MMA — he excelled at them, too.

And considering he's a longtime member of Greg Jackson's camp and has worked with UFC and Strikeforce talent like Keith Jardine, Joey Villasenor and Brian Stann, Noke is a qualified judge of talent.

"Strong," answered Noke when asked how Irwin was in the ring. "He had strength from wrestling crocs all his life. You could never let him get on top of you, because he'd just hold you down.

"If he would have done it when he was younger, he could have been a fighter today."

Following Irwin's accidental death in 2006, Noke decided to move from Australia to the United States in 2009 to train full time with Jackson in Albuquerque, N.M.

Although most fans will get their first look at Noke through the reality series that premiered Wednesday, Noke has been training MMA since 2002 and holds a 16-4-1 professional record, which includes a 1-1 mark against UFC lightweight George Sotiropoulos.

Because he didn't start training any martial art before 2002, Noke says his skill set has developed equally — making him a tough fighter to crack.

"I didn't do any formal training. All my training has been general MMA at the same time," Noke said. "So my Jiu-Jitsu is the same as my standup and wrestling. My wins are mixed as well. I think I have as many submission wins as I do TKOs. I have a few decision as well."

Noke's athleticism gave him the opportunity to also compete in rugby and football, but he was hesitant to pursue football seriously after his older brother suffered an injury playing the sport.

"My oldest brother broke his neck playing football and that was a time for me when I said, "Eh, I might not do it anymore,'" Noke said. "He snapped it clean in half. He was lucky. They reckon if it would have broke to one side, it would have crushed his spinal cord. Because it did snap in half, they managed to fuse it back together and now he's back to normal."

The decision to put all his efforts into MMA obviously has paid off, and Noke could be considered one of the favorites to come out of this season of TUF with the UFC contract.

No matter what happens, the experience should give Noke a few more stories.

"I'm very blessed," said Noke of his relationship with Irwin. "I would have never learned how to surf or gone on croc research trips. He took me scuba diving and I got my license. We went Jet Ski riding all the time."

"That stuff we did is a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or [email protected]. Also follow him on twitter: LVSunFighting.