Kyle Prepolec (born August 30, 1989) is a Canadian mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) Lightweight division.[5] He is the current SMMA Lightweight Champion and had previously won the BTC Catchweight Championship and the TXC Lightweight Championship.[6]
Background
Kyle Prepolec was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. He, like many Canadians, enjoyed playing hockey until he began training in boxing, finding his true calling in combat sports. He wrestled for two years in high school while attending Riverside Secondary School and after graduating began working in construction and home renovations.[7] In 2008 Prepolec decided to pursue a career in mixed martial arts.[8]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Prepolec started competing in mixed martial arts professionally in 2008, he fought in regional promotions mostly in Canada and America earning himself a record of 14–5, including a two-fight run in Bellator facing Lance Snow and Jason Fischer at Bellator 64 and Bellator 76 respectively.[9][10][11] During this time he managed to capture 2 Championships in 2 separate promotions.[12] Having previously won both the BTC Catchweight Championship(165 lbs) and the TXC Lightweight Championship when he was invited to sign with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2019.[13]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Making his first walk to the octagon on little more than a week's notice, in a weight class above his fighting weight Kyle Prepolec faced fellow Canadian and UFC veteran of 10 bouts Nordine Taleb in his promotional debut on May 4, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 151.[14] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[15]
Returning to Lightweight Prepolec was next set to faced Austin Hubbard on September 14, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 158.[16] Prepolec would come out controlling round 1 with his striking staggering his opponent twice, the second round saw more exchanges on the feet. Hubbard took the fight to the ground. Kyle returned to his feet and continued to exchange until the end of the round. Round 3 saw Prepolec attempt a standing guillotine choke and landed a big elbow on the break, after landing a left hand he was taken down and controlled for almost the remainder of the round. Prepolec forced the fight back to the feet with 45 seconds remaining in the fight, landing a left hook and attempting a spinning back fist, he was forced to defend a take down and controlled the rest of the round attempting a modified guillotine choke. Prepolec lost the fight via unanimous decision.[17]
On March 19, 2020, while nursing an injury Prepolec announced he had been released from the promotion.[18]
Post-UFC Career
Returning to action after the lockdown in Canada due to Covid-19 Kyle Prepolec faced fellow Canadian Michael Dufort for the inaugural main event of Samuorai 1 for the SMMA Lightweight Championship on November 19, 2021.[19] He won the bout via split decision, becoming the promotions Inaugural Lightweight Champion.[20]
Prepolec faced UFC veteran, Shane Campbell on March 4, 2022 at Unified MMA 43, in a Super Lightweight bout. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[21]
Prepolec faced Marco Antonio Elpidio on October 22, 2022 at PFC 14. He won the bout by knock out via a head kick in the first round.[22]
Prepolec faced Josh Henry on April 23, 2023 at PFC 16: Mein vs. Chavez, winning the bout via first round TKO stoppage after landing a head kick and ground and pound.[23]
Return to the UFC
Replacing an injured Joel Álvarez and on one week's notice, Prepolec is scheduled to make his return to the UFC against Benoît Saint Denis on May 10, 2025 at UFC 315.[24] He lost the fight via an arm-triangle choke submission in the second round.[25]
