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. He is the current SMMA Lightweight Champion and had previously won the BTC Catchweight Championship and the TXC Lightweight Championship.
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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.3 In 2008 Prepolec decided to pursue a career in mixed martial arts.4
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.567 During this time he managed to capture 2 Championships in 2 separate promotions.8 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 2019.9
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 151.10 He lost the fight via unanimous decision.11
Returning to Lightweight Prepolec was next set to faced Austin Hubbard on September 14, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 158.12 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.13
On March 19, 2020, while nursing an injury Prepolec announced he had been released from the promotion.14
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, 2021.15 He won the bout via split decision, becoming the promotions Inaugural Lightweight Champion.16
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.17
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.18
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.19
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 315.20 He lost the fight via an arm-triangle choke submission in the second round.21
Championships and accomplishments
- Samourai MMA
- SMMA Lightweight Championship
- Triple X Cagefighting
- TXC Lightweight Champion
- BTC Fight Promotions
- BTC Catchweight Champion
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown| 27 matches | 18 wins | 9 losses |
| By knockout | 10 | 0 |
| By submission | 4 | 3 |
| By decision | 4 | 6 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 18–9 | Benoît Saint Denis | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC 315 | May 10, 2025 | 2 | 2:26 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
| Win | 18–8 | Gustavo Wurlitzer | TKO (punches) | BTC 24 | June 8, 2024 | 1 | 3:04 | Burlington, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 17–8 | Josh Henry | TKO (head kick and punches) | Prospect FC 16 | April 23, 2023 | 1 | 2:14 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 16–8 | Marco Antonio Elpidio | KO (head kick) | Prospect FC 14 | October 22, 2022 | 1 | 3:23 | London, Ontario, Canada | |
| Loss | 15–8 | Shane Campbell | Decision (unanimous) | Unified MMA 43 | March 4, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Enoch, Alberta, Canada | Catchweight (165 lb) bout. |
| Win | 15–7 | Michael Dufort | Decision (split) | Samourai MMA 1 | November 19, 2021 | 5 | 5:00 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Won the inaugural SMMA Lightweight Championship. |
| Loss | 14–7 | Austin Hubbard | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Gaethje | September 14, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Return to Lightweight. |
| Loss | 14–6 | Nordine Taleb | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy | May 4, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Welterweight debut. |
| Win | 14–5 | Cody Pfister | Decision (unanimous) | BTC 5 | March 9, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Windsor, Ontario, Canada | Catchweight (160 lb) bout. |
| Win | 13–5 | Scott Hudson | TKO (punches) | BTC 3 | June 23, 2018 | 2 | 1:44 | Burlington, Ontario, Canada | Super Lightweight debut. Won the vacant BTC Super Lightweight Championship. |
| Loss | 12–5 | Troy Lamson | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC: Second Coming | August 5, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Wyandotte, Michigan, United States | |
| Win | 12–4 | David Newport | TKO (body punch) | WXC 66 | January 13, 2017 | 2 | 3:49 | Southgate, Michigan, United States | |
| Win | 11–4 | Adrian Hadribeaj | KO (spinning backfist) | TXC Legends 7 | February 20, 2016 | 4 | 4:01 | Novi, Michigan, United States | Won the TXC Lightweight Championship. |
| Loss | 10–4 | Alex Ricci | Decision (unanimous) | Global Warriors FC 2 | May 30, 2015 | 3 | 2:03 | Burlington, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 10–3 | Damion Hill | Submission (rear naked choke) | Provincial FC 3 | October 18, 2014 | 2 | 0:00 | London, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 9–3 | Keven Morin | Decision (unanimous) | Provincial FC 2 | March 8, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | London, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 8–3 | Adam Assenza | TKO (knees) | Provincial FC 1 | October 26, 2013 | 2 | 4:40 | London, Ontario, Canada | |
| Loss | 7–3 | Kevin Lee | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Michiana Fight League 29 | April 13, 2013 | 2 | 2:17 | South Bend, Indiana, United States | Catchweight (158 lb) bout; both fighters missed weight. |
| Loss | 7–2 | Jason Fischer | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Bellator 76 | October 12, 2012 | 3 | 3:19 | Windsor, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 7–1 | Jason Meisel | Submission (triangle choke) | Score Fighting Series 5 | August 25, 2012 | 2 | 2:58 | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | Return to Lightweight. |
| Win | 6–1 | Lance Snow | Submission (armbar) | Bellator 64 | April 6, 2012 | 2 | 2:54 | Windsor, Ontario, Canada | Catchweight (160 lb) bout. |
| Loss | 5–1 | Mustafa Khalil | Decision (unanimous) | Wreck MMA 8 | October 28, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Gatineau, Quebec, Canada | Featherweight debut; Prepolec missed weight (149 lb). |
| Win | 5–0 | Benoit Guionnet | TKO (punches) | Ultimate Generation Combat 28 | October 1, 2011 | 1 | 2:19 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
| Win | 4–0 | Keven Pellerin | TKO (punches) | Ringside MMA: Rising Star 3 | May 14, 2011 | 1 | 3:36 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
| Win | 3–0 | Pete Brown | Decision (unanimous) | Fighting Spirit MMA: Under Fire | May 30, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Oneida 41, Ontario, Canada | Catchweight (165 lb) bout. |
| Win | 2–0 | Jayson Dawns | Submission (triangle choke) | Fighting Spirit MMA: Bloody Valentine | February 14, 2009 | 2 | 4:04 | Oneida 41, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 1–0 | Justin Potter | TKO (punches) | Fighting Spirit MMA: Superfights | October 18, 2008 | 1 | 0:30 | Oneida 41, Ontario, Canada | Lightweight debut. |
See also
External links
References
iheartradio.ca (2019-12-23). "Kyle Prepolec to make UFC debut". iheartradio. Retrieved 2020-01-22. https://www.iheartradio.ca/am800/news/windsor-fighter-to-make-ufc-debut-1.9167164 ↩
tapology.com (2018-11-09). "Kylr Preplec wins BTC Catchweight championship". tapology/news. Retrieved 2020-01-22. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/366678-btc-3-scott-hudson-vs-kyle-prepolec ↩
windsorpubliclibrary. "Kyle Preplec bio". windsorpubliclibrary.com. Retrieved 2020-06-08. https://www.windsorpubliclibrary.com/?page_id=66739 ↩
windsorstar.com. "Kyle Prepolec earns shot at UFC". windsorstar. Retrieved 2020-01-22. https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/windsor-mma-fighter-gets-shot-at-ufc-glory ↩
Wakabayashi, Dwight. "Bellator 64 Windsor Results: Askren Retains Title in a Funky Night of Fights". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2020-06-10. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1136167-bellator-64-windsor-results-askren-retains-title-in-a-funky-night-of-fights ↩
staff (2019-08-31). "Bellator 64 Results – Who Won at 'Askren vs. Lima'". MMA Scene. Retrieved 2020-06-10. https://www.mmascene.com/news/bellator-64-results-who-won-at-askren-vs-lima/ ↩
staff (2019-09-12). "Bellator 76 Results – Who Won at 'Alvarez vs. Pitbull'". MMA Scene. Retrieved 2020-06-10. https://www.mmascene.com/news/bellator-76-results-who-won-at-alvarez-vs-pitbull/ ↩
topmmanews.com. "Getting to know Kyle Prepolec". topmmanews. Retrieved 2020-01-22. http://topmmanews.com/2018/06/20/getting-to-know-kyle-prepolec/ ↩
cagesidepress.com. "Kyle Prepolec joins the UFC". cagesidepress. Retrieved 2020-01-22. https://cagesidepress.com/2019/04/29/welcome-ufc-kyle-prepolec/ ↩
Cody Rempel. "Kyle Prepolec makes debut". topmmanews.com. topmmanews. Retrieved 2020-01-22. http://topmmanews.com/2018/06/20/getting-to-know-kyle-prepolec/ ↩
cagesidepress.com (2019-05-05). "UFC Fight Night 151 results". cagesidepress. Retrieved 2020-01-22. https://cagesidepress.com/2019/05/04/ufc-ottawa-results-nordine-taleb-decision-kyle-prepolec/ ↩
"Prepolec to face Hubbard at UFC Ottawa". Retrieved 2020-01-22. https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/windsor-mma-fighter-kyle-prepolec-returns-to-ufc-action-saturday ↩
"UFC Fight Night 158 results". 2020-01-22. Retrieved 2019-12-23. https://cagesidepress.com/2019/09/14/ufc-vancouver-results-austin-hubbard-wrestles-way-pass-kyle-prepolec/ ↩
cagesidepress.com. "Kyle Prepolec released from UFC". cagesidepress. Retrieved 2020-06-08. https://cagesidepress.com/2020/03/19/canadas-kyle-prepolec-among-numerous-fighters-released-ufc/ ↩
"Kyle Prepolec vs Michael Dufort". Retrieved 2021-10-27. https://mmaempire.ca/samourai-mma-1-fight-card/ ↩
"Alex Morgan 1er champion de Samourai MMA; Michael Dufort vaincu". RDS.ca (in French). 2021-11-19. Retrieved 2021-11-20. http://www.rds.ca/combat/ufc/alex-morgan-1er-champion-de-samourai-mma-michael-dufort-vaincu-1.14699711 ↩
Griffith, Joel (2022-03-06). "Shane Campbell, KB, Bhullar, Ryan Ford among the big winners at Unified MMA 43". MMA Empire. Retrieved 2022-03-07. https://mmaempire.ca/news/campbell-bhullar-ford-unified-mma-43/ ↩
Griffith, Joel (2022-10-23). "Kyle Prepolec, Gino Ghalehpardaz show out for home crowd at Prospect FC 14". MMA Empire. Retrieved 2022-11-02. https://mmaempire.ca/news/prepolec-ghalehpardaz-prospect-fc-14/ ↩
"Prospect FC 16 Live Results – MM-eh - MM-eh". mm-eh.ca. 2023-04-23. Retrieved 2023-05-27. https://mm-eh.ca/2023/04/prospect-fc-16-live-results-mm-eh/ ↩
Staff (2025-05-05). "Canadian Kyle Prepolec to replace Joel Alvarez on UFC 315 main card". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2025-05-05. https://www.sportsnet.ca/ufc/article/canadian-kyle-prepolec-to-replace-joel-alvarez-on-ufc-315-main-card/ ↩
Brett Cagle (2025-05-10). "Benoit Saint-Denis Cooks Prepolec Slowly, Submits Him In R2". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2025-05-10. https://cagesidepress.com/2025/05/10/benoit-saint-denis-cooks-prepolec-slowly-submits-him-in-r2/ ↩
Sherdog.com. "Kyle Prepolec". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-12-23. https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Kyle-Prepolec-80613 ↩