Dakota Cochrane
American mixed martial arts fighter
Dakota Galen Cochrane (born May 1, 1986)[ 1] is an American mixed martial artist who fights in the Lightweight and Welterweight divisions. He has competed for Bellator MMA , Resurrection Fighting Alliance , Legacy Fighting Championship , Titan Fighting Championships , and Legacy Fighting Alliance . Cochrane is currently competing as a bare-knuckle boxer in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). He has victories over former UFC fighters Johny Hendricks and Chris Leben .
Background
Cochrane attended University of Nebraska at Kearney , where he was an all-league pole vaulter and relay runner .[ 2]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Cochrane competed seven times as an amateur, going undefeated. He made his pro debut in November 2009.[ 3]
Cochrane began his professional career in late 2009, amassing a 4–0 start before his first loss to future UFC fighter TJ O'Brien in July 2010. O'Brien used his grappling to defeat Cochrane by rear naked choke early in the first round.
Cochrane bounced back from the loss bringing his record to 11–1 including a late replacement bout against former WEC champion Jamie Varner at Titan Fighting Championships 20 on September 23, 2011. The fight was taken on four days' notice and was fought at a catch-weight of 165 lb. Cochrane dominated the fight—both standing and on the ground—in a hard-fought unanimous-decision win.[ 4]
The Ultimate Fighter
Cochrane appeared in the first episode of The Ultimate Fighter: Live facing James Vick . He lost to Vick via split decision.
Resurrection Fighting Alliance
Cochrane then fought former NCAA wrestling standout Ramico Blackmon at RFA 1 on December 16, 2011 in Kearney, Nebraska . Cochrane lost the fight by a 3-round unanimous decision in which Blackmon used his superior wrestling to neutralize Cochrane's stand up attack.
Cochrane lost for the second straight time in the RFA when he was submitted in the first round by Cliff Wright at RFA 2 on March 30, 2012. Cochrane took down Wright early in the round, but Wright was able to reverse the position, get Cochrane's back, and subsequently choke Cochrane unconscious with a rear naked choke.
Cochrane next defeated former UFC lightweight title contender Joe Stevenson in the main event of RFA 3 on June 30, 2012. After outstriking and outgrappling an out of shape Stevenson, Cochrane was able to sink in a rear naked choke to force the tap 64 seconds into the second round.
Cochrane won his second straight RFA fight at RFA 4 with a dominant victory over Derrick Burnsed. After escaping several submission attempts from Burnsed early on, Cochrane was able to latch on to a fight-ending armbar late in the first round.
Cochrane defeated Deivison Francisco Ribeiro via TKO due to elbows in the third round at RFA 6, Cochrane dominated the fight before finishing Ribeiro.
Cochrane stepped inside the cage again at RFA 17 against Christos Giagos for RFA's inaugural lightweight title on August 22 at the Sanford Pentagon, which was South Dakota's first-ever sanctioned MMA event.[ 5] He lost the fight by KO due to a flying knee in round 2. This marked the first time Dakota had been knocked out in his career.
Bellator MMA
Cochrane stepped in for an injured Derek Campos to face Alexander Sarnavskiy at Bellator 128 on October 10, 2014.[ 6] He lost the fight via rear naked choke submission in the first round.
Cochrane faced Ryan Couture at Bellator 135 on March 27, 2015.[ 7] He lost the fight via rear naked choke submission in the first round and was subsequently released from the promotion.[ 8]
Bare knuckle boxing
World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation
Cochrane replaced Brennan Ward at World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation's inaugural event on November 9, 2018.[ 9] He defeated Johny Hendricks by technical knockout in the second round.[ 10]
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
Cochrane's next bare-knuckle boxing match was against Chris Leben at Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 6: Malignaggi vs. Lobov on June 22, 2019. Cochrane won the match by unanimous decision.[ 11]
Cochrane faced Tyler Vogel at BKFC 15: Shewmaker vs. O'Bannon on December 11, 2020. He won by fifth-round TKO.[ 12]
On September 10, 2021, Cochrane lost to Mike Richman at BKFC 21 by knockout in the second round.[ 13]
Cochrane faced Josh Dyer at BKFC Fight Night: Omaha on May 13, 2022 and lost by first-round knockout.[ 14]
Cochrane won his next bout against Eduardo Peralta at BKFC 33 on November 18, 2022 by knockout in the fifth round.[ 15] Cochrane knocked out Noah Cutter on May 19, 2023 early in the first round at BKFC 43 .
Cochrane faced Jeremie Holloway in the co-main event of BKFC Fight Night Omaha on May 17, 2024.[ 16] He won the fight by knockout in the second round.[ 17]
Personal life
Dakota and his wife Lacey have three children.[ 18]
Cochrane participated in gay pornography films, appearing on the gay porn website Sean Cody .[ 19] Cochrane said he worked as a gay-for-pay actor and stopped participating in gay porn after his girlfriend at the time requested it.[ 20]
Championships and accomplishments
Dynasty Combat Sports
DCS Welterweight Championship (One time, current)
Victory Fighting Championship
VFC Welterweight Championship (One time)
Total Warrior Combat
TWC Welterweight Championship (One time)
The Cage Inc.
TCI Lightweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
47 matches
34 wins
13 losses
By knockout
7
2
By submission
17
8
By decision
10
2
By disqualification
0
1
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Win
34–13
Justin Baesman
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
DCS 77: New Years Knockout 2022
January 14, 2022
2
3:52
Omaha, Nebraska , United States
Won the vacant DCS Welterweight Championship.
Win
33–13
James Warfield
Submission (guillotine choke)
M-1 Global: Road to M-1 USA 2
April 4, 2019
1
1:19
Winterhaven, California , United States
Won the M-1 USA National Welterweight Championship .
Loss
32–13
Scott Futrell
Submission (rear naked choke)
DCS 45: Ballyard Brawl Night 2
July 28, 2018
2
2:19
Lincoln, Nebraska , United States
For the DCS Welterweight Championship
Win
32–12
Julian Lane
Submission (rear naked choke)
DCS 42: Rumble At The Ralston
May 25, 2018
1
2:35
Ralston, Nebraska , United States
Win
31–12
Drew Lipton
Submission (guillotine choke)
DCS 38: Seasons Beatings 2017
December 9, 2017
1
0:21
Lincoln, Nebraska , United States
Win
30–12
Ciro Rodrigues
Decision (split)
LFA 25
October 20, 2017
3
5:00
Ralston, Nebraska , United States
Win
29–12
Maki Pitolo
Submission (guillotine choke)
Victory FC 58
July 22, 2017
2
4:58
Omaha, Nebraska , United States
Win
28–12
David Castillo
Decision (unanimous)
Victory FC Fight Night Harrah's 5
June 3, 2017
3
5:00
Council Bluffs, Iowa , United States
Loss
27–12
Jordan Larson
DQ (illegal knee)
Legacy Fighting Alliance Fight Night 1
April 29, 2017
2
1:15
Sioux Falls, South Dakota , United States
Loss
27–11
E.J. Brooks
Decision (unanimous)
Victory FC 56
April 14, 2017
3
5:00
Omaha, Nebraska , United States
Win
27–10
Jake Lindsey
Submission (guillotine choke)
Victory FC 55
December 23, 2016
1
0:53
Topeka, Kansas , United States
Won the VFC Welterweight Championship
Win
26–10
Jos Eichelberger
Submission (rear naked choke)
Legacy Fighting Championship 60
October 7, 2016
2
4:47
Hinckley, Minnesota , United States
Win
25–10
Jason Witt
Submission (rear naked choke)
Victory FC 52
July 16, 2016
2
3:17
Omaha, Nebraska , United States
Win
24–10
Dequan Townsend
Decision (split)
TWC 29: Jaynes vs. Lamson
May 14, 2016
5
5:00
Lansing, Michigan , United States
Won TWC Welterweight Championship
Loss
23–10
Valdir Araujo
TKO (punches)
Victory FC 49
April 1, 2016
2
4:21
Omaha, Nebraska , United States
Win
23–9
Jake Lindsey
Submission (guillotine choke)
Victory FC 47
January 29, 2016
3
3:43
Omaha, Nebraska , United States
Win
22–9
Raymond Gray
TKO (punches)
Dynasty Combat Sports 22: Seasons Beatings 2015
November 28, 2015
1
3:11
Lincoln, Nebraska , United States
Win
21–9
Ben Neumann
Decision (unanimous)
RFA 32: Blumer vs. Higo
November 6, 2015
3
5:00
Prior Lake, Minnesota , United States
Win
20–9
Sean Huffman
Submission (punches)
VFC: Fight Night at Harrahs 3
September 11, 2015
1
1:53
Council Bluffs, Iowa , United States
Return to Welterweight
Win
19–9
Mike Bruno
TKO (flying knee and punches)
Titan FC 34
July 18, 2015
3
0:51
Kansas City, Missouri , United States
Loss
18–9
Jesse Steele McCall
Submission (rear naked choke)
VFC: Fight Night at Harrahs 2
June 6, 2015
1
4:57
Council Bluffs, Iowa , United States
Loss
18–8
Ryan Couture
Submission (rear naked choke)
Bellator 135
March 27, 2015
1
3:23
Thackerville, Oklahoma , United States
Win
18–7
Ted Worthington
TKO (punches)
Dynasty Combat Sports 12: Seasons Beatings 2014
December 5, 2014
1
0:43
Lincoln, Nebraska , United States
Loss
17–7
Alexander Sarnavskiy
Submission (rear naked choke)
Bellator 128
October 10, 2014
1
2:32
Thackerville, Oklahoma , United States
Loss
17–6
Christos Giagos
KO (flying knee and punches)
RFA 17: Cochrane vs. Giagos
August 22, 2014
2
2:04
Sioux Falls, South Dakota , United States
For inaugural RFA Lightweight Championship
Win
17–5
Anton Kuivanen
KO (flying knee)
Fight Night Finland: Cochrane vs. Kuivanen
June 14, 2014
1
0:48
Helsinki , Finland
Win
16–5
Efrain Escudero
Decision (unanimous)
RFA 13: Cochrane vs. Escudero
March 7, 2014
3
5:00
Lincoln, Nebraska , United States
Loss
15–5
Chris Heatherly
Submission (armbar)
Warriors for Heroes
October 26, 2013
1
4:13
St. Louis , Missouri , United States
For the vacant Warriors for Heroes Welterweight Championship
Win
15–4
Carey Vanier
KO (elbow)
Victory FC 40
July 27, 2013
1
4:23
Ralston, Nebraska , United States
Loss
14–4
Marcus Edwards
Submission (rear naked choke)
Disorderly Conduct 19 – The Tribute
May 24, 2013
1
1:46
Omaha, Nebraska , United States
Win
14–3
Deivison Francisco Ribeiro
TKO (elbows)
RFA 6: Krause vs. Imada 2
January 18, 2013
3
4:32
Kansas City, Missouri , United States
Win
13–3
Derrick Burnsed
Submission (armbar)
RFA 4: Griffin vs. Escudero
November 2, 2012
1
4:38
Las Vegas , Nevada , United States
Win
12–3
Joe Stevenson
Submission (rear naked choke)
RFA 3: Stevenson vs. Cochrane
June 30, 2012
2
1:04
Kearney, Nebraska , United States
Loss
11–3
Cliff Wright
Submission (rear naked choke)
RFA 2: Yvel vs. Alexander
March 30, 2012
1
4:39
Kearney, Nebraska , United States
Loss
11–2
Ramico Blackmon
Decision (unanimous)
RFA 1: Pulver vs. Elliott
December 16, 2011
3
5:00
Kearney, Nebraska , United States
165 lb catchweight
Win
11–1
Jamie Varner
Decision (unanimous)
Titan FC 20
September 23, 2011
3
5:00
Kansas City, Kansas , United States
165 lb catchweight
Win
10–1
George Sheppard
Decision (split)
The Cage Inc. – Battle at the Border 10
June 30, 2011
5
5:00
Hankinson, North Dakota , United States
Won the TCI Lightweight Championship
Win
9–1
Rod Montoya
Submission (rear naked choke)
Extreme Challenge 181
December 16, 2010
1
1:20
Council Bluffs, Iowa , United States
Win
8–1
Marshall Martin
KO (punch)
The Cage Inc. – Battle at the Border 8
April 15, 2011
2
1:57
Hankinson, North Dakota , United States
Win
7–1
Marcus LeVesseur
Submission (triangle choke)
Seconds Out/Vivid MMA: Combat On Capital Hill 4
November 12, 2010
1
4:08
St. Paul, Minnesota , United States
Win
6–1
Will Shutt
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
Extreme Challenge 162
October 1, 2010
1
1:36
Council Bluffs, Iowa , United States
Win
5–1
Jon Knutson
Decision (unanimous)
The Cage Inc. – Battle at the Border 6
August 21, 2010
3
5:00
Hankinson, North Dakota , United States
Loss
4–1
TJ O'Brien
Submission (rear naked choke)
Extreme Challenge – High Stakes
July 16, 2010
1
2:00
Council Bluffs, Iowa , United States
Win
4–0
Cory Simpson
Submission (rear naked choke)
The Cage Inc. – Battle at the Border 5
May 15, 2010
2
2:40
Hankinson, North Dakota , United States
Win
3–0
Carlos Cladio
Submission (rear naked choke)
The Cage Inc. – Proving Grounds 2
April 2, 2010
1
2:05
Hankinson, North Dakota , United States
Win
2–0
Jeremy Malaterre
Decision (unanimous)
Victory FC 30 – Night of Champions
February 5, 2010
3
5:00
Council Bluffs, Iowa , United States
Win
1–0
Alex Harper
Decision (unanimous)
Victory FC 29 – The Rising
November 13, 2009
3
5:00
Council Bluffs, Iowa , United States
Exhibition record breakdown
1 match
0 wins
1 loss
By knockout
0
0
By submission
0
0
By decision
0
1
Bareknuckle boxing record
Professional record breakdown
8 matches
6 wins
2 losses
By knockout
5
2
By decision
1
0
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Win
6–2
Jeremie Holloway
KO
BKFC Fight Night: Omaha
May 17, 2024
2
0:42
Omaha, Nebraska , United States
Win
5–2
Noah Cutter
KO (punches)
BKFC 43
May 19, 2023
1
0:56
Omaha, Nebraska , United States
Win
4–2
Eduardo Peralta
KO (punches)
BKFC 33
November 18, 2022
5
0:35
Omaha, Nebraska , United States
Middleweight (175 lb) debut.
Loss
3–2
Josh Dyer
KO (punches)
BKFC Fight Night: Omaha
May 13, 2022
1
1:39
Omaha, Nebraska , United States
Loss
3–1
Mike Richman
KO (punch)
BKFC 21
September 10, 2021
2
0:37
Omaha, Nebraska , United States
Win
3–0
Tyler Vogel
TKO (doctor stoppage)
BKFC 15
December 11, 2020
5
1:21
Biloxi , Mississippi , United States
Light heavyweight (185 lb) debut.
Win
2–0
Chris Leben
Decision (unanimous)
BKFC 6
June 22, 2019
5
2:00
Tampa , Florida , United States
Win
1–0
Johny Hendricks
TKO (punches)
World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation
November 9, 2018
2
0:21
Casper, Wyoming , United States
References
^ a b Mixed martial arts show results Date: November 2, 2012
^ a b Mike Chiappetta (February 28, 2012). "Dakota Cochrane Discusses Controversial Past as He Prepares to Chase UFC Dream" . mmafighting.com.
^ Nate, Kid (February 28, 2012). "Dakota Cochrane, MMA Record" . BloodyElbow.com. Retrieved 2013-03-02 .
^ "Dakota Cochrane uses win over Jamie Varner to gain MMA notice" . MMAdiehards . Retrieved 2012-02-28 .
^ "RFA 17: Cochrane vs. Giagos Fight Card" . mmablog.iconicitv.com. August 4, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-08-06.
^ "Dakota Cochrane replaces Derek Campos, meets Alexander Sarnavskiy on Friday at Bellator 128" . TheMMAReport.com. October 7, 2014.
^ "Bellator 135 adds Francis Carmont-Guilherme Viana, Dakota Cochrane-Ryan Couture" . mmajunkie.com. February 2, 2015.
^ Tristen Critchfield (April 1, 2015). "Bellator MMA Releases Former 'TUF 15' Cast Member Dakota Cochrane" . sherdog.com.
^ Jesse Holland (September 17, 2018). "Report: Johny Hendricks crosses over to bareknuckle boxing, fights Brennan Ward on Nov. 9" . mmamania.com.
^ "Dakota Cochrane knocks out Johny Hendricks at WBKFF" . mmafighting.com. November 10, 2018.
^ Martin, Damon (June 22, 2019). "BKFC 6 results: Dakota Cochrane pulls off short notice win over Chris Leben" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved June 23, 2019 .
^ "Bare Knuckle FC 15 Results" . MMA Sucka . 2020-12-11. Retrieved 2022-05-14 .
^ "BKFC 21 full results: Mike Richman knocks down Dakota Cochrane five times before second-round stoppage" . MMA Junkie . 2021-09-10. Retrieved 2024-04-11 .
^ "BKFC Fight Night 'Omaha' Results: Dyer Knocks Out Cochrane" . Combat Press . 2024-04-06. Retrieved 2024-04-11 .
^ "BKFC 33 Results: Alexander Stops Beltran in Round 2" . Combat Press . 2024-04-06. Retrieved 2024-04-11 .
^ "BKFC FIGHT NIGHT OMAHA" . Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships . Retrieved 2024-04-11 .
^ "BKFC Fight Night Omaha Results | BKFC" . Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship . Retrieved 2024-05-18 .
^ Dan Kuhl (December 9, 2020). "BKFC 15's Dakota Cochrane back to business" . combatpress.com.
^ "From One Reality to Another: Dakota Cochrane Calls His Gay Porn Past a 'Mistake' " . Out . February 29, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2024 .
^ Chiapetta, Mike (February 28, 2012). "Dakota Cochrane Discusses Controversial Past as He Prepares to Chase UFC Dream" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved June 23, 2019 .
External links