Michael Andrew Kyle[1] (born March 31, 1980) is an American professional mixed martial artist and boxer currently competing in the Heavyweight division.

A professional competitor since 2001, Kyle has competed for the UFC, the WEC, Strikeforce, the World Series of Fighting, Absolute Championship Berkut, Pancrase, and King of the Cage.

Eilers and a friend who were both two grades ahead of Kyle, taught him Brazilian jiu-jitsu techniques when he was a sophomore in high school.

Kyle was also a talented football player, playing fullback for Butte College in Oroville, California and Eastern Oregon University.

He was invited to a spring camp for the San Francisco 49ers, but ultimately decided to focus on mixed martial arts.

Despite rocking Bobish early in the fight and almost pulling off the upset, Kyle was handed his first career loss after he submitted due to punches.

[2] In his next fight, Kyle made his debut in the WEC, and snapped his two-fight losing streak with a knockout win.

Sims took the fight a days notice after Kyle's original opponent filled into the main event after Tim Sylvia failed a drug test.

However, the plan fell through and in his next bout he fought in Japan's Pancrase where he defeated Japanese legend Tsuyoshi Kohsaka.

Kyle won the fight via (technical) decision in round three after ringside doctors ruled Kohsaka unable to continue.

Kyle picked up one of the biggest victories of his career, winning by knockout against the future Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion.

[2] After his huge win over Calvacante, Kyle fought against Fabrício Werdum in a Heavyweight bout at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg in San Jose, California.

[2] He then fought Jeremy Freitag at Xtreme MMA Australia 1 winning via TKO due to knees in the third round.

Kyle next signed with King of the Cage and fought against Travis Wiuff in a Heavyweight bout, initially winning by TKO (doctor stoppage) in the second round.

In his second fight with King of the Cage Kyle fought Jon Murphy and won via TKO at 4:53 of round two.

Kyle stepped in on late notice to fight Antônio "Bigfoot" Silva at Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II on December 4 in St. Louis, Missouri in a Heavyweight bout.

[6] Kyle knocked Silva down with a powerful right hand and delivered many shots on the ground but was unable to finish.

[7] Kyle was set to face Gegard Mousasi at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley, but had to withdraw due to a broken hand.

Kyle was expected to face Gegard Mousasi at Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey, but withdrew from the fight due to injury.

[14] However, Johnson was forced out of the bout due to injury and Kyle faced former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski at the event.