# Dakota Cochrane

Dakota Galen Cochrane (born May 1, 1986) 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.

## Mixed martial arts career
### Early career

Cochrane competed seven times as an amateur, going undefeated. He made his pro debut in November 2009.
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.

### 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. 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. He lost the fight via rear naked choke submission in the first round.
Cochrane faced Ryan Couture at Bellator 135 on March 27, 2015. He lost the fight via rear naked choke submission in the first round and was subsequently released from the promotion.

## 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. He defeated Johny Hendricks by technical knockout in the second round.

### 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.
Cochrane faced Tyler Vogel at BKFC 15: Shewmaker vs. O'Bannon on December 11, 2020. He won by fifth-round TKO.
On September 10, 2021, Cochrane lost to Mike Richman at BKFC 21 by knockout in the second round.
Cochrane faced Josh Dyer at BKFC Fight Night: Omaha on May 13, 2022 and lost by first-round knockout.
Cochrane won his next bout against Eduardo Peralta at BKFC 33 on November 18, 2022 by knockout in the fifth round. 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. He won the fight by knockout in the second round.
Cochrane faced Will Santiago on February 1, 2025 at BKFC on DAZN: Mohegan Sun. He won the fight by technical knockout in the third round.
Cochrane is scheduled to face Marcus Edwards in the main event on April 18, 2025 at BKFC Fight Night: Omaha.

## Personal life

Dakota and his wife Lacey have three children.
Cochrane participated in gay pornography films, appearing on the gay porn website Sean Cody starting around 2008 under the stage name Danny. During his career in porn, Cochrane made around $80,000. Cochrane said he worked as a gay-for-pay actor and stopped participating in gay porn after his girlfriend at the time requested it.

## Championships and accomplishments

* Dynasty Combat Sports
** DCS Welterweight Championship (One time, current)
* M-1 Global
** M-1 Global USA National Welterweight Championship (One time)
* 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 | Exhibition record breakdown | |
| 1 match | 0 wins | 1 loss |
| By knockout | 0 | 0 |
| By submission | 0 | 0 |
| By decision | 0 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 0–1 | James Vick | Decision (split) | The Ultimate Fighter: Live | March 9, 2012 | 1 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | 1-round TUF entry fight |

## Bareknuckle boxing record

Professional record breakdown :
| 9 matches | 7 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 2 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Win | 7–2 | Will Santiago | TKO | BKFC on DAZN: Mohegan Sun | February 1, 2025 | 3 | 1:03 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States |
| 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 | |