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WHO WILL FIGHT AT UFC CANADA?

Canadian Candidates Line Up for April Event

By Mike Russell (gfn@thefightnetwork.com)
Photos courtesy of UFC.com

Since the UFC announced it would be venturing into Montreal this April for its first-ever event north of the border, speculation has run rampant as to which Canadians will be on the card. Several names have been bandied about for the event, tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 19 at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Here are the likely candidates who could represent the red and white:

GEORGES ST. PIERRE (15-2)

One fighter who is a lock is newly crowned UFC interim welterweight champion St. Pierre. UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra told NBC Sports Friday that he’s already agreed to face the 26-year-old in his home province. Fresh off his second-round submission victory over Matt Hughes on Dec. 29 at UFC 79 in Las Vegas, St. Pierre is on a roll.

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JASON MACDONALD (19-9)

The 32-year-old Albertan middleweight revealed a few weeks ago that he was being “saved” for the April show. Macdonald, who is coming off of a unanimous decision loss to Yushin Okami at UFC 77 in October, said he hasn’t heard back from the UFC yet.

“I’m still waiting to hear. I’m surprised I haven’t heard anything yet. [Joe Silva] called me a while back before they announced the card and told me that they wanted to use me on the Canadian card,” MacDonald said. “At that point, I didn’t know anything about any Canadian card.”

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SAM STOUT (12-3-1)

A crowd favorite in Montreal, TKO lightweight champion Stout’s large contingent of supporters from London, Ontario would make the trek to cheer on their hometown boy. The 24-year-old striker was one half of the recipe that made up the June 12 "Fight of the Year" candidate against Spencer Fisher at a UFC Fight Night in Hollywood, Fla. Stout is set to face Swede Per Eklund (12-2-1) next at UFC 80 on Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England. A solid performance could earn a slot on April’s roster.

“I think they’re probably waiting to see how I do in my next fight," Stout said. “Hopefully, I’ll know then.”

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PATRICK COTE (11-4)

Another Bell Centre crowd favorite and TKO’s middleweight champion, Cote would be a likely delegate for the card. Like Stout, the French-Canadian has not been contacted by the UFC, as he is scheduled to face Drew McFedries (5-2) on Wednesday, Jan. 23 at Ultimate Fight Night 12 at the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. According to Cote, he has only read rumors of his possible inclusion on the card on the Internet.

“I’ve only heard that I might be fighting at that event,” said Cote, 27. “I have another fight to worry about first, so I’ll see when that is over.”

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JONATHAN GOULET (21-9, 1 NC)

A long-time fixture of the TKO franchise, Goulet worked hard last year to get back on the UFC’s radar. Goulet improved his Octagon standing to 3-3 after he defeated Paul Georgieff at "The Ultimate Fighter 6" Live Finale in December in Las Vegas. Goulet’s manager, Ken Pavia, indicated this week that Goulet’s Montreal appearance was not a done deal – a statement Goulet corroborated in an e-mail to The Fight Network.

“I didn't sign any contract yet, but, for sure, I will be [on] that card,” wrote Goulet.

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JEFF JOSLIN (5-3)

Unfortunately for Joslin fans, “The Inferno” is the one fighter on this list that will not be fighting in Montreal due to a nagging injury that kept him sidelined for most of 2007. Joslin was forced to withdraw from UFC bouts against Kuniyoshi Hironaka and Chris Lytle in 2007 and still has two fights remaining on his contract. Joslin hasn’t fought since losing by unanimous decision to Josh Koscheck in his Octagon debut at UFC Fight Night 7 in December 2006. He told The Fight Network he will not be ready to fight on the April card but is making improvements.

“[The injury] is healing pretty good. There have been more good days than bad days lately. I just need a bit more time to get back to 100 percent,” said Joslin. “I’d like to go check out [the UFC’s planned Montreal show] if I can. That would be pretty awesome.”

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VICTOR VALIMAKI (9-5)

Even though he would have loved nothing more than to fight for the UFC on his home soil, Valimaki said he just won’t be ready for the event. Valimaki just signed a non-exclusive deal with King of the Cage Canada and is hoping to gradually earn his way back into the Octagon after falling short in both of his UFC appearances.

“When I heard that the UFC was likely coming to Canada in April, I almost took a few fights before then to get ready, but I didn’t think I’d be ready for those fights,” said Valimaki. “I was going to fight in December, February and March, but I decided against doing that. I have a plan, and I’m going to stick to it.”

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ROGER HOLLETT (7-1)

A prime candidate for the spring event, vicious knockout specialist Hollett can chalk his exclusion up to the Canadian healthcare system. Sidelined by a knee injury sustained during his Extreme Cage Combat loss to the American Top Team’s Lew Polley last October in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the light heavyweight could have been ready for the April card if he had undergone surgery immediately. Due to the high demand for orthopedic surgery, Hollett revealed last week that he still doesn’t know when he’ll get his operation.

“I tore my [anterior cruciate ligament], my [medial collateral ligament] and my meniscus. I’m just waiting on a surgery date now,” he said.

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MARK BOCEK (5-1)

Canada’s most decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Bocek defeated Doug Evans by decision at UFC 79 on Dec. 29 and would seem another likely candidate for Montreal. Since Bocek’s camp keeps their contract dealings to themselves, his inclusion on the card will be news to all.

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JASON DAY (14-5)

Outside of Canada, not many are familiar with this Lethbridge, Alberta native, but Day is another possibility for the UFC’s northern invasion. Undefeated in his past three fights – which included two against UFC veterans Jonathan Goulet and Ron Faircloth – Day has received interest from matchmaker Joe Silva. Day hasn’t been contacted for April yet, he said, but showed interest in facing another middleweight participant on the card.

“Maybe they will have the two Jasons from Alberta square off,” Day said. “Wouldn’t that be something?”

POSTED -- 01/07/08

The Fight Network :: ALL FIGHTS ALL THE TIME :: Get it on!

Man Im hoping they do another Canada vs USA type thing. Definetly wanna see Bocek, and Stout, Mcdonald, and Hollet on the Card. Obviously along with GSP.... Either way im there.

ApoC

[smoogy]

Yeah I was thinking about this when they announced the April card, right now all the Canadian guys under UFC control or on the radar look like they might be available. I doubt Hollett will be included even if he is healthy because he may be hooking up with HCF. But I really hope Jason Day ends up fighting, he is one of the best Canadians yet to fight in a major show

[Gmunit]

rumours of Shogun making his return that night too

i hope they DON'T do a CAN vs US thing, just put a couple Canadians on there and they'll sell out (probably sell-out w/o Canadian guys anyway)

[tmlfan]

Originally Posted by Gmunit

rumours of Shogun making his return that night too

i hope they DON'T do a CAN vs US thing, just put a couple Canadians on there and they'll sell out (probably sell-out w/o Canadian guys anyway)

agreed, no Can vs US

just good fights. I would like to see another top 10'er on the card though

[mitchpmma]

I'll for sure be going to the fight. I'ld prefer not to have USA vs Canada, also the fight card shouldnt only contain canadian fighters in each fight. Thanks Gmunit for the rumor on Shogun...that would be great. Do you have any other rumors for that card/

[Gmunit]

Originally Posted by mitchpmma

I'll for sure be going to the fight. I'ld prefer not to have USA vs Canada, also the fight card shouldnt only contain canadian fighters in each fight. Thanks Gmunit for the rumor on Shogun...that would be great. Do you have any other rumors for that card/

not right now, i read an interview with him and he said he's preparing for an April fight and this is the only card in April

If I hear anything else, I'll let everyone know (although I get most of my info from here, LOL)

[playuntiltheskyisblack]

How foolish would that be.
GSP, AND Shogun?
I'm the MOST stoked for this show.

Aaaaaand I just got that sinking feeling.
I don't count on GSP losing, BUT (since it happened before) could you imagine how the crowd would react if he did?

[ninjastix]

Originally Posted by playuntiltheskyisblack

How foolish would that be.
GSP, AND Shogun?
I'm the MOST stoked for this show.

Aaaaaand I just got that sinking feeling.
I don't count on GSP losing, BUT (since it happened before) could you imagine how the crowd would react if he did?

I think it would be the same as when Anderson demolished Franklin in front of his hometown...

There's no bad blood between Serra and Pierre, they like each other as far as I can tell and have respect for one another. St. Pierre is always gracious in defeat so I wouldn't expect anything controversial.

[playuntiltheskyisblack]

Originally Posted by ninjastix

I think it would be the same as when Anderson demolished Franklin in front of his hometown...

There's no bad blood between Serra and Pierre, they like each other as far as I can tell and have respect for one another. St. Pierre is always gracious in defeat so I wouldn't expect anything controversial.

I dunno man. With all due respect, Montreal sports fans are dicks.
Ever watch a hockey game when they played in Montreal? The razzing never stops. I personally think it's hilarious though.
I try not to worry about Serra at all. Just everything about the way he carries himself bothers me in some way, so if they do in fact respect and like each other, I wouldn't know.

And yeah Georges is a class act all day, every day.

[Gmunit]

I'm bringing a sign:



"Boo-ing = No Class"