Issue 058
January 2010
The second-largest country on earth may only have a population of 33 million, but Canadians are among the most passionate fans of the sport in the whole world. MMA is enjoying a huge boom in the country with repeat visits from the UFC, and many regional promotions springing up. Canada has also produced some truly fantastic fighters, a small selection of which we profile here.
Georges St Pierre, 170lb (19-2-0)
IN BRIEF: Montreal-based super-athlete and UFC welterweight champion.
KNOWN FOR: Being able to fight at an elite level in any range. The best all-rounder in the game.
STRONG POINTS: Physically unmatched among his peers, the best coaching in the business and humble to boot.
MUST-SEE FIGHT: To see his destructive capabilities, his fights with Jon Fitch or Matt Hughes are worth a look.
WHAT NEXT? St Pierre will return to defend his title in 2010.
Krzysztof Soszynski, 205lb (18-9-1)
IN BRIEF: Polish-born Canadian fighter Soszynski fights out of Team Quest in California.
KNOWN FOR: His strength (Soszynski was formerly a bodybuilder and pro wrestler) and his devastating kimura.
STRONG POINTS: He can call fighters such as Dan Henderson, Sokoudjou and more as teammates.
MUST-SEE FIGHT: Check out his first-round KO win over Andre Gusmao.
WHAT NEXT? K-Soz had elbow surgery in October and hopes to return early in 2010.
Joe Doerksen, 185lb (43-12-0)
IN BRIEF: Veteran of over 50 MMA fights, Manitoba’s Doerksen is a tough competitor.
KNOWN FOR: Fighting in the US, Canada and Japan in the likes of the UFC, WEC, Sengoku, Deep and more.
STRONG POINTS: Good ground game – he has 32 wins by submission.
MUST-SEE FIGHT: Check out his IFL fights with Brian Foster or Ryan McGivern.
WHAT NEXT? Doerksen continues to fight in Japan for Sengoku.
Jason MacDonald, 185lb (21-13-0)
IN BRIEF: Ten-time UFC veteran who fights out of Edmonton, Alberta.
KNOWN FOR: His ‘fight anyone’ mentality; his list of opponents reads like a who’s who of MMA.
STRONG POINTS: Solid ground game – he has 17 wins by submission.
MUST-SEE FIGHT: Check out his UFC 83 fight with fellow Canadian Joe Doerksen.
WHAT NEXT? MacDonald now fights as a main event attraction for Canadian event MFC in Alberta.
Patrick Cote, 185lb (18-5-0)
IN BRIEF: Heavy-handed Francophone from Quebec City.
KNOWN FOR: Unfortunately he will be best remembered for suffering a knee injury during his fight with Anderson Silva.
STRONG POINTS: Sharp hands, benefits from the coaching of striking supremo Mark DellaGrotte.
MUST-SEE FIGHT: His KO wins over Kendall Grove and Drew McFedries are worth a look.
WHAT NEXT? Cote’s knee injury is healed and he is poised to return to the Octagon any time soon.
Sam Stout, 155lb (14-5-1)
IN BRIEF: London, Ontario-based kickboxing machine trained by Shawn Tompkins.
KNOWN FOR: His fast hands and feet, relentless pace and aggressive style.
STRONG POINTS: Stout has only been stopped twice in his career – but has finished over half of his fights.
MUST-SEE FIGHT: His two wars with Spencer Fisher (they won one apiece) are exhilarating to watch.
WHAT NEXT? Stout faces off against Joe Lauzon on UFC 108 in January 2010.
Sarah Kaufman, 135lb (10-0-0)
IN BRIEF: Canada’s top female fighter, Kaufman fights out of Victoria, BC.
KNOWN FOR: She was the first and only Hardcore Championship Fighting women’s bantamweight champion.
STRONG POINTS: Undefeated at 10-0-0, Kaufman is a well-rounded competitor able to fight in every range.
MUST-SEE FIGHT: Her three-round war with Shayna Baszler is essential viewing for fans of female fighters.
WHAT NEXT? Kaufman competes in Strikeforce and hopes to fight for a title in the near future.
