Get ready for an action-packed UFC event in Toronto as Mike Malott, a local fighter, prepares to fight in front of a hometown crowd for the first time in his UFC career. Find out more about the event and the excitement surrounding it.
| Key Points |
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| Mike Malott, a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, is set to fight in front of a hometown crowd in Toronto for the first time in his UFC career. |
| The upcoming UFC event in Toronto will feature a championship card headlined by the title bout between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis. |
| Sportsnet has secured the rights to broadcast the English-language Canadian broadcasts of UFC starting from January 1, 2024. |
| Canada is the third-largest market for UFC and has been a source of talented fighters for the organization. |
| Charles Jourdain, a featherweight fighter from Quebec, is excited about fighting in Canada for the first time in his UFC career. |
| Canadian fighters acknowledge the influence of Georges St-Pierre and see the current stage as an opportunity for Canadian fighters to shine. |
| UFC promises to find a pay-per-view date in Canada every year. |
Mike Malott’s Homecoming Fight
The anticipation is building as mixed martial arts fighter Mike Malott prepares to step into the octagon in front of a hometown crowd for the first time in his UFC career. On January 20, UFC will make its long-awaited return to Toronto, featuring a championship card headlined by the title bout between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis. Malott, a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu with an impressive record, is thrilled to have the opportunity to fight on home soil.
The energy and excitement of fighting in Vancouver last June left Malott craving for more. Now, he gets to fight in the closest city to his hometown of Burlington, Ontario – Toronto. The fight will take place at the iconic Scotiabank Arena, formerly known as the ACC, where Malott used to watch the Leafs play as a kid. This is a monumental moment for him.
"Scotiabank Arena is going to be absolutely vibrating on fight night," Malott exclaimed.
UFC has also announced a multiyear deal with Sportsnet, who will be broadcasting the English-language Canadian broadcasts of UFC starting from January 1, 2024. Canada is the third-largest market for UFC, and the country has been a breeding ground for talented fighters. Sportsnet’s commitment to showcasing Canadian athletes and telling their stories has played a significant role in raising the profile of MMA in the country.
Charles Jourdain, a featherweight fighter from Quebec, expressed his excitement about fighting in Canada for the first time in his UFC career. He mentioned the support he has from fans coming down from Quebec and believes that the fans are thrilled about the upcoming event.
Malott acknowledged the influence of Canadian MMA legend Georges St-Pierre and the path he has paved for Canadian fighters. He sees the current stage as an amazing opportunity for Canadian fighters to shine and expects Canada to make another huge run in the MMA world.
While Canada may not have a designated annual spot on the UFC pay-per-view calendar like Madison Square Garden or the International Fight Week in Las Vegas, UFC promises to find a pay-per-view date in Canada every year.
Stay tuned for more updates on the upcoming UFC event in Toronto and the incredible fights that await!
