It looks as if everything is coming together for an April meeting in Montreal between the actual and the interim UFC welterweight champions. Current champ Matt Serra (Pictures) told NBCsports.com that the meeting was indeed scheduled, adding that his back has been "rapidly improving" and he is excited about defending the championship.
The UFC is cognizant of its huge following in Canada and has desired to hold a show there for several years. However, the timing never seemed right with the preferred venue, Montreal's Bell Centre.
Although the fight has not been officially confirmed by the UFC, Serra's comment has excited many fans across Canada, not the least of which is St. Pierre himself.
When asked about the possibility of meeting Serra in the Bell Centre, the Montreal native told Sherdog.com, "It would be a dream come true."
St. Pierre earned the right to rematch Serra after dismantling former dominant UFC champion Matt Hughes (Pictures). The second round armbar victory gave St. Pierre (15-2) the edge in the rubber match.
Phoenix Fight Promotions
The newest Canadian MMA promotion gets set for its first event this weekend. The Nova Scotia-based Phoenix Fight Promotions has a solid first card set up, with UFC veteran Edwin Dewees (Pictures) facing Kingston, Ontario's Cory MacDonald (Pictures) in the main event.
Although not nearly as well known in international circles as Dewees, MacDonald displayed exceptional ground skills in his match with BJJ phenom Rowan Cunningham (Pictures). He was also winning the standup before an injury forced him to retire in a bout against Jonathan Goulet (Pictures), which suggests MacDonald's meeting with Dewees should be an excellent matchup.
Another match that has those in the know salivating is between Peter McGrath (Pictures) and Vartan Pour Nick. The two featherweights from rival Halifax clubs have shown some crazy standup skills mixed with a heaping dose of aggression. Look for fireworks in this one.
Jorge Gurgel (Pictures)'s student Jon Stutzman makes the trip north to face BTT Canada's Tim Wadsworth, and heavyweight Ryan Jimmo (Pictures) looks to make it four wins in a row when he takes on muay Thai specialist Samir Saif. Unfortunately for Jason MacKay (Pictures), his scheduled opponent, Steve Claveau (Pictures), contracted a case of the mumps while training with westerner Jason Day and had to withdraw. PFP hopes to locate a late replacement for MacKay and is talking with various outlets, such as American Top Team and TKO boss Stephane Patry.
Full Card:
Edwin Dewees (Pictures) vs. Cory MacDonald (Pictures)
Jason MacKay (Pictures) vs. TBA
Brad Cardinal vs. Yves Jabouin
Samir Saif vs. Ryan Jimmo (Pictures)
Craig Skinner (Pictures) vs. Chad Cox
Jon Stutzman vs. Tim Wadsworth
Clint Martin vs. Mike Scudder (Pictures)
Iraj Hadin vs. Steve Rogers
Shayne Daley vs. Chris Currie
Peter McGrath (Pictures) vs. Vartan Pour Nick
Jason Rorison vs. Jon Macgrath
Remi Morvan vs. Larry Sockobasin
‘The Crow' to Fight This Weekend
Popular Canadian middleweight David Loiseau (Pictures) takes part in his first fight since last May when he competes against Leopoldo Serao (Pictures) this weekend in San Diego at the inaugural World Cagefighting Organization.
Billed as the "Superstar of Undercards," the WCO has a litany of mixed martial artists with decent name recognition, including Renato Sobral (Pictures), Vernon White, Joe Riggs (Pictures), Mark Kerr (Pictures), Ricco Rodriguez (Pictures), Drew Fickett (Pictures) and Tiki Ghosn (Pictures).
Since his last fight in the UFC in September 2006, Loiseau has been concentrating on fighting in smaller events. He has also started his own promotion, Ring Extreme, with partner Steve Claveau (Pictures).
‘Real Deal' to Face ‘Secret Weapon'
Edmonton's Maximum Fighting Championship announced that its 170-pound dynamo Ryan Ford will be taking on Pete "The Secret Weapon" Spratt at MFC 15 on Feb. 22.
This is a huge step up in competition for the 4-0 Ford. Spratt, 17-10, is a true veteran of the sport -- a multi-time UFC veteran who has fought a who's who of welterweight competition. Ford has already shown himself to be someone to keep an eye on, but a victory over Spratt would be a big feather in his cap.
Valimaki Signs with KOTC Canada
KOTC Canada President Ken Kupsch announced that he has signed UFC vet Victor Valimaki (Pictures) to his organization.
"King of the Cage has exciting things coming up in 2008, and we are very proud and happy to have Victor Valimaki (Pictures) joining the team," Kupsch said.
In the weeks surrounding his August loss to Roger Hollett (Pictures), Valimaki had a falling out with manager Mark Pavelich and left the MFC organization in which he had made his name.
"I am extremely excited to be fighting for King of the Cage and am happy to be a part of it," Valimaki said.
He is without a doubt one of the top three light heavyweights in Canada. KOTC is already hinting of a possible clash with Pride veteran Travis Galbraith (Pictures).
Ultimate Martial Arts Championship
Saskatchewan's UMC will have its ninth event this weekend. Featured on the card at the Stockade building at Swift Current's Kinetic Exhibition Park will be Tim Shears vs. Joe Bossenberry as well as Lindsey Hawkes.
Xtreme Couture Gym to Open in Toronto
After much anticipation, the first Canadian Xtreme Couture training facility will open in Toronto in Spring 2008. The 33,000 square-foot mixed martial arts and fitness training facility is the first of its kind in the country.
Located at 700 Kipling Avenue (North of the Queensway) in Etobicoke, the top-notch fitness center will house some of the best instructors that have fought in some of the most prominent organizations, including UFC, TKO, IFL and WEC. Disciplines that will be taught at this location include muay Thai, BJJ, wrestling, judo, grappling, boxing and pro training.
"This will be the first of four locations that we plan to open across Canada," said Doug Urch, director and co-owner of the Xtreme Couture gym. "Regardless of whether you're a professional or a beginner, we have a number of classes geared towards men, women and children."
"We have assembled a team with years of experience in both the MMA and the fitness industry," said Len MacDearmid, president and co-owner. "This will launch Xtreme Couture Canada as the leading training center of its kind."
The facility will be modeled after Randy Couture (Pictures)'s gym in Las Vegas. It will have training equipment, a boxing ring and a full-size Octagon.
The Toronto branch of Xtreme Couture Canada boasts the following professional instructors:
Brent Beauparlant (Pictures) - MMA/Wrestling
Chris Horodecki (Pictures) - MMA/Striking
Mark Hominick (Pictures) - MMA/Striking
Jeff Joslin (Pictures) - MMA
Dave Mair - Freestyle Wrestling
Yuri Botnarenko - Greco Roman Wrestling
Marco Antico - Striking
Shawn Geris - Wrestling Coach - Freestyle/Greco Roman
Mish Cirkunov - Judo
Nick Johnson - Greco Roman Wrestling
Frank Marques - BJJ
Patrick Goulah - BJJ