Watch above: Canadian Patrick Cote and Josh Burkman will square off against each other on Sunday at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon Sunday. Jack Haskins reports.
SASKATOON – The UFC’s debut event in Saskatchewan is just around the corner. The promotion is massive worldwide but Sunday will mark the first time the UFC has ever held an event in the province.
Twelve bouts are scheduled for Sunday night’s card. Six of the fighters that will be a part of a main event held an open workout to tide over local fans until the real deal on Sunday.
One of the bouts on the main card is interesting in several ways. Canadian Patrick Cote and American Josh Burkman will square off against each other on Sunday at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon.
READ MORE: Headliner preview for the first UFC event in Saskatoon
They’re at completely different stages in their careers but this upcoming match means the world to both fighters.
Cote has been through 20 wars inside the UFC octagon but the 35-year-old has no intention of slowing down.
“The fans are awesome, I feel that I have support every time I fight in Canada. I have a great fan base here. It’s always fun, I’m still enjoying it,” said Cote.
Cote has won four of his last five fights leading up to Sunday’s bout. The Rimouski, Que. native is eager to crack the top 15 in the welterweight division.
In order to do so, Cote believes he needs to defeat Burkman in convincing fashion.
Meanwhile, Burkman’s career has been on a downswing over the past several years. The father of two has lost his last four fights inside the octagon.
Having a family to take care of has made Burkman’s Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) career more challenging, but at the same time, his family gives him extra motivation to succeed inside the cage.
“Where I’m at in my life outside the cage, having healthy boys and a happy wife and a new home, I wouldn’t change a single thing. I think all that adversity has led to me to be right here in this moment ready for this fight,” said Burkham.
Burkman is a UFC veteran and the 35-year-old knows the stakes. A loss this weekend could spell the end of his career.
“This one is probably the biggest fight of my career because my job may be on the line. But I like that pressure, pressure makes diamonds and I’m up for this challenge,” said Burkham.
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