UFC 148: Why Patrick Cote Will Make a Successful UFC Return Against Cung Le

To say that Patrick Cote's UFC career has been a roller-coaster ride would be an understatement. 

Cote started out with the promotion by dropping four straight contests—a streak interrupted by three non-UFC victories.  

When Cote finally got his first UFC win, he quickly made a habit of it, scoring three encore victories.

On the strength of that streak, Cote earned a title shot opposite Anderson Silva but lost after suffering a freak knee injury in Round 3 of that contest. The loss was followed by two more and a subsequent release from the promotion.

Since his release Cote has won four straight outside the promotion and has earned an invitation to win his way back onto the roster. But to solidify a stall in the UFC's middleweight fighter stable, Cote will have to defeat combat legend Cung Le this Saturday at UFC 148.

Le, who debuted in the UFC with a TKO loss to Wanderlei Silva last November, is looking for his first win with the promotion and will gladly indulge Cote in the striking match the Canadian will most assuredly be seeking.

The bout should contain no shortage of fireworks given the penchant each fighter has to strike. But this is a bad matchup for Le—a terrible one in fact.

While his striking may be on par or above Cote's, Le's game was exposed by Wanderlei Silva. He failed to handle the pressure the Brazilian brought and ultimately wilted under the strain.

Cote's attacks are dissimilar to Silva's, but he is likewise aggressive. He also owns a chin that can withstand 10 times the impact Silva's can.

Ultimately, Le-Cote may end up looking like Le-Silva, only quicker. Expect Cote to break through Le's attacks and fire away long enough for a stoppage win.

Cote's weakness has always been submission defense, but that isn't something he need be overly concerned with on Saturday night.

The fight will take place on the feet, and Cote will return to the UFC winning and in an impressive fashion.