Cote, Cote, Cote, Cote . . .Cote . . .Cote!

Poor Patrick Cote!

Unlike the majority of fighters and fight fans, he can only celebrate his birthday once every four years.

Being born on February 29, 1980 in Rimouski, Quebec, Canada, Patrick was indeed at a disadvantage when it came to celebrating his birthday, but not that disadvantaged in other respects. 

As an only child he didn't have to share his presents growing up or compete with siblings for his parents’ full attention.

He joined the Canadian Army and took up boxing while enlisted.

Later he added wrestling, kick boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (not necessarily in that order) and became a sparing partner and close friend of fellow Canadian, Georges St. Pierre.

He appeared on the UFC TUF 4 series "The Comeback" on which Georges acted as a co-host with legendary Randy Couture.

It must have been fun for Georges and Patrick to talk in French much to the confusion of the other fighters, and possibly for Patrick's benefit when he fought and received cues in French from his countryman/coach St. Pierre.

Georges will be taking up for Patrick once again when he hosts a showing of the UFC 86 this Saturday at the Bell Center in a dining hall in Georges' hometown of Montreal.

Patrick will be fighting Ricardo Almeida who had taken a four year sabbatical from fighting in the UFC and had been teaching and helping friend Renzo Gracie with his IFL team.

Almeida is said to be superior on the ground due to having more experience in Brazilian jiu-jitsu than Patrick, but until the fight, that remains to be seen.

Ever since Patrick took Guy Mezger's place in "The War of 04" UFC 50 and fought so valiantly against Tito Ortiz, and did it while smiling the whole time because he was just so thrilled to be in the main event on the card, I have loved Patrick not just for his fighting skills but for sheer guts, and his boyish exuberance.

With his heavy hands and legendary right hand punches Patrick has disposed most recently of Kendall Grove and Drew McFedries. So whether his ground game is as good as Ricardo's may be a moot point, if he gets off a good shot.

Since on my "happy days", and especially after watching my dvds of TUF 4, I go around the house singing the "Cote, Cote, Cote" refrain the Serra team sang whenever Patrick won a fight, (although I can not duplicate the little jig Patrick performed in celebration), I would enjoy singing to celebrate a win at UFC 86 as well.  I wouldn't doubt it will be sung at the Bell Center if he wins as well.

From me I say, "Good luck Patrick!  I am looking forward to a win so I can sing and you can dance your "happy jig" once again."