The UFC in Canada: Home Advantage?

For the eighth time, the world’s greatest mixed martial arts organization held an event in Canada. Interestingly, home turf has not brought any statistical advantage as the overall record for Canadian fighters battling on home soil is 26-26-1.

Fans gathered at the Air Canada Center on Saturday night to celebrate Mixed Martial Arts and to support their brethren. There were seven Canadians on the card. The biggest Canadian star was Thamesford, Ontario’s Mark Hominick.

For those who came to see the Canadians shine last night at the ACC, they most likely went home downtrodden despite seeing an overall great show. Canadian fighters won two fights and lost five in what was possibly the most disappointing performance by Canadians in a home show.

UFC 83 (4-4)

The very first Canadian UFC event was held in Montreal at the Bell Center on April 19, 2008.The hometown boys went 4-4, but most importantly, a legend was born.

While Jonathan Goulet, Jason MacDonald (Jason defeated fellow Canadian Joe Doerksen) and Jason Day won, the raison d’etre for the event was to see if French Canadian Georges St-Pierre could redeem himself against Matt Serra for an earlier loss and reclaim his title.

To the delight of the record setting 21.390 people, he did just that and more and the event was the impetus for G.S.P. becoming a Canadian icon. Although Sam Stout and Mark Bocek lost, they performed well and remain with the company to this day.

Khalib Starnes gave the worst performance by anyone of any nationality. His sudden pacifism challenged Oliver McCall’s breakdown verse Lennox Lewis for one of the strangest fights of all time.

UFC 97 (5-2)

UFC 97 was the next UFC visit to Canada. The Canucks went 5 -2. The event was held in Montreal and they broke their earlier attendance record. The winners were: T.J. Grant, Mark Bocek, Dennis Kang, Krzysztof Soszynski (Polish born) and Sam Stout while those who did not win were: David Loiseau and Jason MacDonald. However, none of the matches were of major importance in terms of title contention.

This night is infamously remembered for the god awful bout between Anderson Silva and Thales Leites where fans and the concept of competition were betrayed.

UFC 113 (1-6)

On May 8, 2010, Montreal hosted the third Canadian UFC event and the Canadians went 1-6. Joe Doerksen was the lone winner as he defeated Tom Lawlor in an amazing come from behind win. Jason MacDonald, Tim Hague, TJ Grant, Jonathan Goulet, Patrick Cote and Sam Stout came up short.

A memorable note was Josh Koscheck after his win over Paul Daley promising that he would defeat G.S.P. just as the Pittsburgh Penguins would defeat the Montreal Canadiens. Neither transpired as Montreal won Game 7 in Pittsburgh 5-2 and Georges later battered Koscheck easily over five rounds and left the challenger with a broken orbital bone.

UFC 115 Results (1 -2)

Vancouver became the second city to host a UFC event and British Columbia native Rory MacDonald performed admirably as the then 21-year-old dominated top ranked contender Carlos Condit for most of the match only to have it stopped with seven seconds remaining.

David Loiseau continued to struggle in his return to the big promotion. Claude Patrick was the sole Canadian winner on the card.

UFC 124 Results (4-2-1)

Back in Montreal, it was time for Josh Koscheck to receive his comeuppance and pay for his impertinence.

While TJ Grant and Joe Doerksen lost, Sean Pierson and John Makdessi won their debuts. Pierson made a strong first time showing defeating TUF alumni Matt Riddle in an action-packed match and Makdessi displayed video game kicking prowess that amazed audiences.

They both earned invitations to UFC 129 as  a result.  

Jesse Bongfeldt picked up a rare draw and more importantly retained employment. Mark Bocek had one of his finest moments winning via triangle submission over Dustin Hazelett, and the crowd went home happy as GSP quieted Josh Koscheck the old fashioned way—with multiple punches to the face.

Overall, a great night for Canadian MMA.

UFC 129 Results (6-4)

Ten Canadians graced the card at Rogers Center where they were welcomed by 55,724 people.

The performance of the night went deservingly to Mark Hominick who lost an exciting back and forth title fight against Jose Aldo.

Despite a hematoma the size of a grapefruit, he battled hard and dominated the fifth and final round. He left an indelible imprint of inspiration in the hearts of Canadian and international sports fans.

The letdown of the night was the headliner where, in a manner much to the displeasure of the largest North American crowd ever, GSP cautiously defeated Jake Shields.

To his credit, the champ fought with a damaged retina after he was poked in the eye by an open-handed strike by Shields in the third round.

Winners: J. Makdessi, J.MacDonald, I. Menjivar ( born in El Salvador), C. Patrick, R. MacDonald, GSP

Those who came up short: Y. Jabouin, S. Pierson, M. Bocek, M. Hominick

UFC 131 Results (3-1)

Back in Vancouver, four Canadians battled in bouts of little import to any title picture. Sam Stout was the most impressive Canadian on the card as he knocked out veteran Yves Edwards with a further display of his profound striking ability. Nick Ring and Soszynski were also victorious while Jesse Bongfeldt lost.

UFC 140 (2-5)

Back in Toronto, this time within the confines of the Air Canada Center, the most disappointing showing to date for those who peacefully sued for independence in 1867. Three of the five losses were in the first round and one of which was set in record time. Yves Jabouin (Haitian born) gave a great show and won a fun fight via decision. Mark Bocek earned a pedestrian decision outwrestling a top wrestler in Nik Lentz.

Unsuccessful bids were produced by: John Makdessi, Claude Patrick, Mitch Clarke, Krzysztof Soszynski and Mark Hominick.

Mark Hominick

Hominick’s entrance with “I’m Coming Home” playing in the background was once again epic. Yet, it yielded no benefits inside the octagon. Mere seconds into the Hominick—Chan Sung Jung fight, the wavers of the Korean flag had their wishes come true. The seven-second finish ties Todd Duffee’s official record for fastest knockout against Canadian Tim Hague.

However, Duane “Bang” Ludwig actually stopped Canadian Jonathan Goulet in four seconds. Those other fights happened on American soil.

Last Refuge of a Scoundrel

Reaching this level of success and being at the pinnacle of any endeavor is a laudable accomplishment. Simply competing in mixed martial arts is worthy of tremendous respect. There is honour—and no shame—in competing hard and not earning a victory.

Considering how impressive each fighter is, it is curious to see how some fans choose their loyalties. Fans cheering for a fighter because they were born within the same imaginary parameters is a phenomenon that I am too simple to comprehend.

What vicarious connection is there linking the athlete and the fan outside of a shared citizenship? 

I would submit that one should cheer for a fighter because of their fighting style or their character or for some reason that makes one have an affinity for them.

A fighter’s citizenship is irrelevant and should not be a determining factor in for whom one should support. Regardless of the legitimacy of the source, the fans’ passion is palpable and arenas vociferously reveal a connection. In Canada, it does not appear the support is a factor anyways.