MATT E

Patrick Cote (12-4 MMA, 3-4 UFC), a popular Canadian fighter with a four-fight win streak, will return at a UFC 83 event on April 19, UFC President Dana White today confirmed.

Additionally, MMAjunkie.com (UFC News & Rumors - MMA News - UFC Fighters - UFC Event Recaps and Previews - MMAjunkie.com) has uncovered two possible opponents for the fighter.

White confirmed that Cote will be part of the card during today’s press conference at Montreal’s Bell Centre — the same venue that hosts UFC 83. The press conference was also attended by UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra and interim champ (and French-Canadian) Georges St. Pierre, who meet in the main event of UFC 83.

Cote has drastically improved his stock in the UFC’s middleweight division with back-to-back victories over “The Ultimate Fighter 3” winner Kendall Grove (UFC 74) and hard-hitting Miletich fighter Drew McFedries (UFC 80). Cote has now won his past four fights (three were in the UFC), and six of his past seven.

After starting his UFC career 0-4, Cote is now a perfect 3-0.

White didn’t reveal Cote’s opponent for the event, but MMAjunkie.com has learned from sources close to the fighters that Alan Belcher (12-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) and Johnny Rees (8-0 MMA 0-0 UFC) are the most likely options.

Belcher was supposed to fight Ricardo Almeida at this past weekend’s UFC 81 event but had to pull out of the fight with bronchitis. If Belcher doesn’t take the fight, it’ll likely go to UFC newcomer Rees, who’s posted an undefeated record — with six of his eight wins coming via submission — in the Indianapolis-based Legends of Fighting organization.

UFC 83 will be the first-ever event in Canada for the Las Vegas-based UFC. The organization announced its intentions of holding two previous events in the country, but plans for the shows were eventually scrapped due to scheduling conflicts.


Belcher would be a perfect fight for them to set up. It has the makings to be an all out war and fight of the year candidate. Although i think Belcher should face Almeida, seeing that he came out of his fight injury free and they both prepared for eachother for like last 2-3 months. But as Cote goes up the ladder a fighter like Belcher would be a perfect test for him, especially because Belcher's kick boxing is possibly better then Cote's. It would be a very interesting fight.

MATT E

Belcher has confirmed that he will be facking Cote, this is a very well put together fight.

Diggler

I heard this as well...it will be a good fight...

__________________
Dana sucks...

recently.reaped

quick update, Cote hurt his knee falling on some ice (How Canadian) and is off the card

TheIceman44

yea Cote is out and he is going to be replaced by another canadian jason day who i have never heard of

daywealldie

i really dont care for cote much. i think the ufc should feed him to jorge rivera or marvin eastman when he gets better

recently.reaped

Cote's last few fights have been really good actually, he's much better than he used to be IMO.

MATT E

Well considering hes knocked out his last 2 opponents in the first round, and has now won three straight fights in the ufc, I think he deserves a bigger step up in competition. With the MW division being so weak he definently needs to take a step up in competition.

By the way hes fighting Jason Day in Canada at ufc 84.

way26

Man thats a bummer. Cote vs Belcher would have been outstanding.

I've always liked Cote, but my "like" went though the roof when he KO'd Kendall Grove

__________________