Think you know who our man MacMally ranks as Canada’s greatest ever MMA fighter? A simple choice, right? Carry on reading, you might be in for a surprise…
Canada, the land of maple syrup, hockey, and incredibly talented mixed martial artists. While some might argue that the Great White North is all about politeness and poutine, we know better. Canadians have a knack for producing some of the toughest fighters in the world. So, grab your toque and a Molson and let’s go over the top 5 Canadian MMA fighters, eh?
5. T.J “The Dentist” Grant
T.J Grant, hailing from Nova Scotia, has become a legend in the world of MMA with his incredible grappling skills. With a professional record of 21 wins and 5 losses, he boasts an impressive 13 victories via submission. And yes, you guessed it – his nickname “The Dentist” came from his day job. When he was not choking opponents, he worked as a dental technician. T.J Grant is a name that will perk up old hardcore fans’ ears and have them ramble on about how he may be one of the biggest “what ifs” in UFC history. The guy was right on the door of a title shot, and just… disappeared. The original Zabit Magomedsharipov.
4. Patrick “The Predator” Cote
Straight out of Quebec, Patrick Cote was a force to be reckoned with as his record of 23 wins and 11 losses suggests. In the UFC, Cote had to prove himself time and time again, earning 10 wins and 10 losses. When you look at the list of fighters he’s been in the cage with, it starts to make sense though. Cote was one of those fighters you always felt was just a couple wins away from hitting gold. You couldn’t look past Patrick, no matter what stage of his career. Heck, he even debuted in the UFC on short notice against Tito Ortiz. Also been in the cage with the likes of Chris Leben, Anderson Silva, Cung Le, Donald Cerrone, Stephen Thompson and many more… Mad respect to this Canadian enforcer.
3. Rory “Red King” MacDonald
Hailing from beautiful British Columbia, Rory MacDonald is a true warrior with a professional record of 21 wins and 6 losses. In the UFC, he showcased his tenacity with a record of 9 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw. Perhaps the most notable moment of his career came at UFC 189 when he faced Robbie Lawler in an epic blood spitting battle, earning them Fight of the Night honours and widely remembered as one of the greatest UFC title fights of all time. MacDonald walked away with a busted nose and a piece of MMA history. I will say I definitely preferred the Serial Killer version of RoryMac over the Ned Flanders version but the Ned Flanders version still managed to go over to Bellator and win the title and successfully defend it while also challenging Mousasi for the middleweight title. Go watch Rory vs Lawler 2, The Red King was a nicknamed earned, and will remain with Rory even in retirement.
2. Georges “Rush” St-Pierre (GSP)
Bet you didn’t think you’d see GSP ranked #2 on a list of the best Canadian MMA fighters. Georges is the embodiment of Canadian MMA excellence. Hailing from Quebec, the legend boasts an astonishing record of 26 wins and 2 losses. In the UFC, he reigned supreme with an astounding record of 20 wins and just 2 losses. And the only two times he lost, well, he got those back dramatically. GSP’s 12-fight win streak in the UFC is the longest in welterweight history, and his wrestling game was so smooth it was like a zamboni on ice. GSP might not only be the best Canadian fighter in history, but arguably the greatest FIGHTER in history. Plus, he is a proud Canadian – check out his reaction to being told the UFC was heading to Montreal.
1. Harold “Scissor Leg” Howard
You might be asking yourself who the hell is Harold Howard and how is he ranked above GSP? Harold Howard only has one win in the UFC but is THE Canadian Legend. You couldn’t be more Canadian if you wore nothing but a toque and a Canadian flag as a toga while injecting maple syrup directly into your veins at a Canucks game. He walked so GSP could run. His professional record may stand at 1 win and 3 losses, but Howard left an unforgettable mark on MMA history. Competing in the early days of the UFC, he once tried to win a fight using a scissor-flip kick, a move that didn’t quite pan out. Nevertheless, his antics inside the octagon made him a fan favourite and a true Canadian MMA icon. As he so famously proclaimed, “if you’re coming on… COME ON.”
Honourable Mentions
Brock Lesnar
Yes, you read that right. While not a Canadian by birth, Brock Lesnar is a current resident of Canada and possesses a dual citizenship. He represented Canada in his fight at UFC 200 and even had the Canadian flag in his tale of the tape and fought out of Regina, Saskatchewan. I don’t think any Canadians will argue with me for letting them have this one.
Mike Mallott
Mike Mallott came into the Contender Series following a first round win in his return to the professional cage after a three year hiatus. Since then, he’s gone 3-0 with 3 finishes in the UFC with 2 performance bonuses. Next he faces the ultimate UFC talent measuring stick, Neil Magny in Toronto January 20th. How high is the ceiling for this friend of Bodog and Canada’s next potential contender?
Do you agree with our man’s top five? Or has he got this one wrong? Let us know over on ‘X’, we’ll be ready with our gum shields.