Oh Canada! Canada is a peaceful country famous for nice and friendly people, maple syrup, ice hockey, figure skating, and Tim Horton’s Donuts. But Canadian UFC fighters have helped shape MMA.
This article will look at the ten best Canadian fighters ever to enter the UFC octagon and their accomplishments.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Georges St-Pierre
Widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, St-Pierre – or GSP as he is widely known – held the UFC welterweight title for nearly six years and defended it nine times. He also returned from retirement to win the middleweight belt in convincing fashion against Michael Bisping.
He had a well-rounded skillset and was known for his dominant wrestling and striking.
Georges St-Pierre was born on May 19, 1981, in Saint-Isidore, Quebec, Canada. He grew up in a French-speaking household and was the second of three children. St-Pierre’s father was a carpenter, and his mother worked at a local convenience store.
St-Pierre was often bullied as a child and had trouble fitting in with his peers. He discovered martial arts as a way to defend himself and gain confidence. He started with karate at the age of seven. He won his first karate tournament at seven before winning numerous titles in various martial arts disciplines, including Judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Georges St-Pierre began his professional MMA career in 2002, fighting for various promotions before signing with the UFC in 2004. He quickly rose through the ranks and won his first UFC welterweight title in 2006, defeating Matt Hughes by TKO.
St-Pierre defended his title several times, including wins over fighters like Josh Koscheck, Jon Fitch, and Thiago Alves. However, he suffered a shocking upset loss to Matt Serra in 2007, which motivated him to come back stronger and improve his skills.
After reclaiming his title from Serra in a rematch, St-Pierre defended it several more times, cementing his status as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. He had notable victories over fighters such as BJ Penn, Nick Diaz, and Carlos Condit.
In 2013, St-Pierre announced that he would take an indefinite hiatus from the sport, vacating his welterweight title. However, he made a comeback in 2017, increasing weight to challenge British UFC Fighter Michael Bisping for the middleweight title.
In a highly anticipated fight, St-Pierre defeated Bisping by submission to become a two-division champion. He retired again in 2019 with a record of 26 wins and two losses, and the full respect of fighters and fight fans alike.
Overall, St-Pierre’s legacy in MMA is characterized by his incredible skill and dominance as a fighter and his impact on the sport as a whole. He continues to be considered one of the best Canadian fighters and among the best MMA fighters in history.
Rory MacDonald
Next up on our list of best Canadian UFC fighters is Rory MacDonald, lovingly known as the “Red King” by his fans. Known for his technical striking and grappling abilities, he held notable victories over fighters such as Tyron Woodley and Demian Maia and was one of the UFC’s most exciting fighters during his time with the promotion.
Rory MacDonald was born on July 22, 1989, in Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada. Like Georges St-Pierre, Rory MacDonald grew up in a family that practiced karate and began training in martial arts at a young age. By the time he was a teenager, he was already competing in amateur MMA fights.
MacDonald made his professional MMA debut in 2005 and quickly gained attention for his impressive skill set. He signed with the UFC in 2010 and debuted with the promotion later that year, defeating Mike Guymon by submission.
Throughout his UFC career, MacDonald became known for his technical striking, grappling, and excellent conditioning. He had notable wins over fighters such as Nate Diaz, Tyron Woodley, and Demian Maia.
While Rory MacDonald is known for his severe and focused demeanor in the octagon, there was one humorous moment in his fight against Demian Maia at UFC 170 in 2014.
During the fight, Maia attempted a takedown and fell over MacDonald’s legs, causing both fighters to tumble to the mat. In a moment of comedic relief, MacDonald quickly got up and decided to do a little dance while waiting for Maia to stand back up. The crowd laughed and cheered, and the moment became memorable and lighthearted in MacDonald’s career.
MacDonald’s most memorable fights in the UFC include his first bout against Robbie Lawler in 2013, which was widely regarded as a precursor to one of the greatest fights in MMA history. MacDonald lost the fight by split decision but earned praise for his toughness and heart.
In 2015, MacDonald earned a title shot against UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler. In a highly competitive fight, MacDonald was ultimately defeated by Lawler in the fifth round in another barn buster of a fight that left fight fans stunned with its ferocity. The fight left a serious and lasting impact on his career, and many believe he was never the same after that fight.
MacDonald left the UFC in 2016 to sign with Bellator MMA, where he continued to succeed and became the Bellator welterweight champion in 2018.
Overall, MacDonald’s career highlights in the UFC include his impressive skill set, memorable fights, and status as one of the top welterweight contenders in the promotion during his tenure.
Brock Lesnar
We are including American-born Brock Lesnar in our list because he is a Canadian citizen who has represented Canada in UFC competition. And just look at the picture above.
Brock Lesnar lives in Saskatchewan. And you don’t do that unless you’re a Canadian and really, really love the country.
Brock Lesnar is a former UFC heavyweight champion and a current WWE superstar. He started his MMA career in 2007 and won the title in 2008 by defeating Randy Couture. He defended his belt twice against Frank Mir and Shane Carwin, but lost it to Cain Velasquez in 2010.
Lesnar retired from MMA in 2011 after losing to Alistair Overeem, but made a one-time comeback in 2016 to fight Mark Hunt at UFC 200. His win was later overturned due to a failed drug test.
Lesnar moved to Saskatchewan, Canada in 2010. He owns a farm there and identifies himself as a proud Canadian citizen.
He represented Canada on his fight gear at UFC 200 and has been vocal about his preference for the Canadian health care system over the American one.
TJ Grant
Another Canadian UFC fighter is TJ Grant. Grant was a top lightweight contender before injuries forced him to retire. He was known for his powerful striking, and impressive submission skills.
Born in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada, on February 26, 1984, he started training in karate from a young age and continued practicing even while pursuing a career in construction after finishing high school.
Grant later decided to focus on MMA and made his professional debut in 2006, competing in regional promotions and earning notable victories against notable opponents such as Chad Reiner and Kevin Manderson. Grant signed with the UFC in 2009 and won his debut fight against Ryo Chonan by unanimous decision.
Throughout his UFC career, Grant became recognized for his potent striking and impressive submission skills, winning significant fights against fighters such as Matt Wiman, Evan Dunham, and Gray Maynard. He was regarded as a top lightweight contender before being forced to retire from the sport in 2015 due to injuries.
Today he spends his time with his family and training others in martial arts at his studio in his hometown.
Patrick Côté
Patrick Côté is another one of the best Canadian UFC fighters to compete in mixed martial arts. He fought in the UFC from 2004 to 2016. He was known for his toughness, knockout power, and versatility in the octagon, fighting in both the middleweight and welterweight divisions.
Côté’s UFC debut was against Tito Ortiz in 2004, which he lost. However, he quickly bounced back with wins against fighters such as Joe Doerksen and Jason Day. He was also a coach on The Ultimate Fighter: Canada vs. Australia in 2014.
Côté’s UFC career was characterized by his exciting fights and willingness to take on tough opponents. He had notable victories over fighters such as Ricardo Almeida and Drew McFedries, and even though he never won a UFC title, he was always considered a top contender in his weight class.
Now, for a little humor:
- “They say Patrick Côté is tough as nails. I’m not sure about that, but I do know he’s been hit in the head more times than a nail with a hammer!”
- “Patrick Côté’s knockout power is so impressive; his fists are registered as lethal weapons in 50 states and 20 countries.”
- “They say Patrick Côté is versatile in the octagon, but I think he’s just indecisive. One minute he’s a middleweight; the next, he’s a welterweight. Make up your mind, Patrick!”
In all seriousness, Patrick Côté was a respected fighter in the UFC and will be remembered for his exciting fights and contributions to the sport of MMA.
Mark Hominick
Mark Hominick is a retired Canadian mixed martial artist who competed in the featherweight division of the UFC.
Born on July 22, 1982, in Thamesford, Ontario, Canada, Hominick began training in martial arts at a young age, including training by fellow-Canadian Sam Stout, and made his professional MMA debut in 2002.
He fought for various regional promotions before joining the UFC in 2006. Hominick was known for his striking skills and had notable victories over fighters such as Yves Jabouin and George Roop.
He also challenged Jose Aldo for the UFC featherweight title in 2011 but lost the fight, suffering serious cosmetic injuries that made his head look like a giant balloon.
Hominick retired in 2013 and now works as a coach and commentator and a vocal advocate for anti-bullying.
Sarah Kaufman
Sarah Kaufman is a Canadian mixed martial artist who is known for her impressive career in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She was born on September 20, 1985, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. From a young age, Kaufman was interested in martial arts and started training in different disciplines.
She made her professional MMA debut in 2006 and fought in various regional promotions before joining the Strikeforce organization in 2009. In Strikeforce, Kaufman quickly established herself as a top contender and won the women’s bantamweight title in 2010 by defeating Roxanne Modafferi. Kaufman successfully defended her title against several opponents before losing it to Marloes Coenen in 2011.
In 2013, the UFC absorbed Strikeforce’s female fighters, and Kaufman signed with the organization. In her UFC debut, Kaufman faced Jessica Eye in a closely contested fight that ended in a controversial split decision loss. Despite the setback, Kaufman bounced back with wins over Leslie Smith and Valentina Shevchenko.
However, Kaufman’s time in the UFC was not without its challenges. She suffered a loss to Alexis Davis in 2014, and after that fight, the UFC released her from the organization. Despite this setback, Kaufman continued to fight for various organizations, including Invicta FC and the Professional Fighters League. She remains a respected and competitive fighter known for her striking skills and aggressive fighting style.
Throughout her career, Kaufman has been an advocate for women’s MMA and has spoken out against sexism in the sport. She has also been involved in various charitable organizations, including the Canadian Cancer Society and the Victoria Women’s Transition House Society.
In summary, Sarah Kaufman is a talented and accomplished mixed martial artist who has had a successful career in the bantamweight division of the UFC. She is known for her impressive striking skills and aggressive fighting style and has been a vocal advocate for women’s MMA. Despite some setbacks in her career, Kaufman had many achievements before announcing her retirement from MMA in 2022.
Elias Theodorou
Nicknamed the “Spartan” due to his Greek heritage and no-hold-bars fighting style, Theodorou was a middleweight contender who possessed unorthodox striking and impressive grappling abilities.
Born on April 23, 1988, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Theodorou was a multi-sport athlete in his youth, competing in hockey, soccer, and volleyball, before discovering his passion for martial arts.
Theodorou made his professional MMA debut in 2014 and quickly gained a reputation as a skilled and unorthodox fighter. He earned a spot on The Ultimate Fighter: Nations reality show in 2014 and went on to win the tournament, earning a UFC contract.
Throughout his UFC career, Theodorou became known for his unconventional fighting style and his willingness to experiment with different techniques. He had notable victories over fighters such as Sam Alvey, Trevor Smith, and Cezar Ferreira and was known for his impressive takedown defense and cardio.
In addition to his fighting career, Theodorou was known for his work outside the octagon. He advocated for medical marijuana use in sports and was a spokesperson for a cannabis oil company. Theodorou also actively supported various charitable organizations, including the Testicular Cancer Society.
After some notable successes in the UFC, Theodorou was released from the organization in 2019.
However, he continued to compete in MMA and has also pursued a career in modeling and acting. Overall, Theodorou’s career in MMA was marked by his unconventional fighting style, his advocacy for medical marijuana use, and his charitable work.
Sadly, Theodorou died of cancer at age 34 in 2022.
Sam Stout
Sam Stout is a retired Canadian mixed martial artist who competed in the lightweight division of the UFC.
He was born on April 23, 1984, in London, Ontario, Canada. Stout began his martial arts training as a teenager and made his professional MMA debut in 2003. Stout fought for various regional promotions before joining the UFC in 2006. He quickly established himself as a skilled and exciting fighter known for his striking skills and iron chin.
Stout had notable victories over fighters such as Spencer Fisher, Joe Lauzon, and Yves Edwards, and his fights were often action-packed and entertaining.
Despite his success in the UFC, Stout’s career was not without its challenges. He suffered several losses to tough opponents, including Jeremy Stephens, Thiago Tavares, and Ross Pearson. However, Stout remained a respected and popular fighter throughout his career, known for his toughness and his exciting fighting style.
After a long and successful career in MMA, Stout retired from the sport in 2015. He now works as a coach and remains a respected figure in the MMA community. Overall, Stout’s career in the UFC was marked by his exciting fighting style.
David Loiseau
David Loiseau is a retired Canadian mixed martial artist who competed in the middleweight division of the UFC. He was born on December 17, 1979, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada.
Loiseau began his martial arts training in karate at the age of six and later added kickboxing and Muay Thai to his regimen.
Loiseau made his professional MMA debut in 1999 and fought for various promotions before joining the UFC in 2003. He quickly established himself as a skilled and exciting fighter known for his striking skills and his devastating spinning back kick and effective elbows.
Loiseau had notable victories over fighters such as Charles McCarthy, Evan Tanner, and Jorge Rivera and challenged Rich Franklin for the UFC middleweight title in 2006.
He also suffered several losses to tough opponents, including Mike Swick, Jason Day, and Ed Herman.
After a successful career in MMA, Loiseau retired from the sport in 2017.
Carlos Newton
Carlos Newton is a retired Canadian mixed martial artist who competed in the welterweight division of the UFC.
He had notable achievements during his UFC career, including winning the UFC welterweight championship in 2001 with a victory over Pat Miletich.
Newton was known for his impressive grappling skills and, in his MMA career, had several submission victories over top fighters like Pat Miletich, Pete Spratt, and Renzo Gracie.
However, he also suffered losses from tough opponents like Dan Henderson, Matt Hughes, and Anderson Silva.
The UFC highlights from Newton’s career include the following:
- UFC debut fight at UFC 17 in May 1998, where he defeated Bob Gilstrap via submission in the first round, and then lost a split decision to the legend Dan Henderson the same night.
- After some time fighting in Pride and other organizations, Newton’s biggest UFC moment came in his return at UFC 31 in May 2001, where he defeated Pat Miletich to win the UFC welterweight championship.
- Newton defended his UFC welterweight title for the first time at UFC 34 in November 2001, but he lost the belt to Matt Hughes via KO slam in the second round, in a freak incident where he seemed to put Hughes to sleep but then was knocked out via the floor.
- Newton’s next UFC fight was at UFC 38 in July 2002, where Matt Hughes again defeated him, this time via TKO by punches.
- Newton rebounded in his next UFC fight at UFC 40 in November 2002, defeating Pete Spratt via Kimura submission in the first round.
- Newton’s final UFC fight was at UFC 46 in January 2004, where he lost to Renato Verissimo via unanimous decision.
Carlos Newton had a successful UFC career with notable achievements, including winning the welterweight championship and several impressive submission victories. He retired from fighting in 2010.
Canadian UFC Fighters in Conclusion
Canada is famous for being polite and having a cold climate. It also has a small population in spite of its huge landmass. But regardless, it has produced some outstanding fighters in the UFC.
Canadian UFC fighters have made the top organization and MMA a popular sport in the great white north. Certainly, we can expect to see new generations of talent continue to emerge for many years to come.
