Montreal — As the UFC returns to Canada for the first time in 2025, hosting UFC 315 on Saturday at the Bell Centre in Montreal, rest assured that it is not a normal time for most Canadians.
For months, the United States’ northern neighbour has endured hostile rhetoric from America’s president. In office for less than half a year, Donald Trump has upended the world order, wreaked havoc on his own economy and that of numerous trading partners, and aired a desire to annex Canada as the “51st state” — something only the dimmest of individuals would see as any more than a thinly veiled desire to strip the country of its natural resources.
While Trump has toned down his rhetoric since the recent Canadian election, his oftentimes meandering rambles about acquiring Canada and frustrations with the “artificial border” between the countries were met with disdain and outright anger, resulting in “never 51” and “elbows up” movements from Canadians. In short, outside of a few malcontents upset with Mark Carney’s recent election, Trump managed to do something Canada itself had struggled with for decades: he at least temporarily unified the nation.
Which brings us to the latest visit north by the UFC, to a venue and city that once dominated the MMA landscape. UFC President and CEO Dana White told the Canadian Press this week that political tensions between the countries would have no bearing on the promotion’s decision to run shows here.
“I don’t even think about that at all,” said White. “That doesn’t have an impact on what we do.”
“When you’re a global business, there’s always going to be things every four years, or even every two years, that affect your business,” added White, who in fairness has also had to navigate COVID, and any number of regime changes at home and abroad, given the UFC’s global nature. “None of that stuff bothers me. We just do our thing.”
Still, Canadians themselves were quick to voice their displeasure at Charles Radtke during Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins. “Chuck Buffalo” has adopted the heel role and parroted the “51st state” rhetoric ahead of a fight with Canadian poster-boy Mike Malott. He snubbed a handshake with Malott on Friday as well. Canadian fans were, to borrow a phrase from the country’s most legendary fighter, not impressed.
At this week’s UFC 315 media day, Cageside Press asked a trio of Canadian fighters just what it meant for them to represent their home country in unprecedented times.
For Montreal’s Aiemann Zahabi, who will have Canadian legend Georges St-Pierre in his corner this weekend, he’s representing the UFC 315 host city, the province of Quebec, and Canada. “It’s going to be huge for me. I’m a proud Montrealer, I’m proud to represent Quebec and Canada,” he stated. On Thursday, he attended the event’s pre-fight press conference sporting a suit with a Canadian flag sewn into its lining. “It’s a great country, some awkward things happening on the world stage, but it’s nice to do my part, and I would love to represent them properly Saturday with a great performance.”
The returning Kyle Prepolec spoke of the toughness and grit of Canadians. “I want to go in there and show them we Canadians are pretty badass,” the Windsor native, fighting in the UFC for the first time since 2019 in a short-notice bout with Benoit Saint-Denis, told us. “We’re tough, we have the grit, we’re great athletes, and I think we’re all great people. I want to show the world that I’m like a Canadian Rocky.”
Along with Malott, Jasmine Jasudavicius was one of the figures who helped bring the UFC back to Canada in 2023, following several years off due to COVID. Fighting a former champion in Jessica Andrade on Saturday, Jasudavicius said that representing Canada at this given moment “means a lot. I feel like Canada is really looking for someone to, I guess inspire them. Give them courage.”
“What martial arts teaches, is strength and courage and facing your fears. That type of behavior,” she added. “I really feel blessed to be the body doing it. Hopefully everything goes well and I can continue on with this train, and make Canada proud.”
UFC 315 takes place at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec on Saturday, May 10.
