Patrick Cote vs. Tom Lawlor confirmed for UFC 121
An upcoming match between Patrick “The Predator” Cote and Tom “Filthy” Lawlor was recently confirmed on the undercard for UFC 121 on October 21, which will feature the heavyweight championship between Brock Lesnar and Cain Velasquez.
A Battle To Survive
Both fighters enter this match from a losing streak. Cote, a former middleweight contender, was sidelined for over a year when he blew his knee out in his title fight against Anderson Silva. His bad luck continued when he was caught by a controversial pile driver by Alan “The Talent” Belcher at UFC 113 in his native Montreal. Stunned by the questionably legal slam, he was finished by a rear naked choke by Belcher.
Lawlor has faced difficulties of his own as well. An alumnus of the Ultimate Fighter Season 8, his UFC debut was promising, defeating fellow cast member Kyle Kingsbury on the cards for a unanimous decision. After the fight, he decided to move down from light heavyweight to middleweight due size issues. Here he was able to submit his first opponent, C.B. Dolloway with a triangle choke.
The next two fights would prove to dampen Lawlor’s famously high spirits. He lost a split decision Aaron Simpson at UFC Fight Night 20 to much controversy among fans. He met similar adversity the same night as Cote at UFC 113, where he was caught by a rear naked choke from Joe “El Dirte” Doerkson after a dominating first round.
With the UFC recently releasing fighters with sizable names such as Keith Jardine, Dan Lauzon and four of The Ultimate Fighter 11 contestants, longevity in the organization is as tenuous as ever. A third loss for either fighter could very well become a ticket out of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Going Down Swinging
Cote has made his name in the UFC to date primarily due to his striking skills. Beginning his training in the Canadian Army, he specialized in boxing, kickboxing and wrestling before he even started training full time. His stand up ability has gained him TKO victories against Andrew McFedries and Kendall Grove, and his chin has been tested by the likes of Tito Ortiz in his heyday, a fight Cote took at only four days’ notice. Prior to his devastating knee injury, he was also the first man in the octagon to trade blows for three rounds with current champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva.
“Filthy” Tom brings a different skill set to the table. His background is in wrestling, having had a short career as a pro wrestler following three championships at the National Collegiate Wrestling Association at his alma mater, the University of Central Florida. Although a wrestler by background, Lawlor demonstrated some impressive striking in his Fight of the Night winning brawl with Aaron Simpson and his most recent match against Joe Doerkson.
Both fighters are known for their aggressive striking ability. The matchup is sure to be interesting if the athletes decide to stay on their feet. And with the punching power both have demonstrated in the past, a KO is likely to occur.
Final Thoughts
The Predator has been noted for his iron chin, which has taken shots from some of the biggest hitters in the sport, including Tito Ortiz and Anderson Silva. In addition, Lawlor’s main offensive tool, wrestling, is also something Cote is considered to be very adept at. “Filthy” Tom’s loss to a rear naked choke has also proven his vulnerability to Brazilian –Jiu-Jitsu, which Cote holds a purple belt in.
However, anything can happen in the octagon and if “puncher’s chance” had a match, this would be it.
UFC 121 will premiere on October 21 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California and on Pay Per View.
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