Montreal was treated to a great card Saturday night, as the UFC made its return to the MMA-crazy town with UFC 186. Headlined by a championship bout between Demetrious Johnson and Kyoji Horiguchi, the card was littered with familiar names from top to bottom.
Two of those familiar names were long-time veterans Patrick Cote and Joe Riggs. The two experienced fighters met in the headliner of the preliminary fights, with Cote besting Riggs with a balanced, overwhelming attack.
With that win, Cote is back up the ladder and looking to make a run toward the top end of the division. Here are three fights that Cote can take next.
Yoshihiro Akiyama
When it comes to exciting fights and legendary chins, Cote and Yoshihiro Akiyama are two guys that fit both of those descriptions. That’s why a fight between the two would be awesome.
Akiyama and Cote are veterans of the sport, yet they have not crossed paths. Both are former middleweights that ventured down to welterweight to some success thus far.
It’s a main-card scrap on any card you assemble. It also has Fight of the Night written all over it, meaning it’s a fight the UFC seriously needs to consider.
Kenny Robertson
One of the most underrated welterweights on the UFC’s roster, Kenny Robertson has slowly ascended up the rankings. He’s around the same spot in the division as Cote, making this matchup pretty logical.
Both Cote and Robertson are very well-rounded, though Cote is definitely a striker first and Robertson is a wrestler first. It would be a strategic chess match with high-stake achievements on the table.
With their styles, they have the ability to bring the best out in one another. That’s why this is a matchup that could be a must-make bout.
Ben Saunders
Ben Saunders and Cote have something in common, which is a big reason for a potential showdown. They are both exciting, hard-nosed fighters that leave everything in the cage.
Saunders is a big welterweight with the type of striking style that matches up well with Cote. Both are strong in the clinch, and both can throw from the outside as well.
A striking match between the two, given they stood up for most of the bout, would be awesome for the fans. Otherwise, it could be an interesting grappling match as well, which is why this fight should and could be next.
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