TORONTO | It's a tough morning for the Quebec fighters, all of whom lost at UFC 297 in Toronto on Saturday night.
• Also read: Barriault cannot save the honor
• Also read: UFC 297: Jourdain loses by split decision
• Also read: Du Plessis defeats Strickland
Marc-André Barriault and Charles Jourdain both lost by split decision, while Yohan Lainesse suffered the affront of submission.
The three Quebecers had an edge over the crowd, but for one reason or another they couldn't win.
These three defeats raise questions about the state of mixed martial arts in Quebec, especially after the resignation of Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Quebec's top ambassador for the past two years.
Yohan Lainesse was caught off guard by a rear choke. Getty Images via AFP
renovation
We shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater, but the fact is that there doesn't appear to be much offspring in the near future.
Barriault certainly hasn't said his last word yet, but he'll have to put in a more jaw-dropping performance than he did against Chris Curtis on Saturday. The two men engaged in the dullest fight of the night, which drew boos in the first round.
Lainesse had started his duel well, but was surprised by an effective takedown from his opponent, the Briton Sam Patterson.
As for Jourdain, he tried as best he could to find solutions against an opponent, Sean Woodson, who was five inches taller than him. He tried several things, he attacked, but he couldn't box as much as he probably would have liked because the American's size and reach allowed him to stay at a distance. Maybe even too much because he wasn't very adventurous.
Consideration
Disappointed and frustrated, Jourdain hinted that he might be finished in the UFC. Maybe it was emotions, but during a heated phone conversation he seemed sincere with his questions.
Jourdain is only 28 years old and still has some very good years ahead of him. He is a fan-favorite fighter who usually puts on a good show.
If he were to leave the octagon, it would be a huge blow to mixed martial arts in Quebec, as it would be one less model for the coming generation, which doesn't have many anyway.
The core of Jourdain's frustration is the sacrifices he made to himself to prepare for a fight whose decision did not benefit him and which he questioned. But there's also the financial aspect, as he claims to have lost $100,000 by losing that split decision, which could have gone to his advantage.
Oh Canada
Hopes were high in the packed ScotiaBank Arena as nine Canadians were involved in the evening's 12 bouts.
The party ultimately didn't end as only Jasmine Jasudavicius and Gillian Robertson emerged victorious from the octagon.
There was great hope for Mike Malott, an Ontarian who grew up in a Toronto suburb. However, he lost by knockout. 15 seconds after the end of his fight against Neil Magny he lost his technique and had his eyes in the grease of the rushes as he left the octagon. He will need a few weeks of rest to recover.
There was talk earlier this week about the legacy of Georges St-Pierre with such a Canadian presence at this gala, but the truth is that no one has been able to replace GSP since his retirement, him just over six years ago.
And given what we saw this weekend, it will be a while before a fighter is able to step into those big shoes.
Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland pushed themselves to the limit in the championship fight. Getty Images via AFP
A war
Let's start with a digression about the main event of the evening, which pitted American Sean Strickland against South African Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight (185 pound) title.
Over the course of the week, the two men insulted each other, with Strickland being particularly vicious and creative. But everyone was there for their own case and not just Du Plessis.
In the Octagon we saw a very civilized war that allowed Du Plessis to steal the belt from Strickland.
And most importantly, we saw respect. The American also gave his opponent a very sincere hug at the end of the five rounds, knowing full well that he had lost. At least that's it.