|
Stout-Ouimet Rematch at Saturday's TKO 23 By Kelsey Mowatt MMA up North is well represented this weekend, as two headlining fights highlight this Saturday's TKO 23 from Victoriaville, Quebec. Sam Stout will put his Lightweight Championship belt on the line in a rematch bout against Donald Ouimet, while Ultimate Fight Night 2 veteran Jonathon Goulet hopes to continue on his path back to the Octagon with a win over veteran fighter Shonie Carter. For Goulet, the welterweight "Super Fight" against Carter is of paramount importance, as the 26-year-old Victoriaville resident is hoping to get by Carter unscathed in order to take on undefeated Russian fighter Ansar Chalangov at UFC 56. Goulet brings a record of 14-5 into TKO 23, while Carter's extensive record now sits at 69-13-7. Goulet is being careful not too overlook his next opponent in Carter and realizes that "Mr. International" does indeed present him an extremely tough fight. "Shonie is a very well-rounded fighter and he has lots of experience," Goulet explains, "but I'm ready for everything he can bring to the table -- this is MMA." "My training is going very well," says Goulet, who is looking forward to fighting the crafty Carter in front of his hometown Victoriaville crowd. The last couple of years have seen Goulet garner much attention within the Canadian MMA world, as the Team Legion member has now won nine fights in a row, an impressive winning streak that includes victories over Travis Galbraith, John Alessio, Tony Fryklund and most recently, Jay Hieron. The victory over Hieron, at UFN 2 on October 3rd, marked the pinnacle of Goulet's career, a preliminary fight on the card which saw Goulet earn a TKO victory when a bloodied Jay Hieron was not allowed to continue in the third round due to a doctor's stoppage. Goulet, although happy with the win, felt he could have done more in his UFC debut. "I really enjoyed my experience in the UFC," Goulet tells FCF. "It was a dream for me, but I was very nervous in that first fight. The UFC fans didn't get to see the real Jonathon Goulet, but the next time I step in the Octagon they will realize why I'm in the UFC." First up, however, is Carter, and Goulet has the game plan he hopes will grant him victory and send him on his way to UFC 56. "Being younger, I think my cardio will be much better than his and I will try to take advantage of that in the fight. I will keep my distance and wait until I have a chance to knock him out." Stout-Ouimet 2 TKO 23 will also feature the highly anticipated rematch between Lightweight Champion Sam Stout (7-1-1) and former champion Donald Ouimet (10-4). The two first met at TKO 21 in July, where Stout secured the championship by eking out a split decision over Ouimet in what many observed as an extremely close affair. The first fight remained largely a standing contest, with each fighter looking for victory via their striking skills, a method of fighting both are well accustomed too. Stout expects this next fight to go much the same way, and is planning on utilizing the same tactics he felt swayed the judges' decision in his favor the first time. "In the last fight, Donald stayed on his feet and banged with me for the whole three rounds. He may be planning on trying that strategy again, but I have been working on my takedown defense and jiu-jitsu just in case, " says Stout. "I feel that my youth is going to be a factor, especially in the later rounds of the fight. Another area I plan to dominate in is the leg kicking -- that was one of the main factors in my victory in the last fight. " Fans may be treated to an all out war this Saturday, as Ouimet is indeed planning on exchanging with Stout standing once again, an area of fighting in which he sees himself having a clear advantage. "I'm a much better boxer than he is," Ouimet exclaims, "and this time I'll be more aggressive and knock him out." Stout, who has competed in the K-1 kickboxing organization, acknowledges Ouimet's boxing skills and maintains he will be prepared for the stand-up exchanges. "Donald's best asset is definitely his boxing. He hit me with a couple of hard shots in our last fight," Stout says. "I have been working hard on my boxing defense; I plan to make myself a lot harder to hit this time." Nonetheless, Ouimet is confident that Stout will be returning the championship belt to him this Saturday night, a championship victory that Ouimet wants to secure without the help of any judges' decision. "I'll be just a bit more aggressive to avoid a pathetic decision like last time," Ouimet predicts. "I will knock him out and take my belt back." Stout is a little more reserved in predicting the outcome, however. The Team Tompkins's fighter is enjoying life as TKO Lightweight Champion and has no plans of relinquishing his title. "My prediction for the fight with Donald Ouimet is that it's going to be another war. Life is good when you're the champ; that is why I have no intentions of giving up the title any time soon." TKO "Extreme 23" Line-Up Shonie Carter vs. Jonathon Goulet (WW) Sam Stout vs. Donald Ouimet (Lightweight Championship) Chris Horodecki vs. David Goulet (LW) Krysztof Soszynski vs. Martin Desilets (HW) Max Marin vs. Thierry Quenneville (SLW) Spencer Fisher vs. Fabio Holanda (LW) Aaron Tregear vs. Dany Laflamme (WW) Billy Kid vs. Dave Parizeau (LW) Greg Compton vs. Stephane Vigneault (SLW) |
| © All materials contained in the Full Contact Fighter web site are protected by copyright and to be used only for personal and noncommercial uses. Public display or copying for sale or public distribution of any of these materials is strictly prohibited. |