Canadian middleweight contender Keanan Patershuk is set to return to action on March 7th at Samourai MMA 13 in Quebec, Canada, where he will face UFC veteran Yohan Lainesse. This marks only the second time Patershuk has fought on Canadian soil, making the opportunity to compete in his home country even more special. Coming off a tough loss in June 2024 in the CFFC Middleweight title fight against Kyle Daukaus, Patershuk is eager to get back in the win column and prove himself on a big stage.
For Patershuk, the layoff between fights has been frustrating, but he has used the time to sharpen his skills and reflect on his last performance. Speaking about the title fight loss to Daukaus, Patershuk acknowledged his mistakes. “It was a great opportunity to showcase my skills…I just got too excited to land that big right hand,” he admitted. “I didn’t use all my tools, and I got caught.” Now, with the lessons learned from that experience, he is looking forward to testing himself against another high-caliber opponent in Lainesse.
While Patershuk is thrilled to be fighting in Canada, he remains in the familiar position of being a road warrior. The British Columbia native will have to travel across the country to face Lainesse in his home province of Quebec, but that does not faze him in the slightest. “I revel in the challenge. I love going into [my opponents’] barn and putting on a gritty show. Being a road warrior? I absolutely love it. Hostile crowds don’t bother me,” he declared, emphasizing that the energy from opposing fans only fuels him further.
When analyzing his matchup with Lainesse, Patershuk expressed confidence in his ability to impose his will. “Yohan is well-rounded… he used to fight at 170, so I’m not taking anything away from his power. I know he’s got good hands,” he said. However, Patershuk was quick to point out that his size and strength would be a factor. “But he’s jumping up a weight class, and I’m not a small middleweight.” He believes his power, grappling, and speed will all play a role in giving him the edge when they step into the cage.
Adding extra intrigue to the fight is Lainesse’s public confidence in his ability to finish Patershuk early. When I mentioned that Lainesse had commented on Samourai MMA’s social media page, predicting a first-round knockout, Patershuk simply nodded and smiled. “He’s a UFC veteran, and he’s competed with the best in the world. I expect him to have confidence,” he said. “[His prediction] doesn’t bother me one way or another, but if he thinks I’m gonna be an easy knockout for him, he’s in for a long ass night.”
As for what fans can expect on fight night, Patershuk made his intentions crystal clear. “It’s gonna be real violent. I hope [Yohan] isn’t sleeping on me or taking me lightly… If he expects anything less than a bloody war, he’s in trouble. I’m there to fight. I’m not there to play patty cake. I’m not there to hold on to him or get him by decision. I’m there to finish him.”
With both fighters eager to make a statement, Samourai MMA 13 is shaping up to be a must-watch event for Canadian fight fans. Patershuk is ready to embrace the challenge, and if his words hold true, March 7th promises to be an all-out war.
