TUF Nations winner Chad Laprise is moving up to the welterweight division when he faces off against Li Jingliang at UFC 206 in Toronto Dec. 10, UFC officials confirmed with Sportsnet Friday.
The 30-year-old Canadian moved back to London, Ont., earlier this year, after some time in Montreal, and is thrilled to be fighting close to home.
“It’s awesome. I was bugging [UFC matchmaker] Joe Silva about getting on this card,” Laprise told Sportsnet. “I’m fighting two hours away from home. So to be able to fight [in Toronto] is going to be amazing.”
Laprise (11-2) had his back against the wall heading into his lightweight matchup with Thibault Gouti this past August at a UFC Fight Night event in Vancouver. For the first time in his UFC career Laprise missed weight and was heading into the contest coming off back-to-back losses. While many fighters would be down and out in these circumstances, “The Disciple” turned in his best Octagon performance to date. Laprise stopped Gouti with punches in the first round and credits his mental toughness for the win.
“There was definitely pressure [prior to the fight] but come fight night I don’t think about that stuff,” Laprise explained. “I was just in there to do my job and I ended up coming out with my best finish yet in the UFC. Everybody was super happy. I was telling people that there was so much I haven’t shown yet in the UFC. So to go out there and get a first-round knockout like that, it’s very rewarding. I’m looking for the same thing come Toronto.”
Jingliang (11-4) is 3-2 in the UFC and heads into this contest riding the momentum of a July knockout win over Anton Zafir during International Fight Week in Las Vegas. The China Top Team product wasn’t someone on Laprise’s radar but he’s not underestimating the toughness of his opponent.
“He’s a tough gritty, durable guy. He’s one of those guys who wants to turn this into a dogfight,” Laprise said. “I think he’s going to be similar to when I fought Bryan Barberena [at UFC 186]. I’m going to show him I’m a way more technical fighter. I’m not going to play into his strengths of engaging.”
Laprise has fought approximately half his career at welterweight, but this will be his first time competing at 170 pounds in the UFC. Despite giving up size and strength in this fight, the Adrenaline MMA Training & Fitness Center product is confident his speed will be the difference in this fight.
“I’m sure Li will definitely be a bit bigger than me, probably a bit stronger,” Laprise said. “But I was faster than every lightweight that was on the roster in the UFC. Speed is going to be a huge factor in this fight and I plan to run circles around him. People have no idea how much weight I cut to make 155. I walk around 200 pounds, making that cut down to 155 pounds was definitely tough. I had six or seven knockouts at welterweight and I had zero knockouts at 155 pounds. I just think my body is going to feel a lot better fighting at 170 pounds.”
Laprise plans to split time between Adrenaline and Tristar Gym in Montreal for this camp. It’s this combo in preparation for the matchup he believes will be the key to earning him his second straight stoppage victory.
“I have great coaching [in Ontario],” Laprise added. “I’m still going to do lots of training at Tristar Gym in Montreal. We have awesome bodies up there to work with. But being home I’m definitely more comfortable and it puts me in a great mindset to go in there and win these fights…I’m definitely not going to look for one big shot but 100 per cent I’m expecting to finish him.”
UFC 206 takes place at Air Canada Centre. The event is scheduled to be headlined by light-heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier looking to defend his title against knockout artist Anthony Johnson.
