Patrick Cote Wants To Fight Jake Ellenberger At UFC 210

In an interview with MMA Junkie, Patrick Cote said that he’s hoping to finally get a fight with Jake Ellenberger at UFC 210 in Buffalo, New York on April 8. Here are highlights:

On when he might retire: “I love the sport. I’m passionate about the sport. Even after 15 years, I’m still there – 12 years in the UFC, and I’m still enjoying it. I’m fighting because I want it and I enjoy it. Don’t get me wrong – I love the paycheck, too. I don’t want to fight for free. That’s not going to happen. When I wake up one day and I don’t want to go to the gym, I’ll stop. It’s the privilege I have. When I don’t want to go to the gym anymore and I don’t want to sacrifice, it’ll be easy to pull the plug. As long as I can compete at this level, I can’t see why I should stop it.”

On wanting a fight with Ellenberger: “I think everyone knows I want to fight Jake Ellenberger. Two years ago we had a couple discussions on Twitter. But let’s be honest. The guy’s only won two of his last eight fights, and he’s still ranked 12 or 13 (in the UFC rankings). That doesn’t make any sense. I’m trying to call him (out) in a polite way, in a classy way. I don’t understand why I’m not in the top 15. The only guys who beat me in the top 15 was a title contender, Stephen Thompson, a guy I think won the last fight (against Tyron Woodley for the title) and should be a champion, and ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone.”

On when he wants the fight: “I want to fight him in Buffalo at UFC 210. That’s what I want. It’s close to the (Canadian) border. I love that people from Canada will be able to come and watch this show – the first time the UFC’s going back to Buffalo since the first event, and it’s going to be a big event and I want to be a part of it. I’ve wanted to fight this guy for a long time and it’s the perfect timing.”