Without fanfare, a Quebec fighter stood out on the international scene this weekend. Her name? Charles Jourdain.
He delivered a solid performance against Kron Gracie at UFC 288 in the featherweight division (145 lbs). A unanimous decision win.
The Gracie family is one of the most respected in the world of mixed martial arts. Kron’s father and uncles founded Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Jourdain’s adversary therefore grew up in this universe.
If Jourdain won this duel, it was because of his discipline and his respect for his coaches’ game plan. He followed it to the letter and he avoided finding himself in an awkward position during the fight.
Pride thus struck a double blow with this triumph. He became the first Quebecer to defeat a member of the Gracie family. Even Georges St-Pierre did not have the opportunity to do so during his illustrious career. Then, he did it during a portion of a gala presented on pay-per-view television. Two great accomplishments.
We can understand him having had an easy smile in the hours following this duel. He had just snapped a two-game losing streak and he did it with panache. In the UFC, this is an important aspect.
Charles, it’s Charles
Since the departure of Georges St-Pierre, the observers of the AMM have tried by all means to find his successor. Let’s stop right away. There will always be only one GSP in this sport. He’s one of the best fighters of all time.
Rory McDonald had suffered from this comparison when he had been identified as the dolphin of the former champion. He had enormous pressure on his shoulders and he never managed to reach GSP’s standards.
Olivier Aubin-Mercier has already had the same comparison during his time at the UFC. There were also expectations of Jourdain.
The latter had won everything in the TKO MMA organization before signing his first contract with the UFC. With his spectacular style, all hopes were allowed.
However, Jourdain was struck by reality. He realized that the quality of the opposition was very high. He would not be entitled to easy fights in the octagon.
The 27-year-old fighter delivered some disappointing performances in his first fights. Then there was a draw against Josh Culibao, an opponent within his reach.
Jourdain took a step back. Upon his return, he took a new approach to his fights. He decided to let go of his shots and the results were convincing.
Yes, before his victory against Gracie, he lost other duels, but he always fought like a lion. Or like a pirate, as he likes to say. He gives everything he has in his guts. Charles is Charles.
Jourdain no longer wants to have any regrets when he leaves the cage after a confrontation. And he doesn’t want to have any when he retires.
What’s next?
Jourdain’s goal is to reach the top 15 at featherweight in the near term. Saturday evening, the Quebecer issued an invitation to the dangerous Edson Barboza, ranked 14e of the 145 lb. ranking.
Will the UFC give him this opportunity? We will wish him by the end of the year.
This time he will want to kick down the door with a sparkling performance. He has proven time and time again that he has the courage and determination to do so.
Jourdain is not Georges St-Pierre. And it’s perfect like that. Even if he doesn’t become a champion, he will be able to say that he will have fought in the best mixed martial arts organization in the world. It is an achievement that deserves respect.