Summertime is here and the weather is sweltering across North America. Despite pop-up showers and thunderstorms during afternoon hours in areas affected by an ongoing heat wave, temperatures are still expected to reach 90 degrees or higher (Fahrenheit) for the better part of this week.
With the summer solstice occurring on Thursday, it’s also the start of a big three months of combat sports. Canadian MMA takes center (centre) stage on UFC Fight Pass on Friday night.
Quebec-based Samourai MMA holds its second card of 2024 on Friday night, Samourai MMA Chapter 10. As part of the promotion’s new media rights deal with the UFC’s subscription-based streaming platform, Friday’s card will be shown in both English and French on Fight Pass beginning at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT. All told, absent of any 11th-hour adjustments between now and fight day, Samourai MMA Chapter 10 features 11 bouts.
Super-Welterweight Championship at Stake in Samourai MMA Chapter 10 Co-Main Event Friday Night
Three title fights will highlight the night, including a fight at 175 lbs. While super-welterweight fights aren’t seen that much in MMA in North America, Samourai MMA’s Super-Welterweight Championship is on the line Friday night.
Incumbent champion Jonathan Ramsay (5-0 MMA, 5-0 Samourai MMA) returns to the promotion after being cast on this season of The Ultimate Fighter television series for a rematch against challenger Dany Mallette (5-1 MMA, 3-1 Samourai MMA) in the Samourai MMA Chapter 10 co-main event.
Like the other two championship fights on Samourai MMA Chapter 10, this one is an advertised maximum of five rounds at five minutes per round,
The Series So Far
With the rematch looming on Friday, Ramsay leads the all-time series against Mallette 1-0. Last year, he bested Malette by unanimous decision after three rounds. How will the rematch play out?
Samourai MMA Chapter 10 Co-Main Event Fighter Comparison
Heading into Friday night’s co-main event, Dany Mallette stands 6-foot-1, with no such information for Jonathan Ramsay. No reach information was available for either fighter at press time.
Additionally, no betting odds have been released as of press time. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening in MMA this weekend, please wager responsibly.
Ramsay Back in Action in Samourai MMA Chapter 10 Co-Main Event
Jonathan Ramsay has yet to lose thus far in his pro MMA career. Prior to the original contest vs. Danny Malette, he stopped Ramon Grano (11-8-1 MMA, 0-1 Samourai MMA), a veteran of LUX Fight League, by knockout at the end of the second round in May of last year.
Ramsay had been initially booked to defend the Samourai MMA Super-Welterweight Championship on Feb. 2 during Samourai MMA Chapter 9 against Dejan Kajic (16-8-2 MMA, 0-1 Samourai MMA) before the contest was scrubbed upon Ramsay getting cast on The Ultimate Fighter on ESPN.
His shot at a UFC contract was unrealized, with Ramsay now back in Canada without making the final roster of the 32nd season of the show. However, with the champion, nicknamed “Finish Him!”, having won 13 straight fights in MMA dating back to his amateur career, he could be on UFC CEO Dana White’s shortlist for a call-up to the promotion with a successful defense of the strap on Friday night in the Samourai MMA Chapter 10 co-main event,
Will he defend the title? Only time will tell.
Dany Mallette Has Revenge on His Mind Friday Night
In the other corner, Dany Mallette has posted a record of 4-1 in his last five MMA fights. Last September, he scored a first-round knockout in just 25 seconds against Carlos Paita (3-4 MMA, 0-1 Samourai MMA) during Samourai MMA Chapter 8 on Triller TV.
Mallette’s gameplan is set on one motivation and only one motivation: Revenge. The memories of his first fight against Jonathan Ramsay are no doubt still fresh in his mind. How has he adjusted his gameplan from the initial confrontation against the champion to even the score on Friday night?
Tune in and find out.
Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction
You’ll have another strength vs. strength matchup here in the Samourai MMA Chapter 10 co-main event. Who will take home the championship?
Jonathan Ramsay Doesn’t Mess Around
Given that Jonathan Ramsay has 13 combined wins in amateur and professional wins, he’s a fighter that can get his assignment finished in a hurry. One need look no further than his bout against Colton Boxell in February of 2023.
Right after the command to start was given, Ramsay unloaded on a quick barrage of punches to put Boxell down and out. Time of the knockout: Six seconds.
If Jonathan Ramsay comes out swinging, look out. The Samourai MMA Chapter 10 co-main event will be over in a hurry.
Dany Mallette Can Also Work Quickly
In the other corner, Dany Mallette can make highlights of his own. Just watch the tape of his boxing match vs. Juan Nava from last fall.
During the first round of a scheduled four, Mallette landed a punch to the body on Nava with the latter clapping his gloves, baiting him as if to say “Come on, give me another one.” In an example of the adage “Be careful what you wish for,” Nava walked right into another shot, knocking him down against the ring rope.
Nava wouldn’t beat the count and Mallette scored a knockout in his pugilism debut. Look for Mallette to try to counterpunch on Friday night.
Final Thoughts
This looks to be a striker’s treat. With the only MMA competition being the PFL, take time out from the fights in Utah and watch the action in the Samourai MMA Chapter 10 co-main event.
Prediction: Jonathan Ramsay by First-Round Knockout.
