Viral star Yohan Lainesse says much work still to be done: 'It's just the beginning for me'
Canadian welterweight Yohan Lainesse has quickly made a name for himself under the CFFC banner, picking up two first-round knockouts in two appearances, including a 14-second flying knee that became an instant viral sensation.
But the undefeated 28-year-old knows that the increased exposure doesn't mean much just yet. Sure, he welcomes the attention, but he still has much to prove on his journey.
"I don't think that changed anything about my life," Lainesse said of his viral moment. "Of course, I signed a CFFC contract with three fights, and I'm very happy about that, but I didn't get the call to the UFC. I think I have more fans now because of my flying knee, but I don't think it's changed a lot in my life. I think I still have so much to prove to myself.
"I'm very happy about the performance I gave, but I think I still have a lot to prove. Of course it gives me a lot of confidence. I'm excited for the next challenge. I know I can be a spectacular fighter. I know I have a lot of skills to put on a good show, like a 'Knockout of the Year' or 'Submission of the Year' or something like that, so I'm very excited for what's next. The best is yet to come."
A Quebec native, Lainesse (5-0) has had to contend with rigid lockdown orders during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, "White Lion" says he's been able to rely on a small team of highly skilled training partners to improve even during this trying time. Now he returns to action at Thursday's CFFC 93 event, where he takes on fellow undefeated prospect Troy Green (4-0) at Philadelphia's 2300 Arena in a bout that streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS.
Lainesse said he's scouted his opponent and isn't too concerned with any one particular aspect of his game.
"I'm the kind of guy who looks at a lot of video," Lainesse said. "I watched all of his fights, and I don't see anything special. The guy looks very strong. He looks like he has good hands and good striking, but every fight he goes the distance, and he wrestles on the cage with his opponent. A little bit of takedowns, but not so much. I think it's a good matchup for me.
"If he wants to stay on the feet in front of me, that's going to be a very good show, but if he wants to close the distance, I think I'm going to put him down and I'm going to finish him. So in both scenarios, I think I'm going to finish the guy."
After his first two appearances in the CFFC cage, expectations will certainly be high for Lainesse to deliver another spectacular moment. However, he says he doesn't feel any pressure to live up to those expectations – after all, if he simply executes the way he knows he can, those moments will come, and he relishes the opportunity.
"No, I don't feel the pressure," Lainesse said. "I'm the kind of guy that when the pressure is here, I level up. I love the pressure. I love when all the eyes are on me. I'm the kind of guy who levels up my game every time I have a chance to do that. Of course, I did a very great performance my last fight. I think I'm going to do another great performance now. I believe in myself. I believe in my skills. I'm a hard worker. I love the fact that I'm from Canada, I take the flight, I'm going to war – me and my coach in another country.
"I'm coming to the U.S., I'm like the underdog. Maybe I'm 5-0, but I'm always the underdog because I'm from Canada. I love that. Nobody knows me. Now more people know me because I did the flying knee, but it's only been my last two fights. Before that, nobody knows me. But I don't feel pressure, really. When I walk to the cage, I'm so focused. I'm in my element. I'm in my art. I'm so focused, and that's why I'm so dangerous. Nothing can change my mind. Nothing can scare me. I'm so focused. I have a job to do, and I'm going to have the job done on March 12."
Lainesse's confidence is unshakable, and he's proven himself worthy of such expectations thus far in his CFFC career. Another spectacular finish would certainly gain even greater attention from the sport's biggest promotions.
Lainesse is anxious for that opportunity, but he's not in a rush. Viral moments are great, but Lainesse is in this game for the long haul.
"Of course the UFC is the plan, but I would love to have the belt with CFFC," Lainesse said. "I love the fact that you are the champion, plus I don't have a lot of rounds of experience in my career. In my five fights, I have like seven rounds, so four of my fights were finished in the first, and I did one three-round fight. Of course I would be happy to go in the UFC, but my plan is I'm going to finish Troy Green, and I'm going to fight for the welterweight title. It's just the beginning for me."
