Canada's Keanan Patershuk determined to claim CFFC middleweight title: 'It's the biggest opportunity in my career'
"Porrada" faces champ Kyle Daukaus at Friday's CFFC 132 event on UFC FIGHT PASS.
British Columbia native Keanan "Porrada" Patershuk is dead set on being victorious at CFFC 132 against reigning middleweight champion Kyle "The D'Arce Knight" Daukaus. Patershuk, who is still relatively young in his MMA career, is looking at the fight as a massive opportunity to catapult himself to the next level.
"Absolutely explode it," Patershuk said of the potential impact on his career. "Kyle, he's an ex-UFC vet. He's a really good test. He's like the gatekeeper for me before I make that jump to the big leagues. It's the biggest opportunity in my career."
Patershuk (5-1) and Daukaus (14-4) clash in the main event of Friday's CFFC 132 card, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from Philadelphia's 2300 Arena.
While Patershuk labels Daukaus as a "gatekeeper," he certainly doesn't mean that as any sign of disrespect and is actually very appreciative of this opportunity from Daukaus, as well as the promotion.
"I'm super grateful for the opportunity, man – not only from Cage Fury, but from Kyle," Patershuk said. "He's got a lot more risk fighting a guy who's 5-1 and on the up-and-coming for regional fights, so yeah, I really appreciate the opportunity."
Patershuk's quick rise to a title fight was fueled largely by his ability to finish fights early. In fact, all five of his professional victories have come by first-round finish, including a pair of knockouts in the CFFC cage. Being an exciting fighter is something that Patershuk said he wants to demonstrate every time he fights.
"Fireworks, man," Patershuk said. "I'm an exciting fighter. I hate boring fights. I love to finish fights. If I get my way, it's going to be a fast fight."
In addition to ensuring he's always a fun watch, Patershuk has also taken it on his shoulders to help represent the next wave of new fighters from his native Canada.
"I'm very proud to represent my country and my province and my city," Patershuk said. "It's been a long time since a Western Canadian has kind of made any kind of run in professional MMA and really got a lot of traction, so I'm very excited to be that guy to kind of storm the gates in my division."
While Patershuk will have to travel to Daukaus' backyard for the CFFC 132 contest, he's actually quite excited about the chance to compete in Philadelphia. He was scheduled to compete in the venue this past September but ended up losing his opponent on fight week. However, Patershuk says he truly enjoyed his time watching the fights that night and the hospitality from the Philly faithful.
"Beyond words – like, even though I didn't get to fight there last time, the amount of respect I was greeted with from the time I arrived, even through the whole event watching, was incredible," Patershuk recalled. "Watching the crowd, it seems like it's such a sports fan's hub, you know what I mean? Like, I'm very excited to compete in front of that crowd."
Daukaus, of course, is focused on defending his title and working his way back to the UFC, but Patershuk believes that invitation should be his, and he knows the UFC matchmakers like to see athletes who deliver on excitement. Patershuk said his love for fast-paced fights was set well before he ever even decided to give it a go, himself.
"I guess aggressive would be a good way to put it," Patershuk said. "I hate boring fights – coming from a fan standpoint before I was ever a fighter. I hate guys who will just lay on you and just kind of bleed out the clock and won't do anything. Can't stand it."
Wrapping a CFFC title around his waist and taking out a UFC vet to do it could have very big implications for Patershuk. It's not an easy assignment, but he believes he possesses everything needed to deliver in the main event of CFFC 132.
"Everything I do well are things that are going to pick this guy apart," Patershuk said. "As long as I'm calm, cool, collected, I go in there and just flow and do what I'm good at, I'm going to catch him."
