Fight Change Doesn’t Affect Laprise

C-K`s Chad Laprise will compete on UFC Fight Night 85 Saturday night, with Ross Pearson named as his new opponent | Photo from UFC and @ufcnewsalerts on Twitter

Changes to this weekend’s UFC Fight Night 85 card have had a direct effect on Chatham-Kent’s Chad Laprise. Or have they?

Laprise was scheduled to fight Alan Patrick in Brisbane, Australia this Saturday night, but had to ditch those plans and preparation last Friday. An injury to the flyweight division’s Justin Scoggins canceled his bout with Ben Nguyen. Dominoes continued to fall when Abel Trujillo had visa problems and was removed from his fight with Ross Pearson.

That’s where Laprise comes in. A phone call was quickly answered with zero hesitation when Chad was asked to shuffle his plans on a week’s notice and step up against Ross Pearson, instead of the originally scheduled Patrick, who is currently without a fight.

On social media, Laprise was quick to respond to the card change.

“Fighters fight,” said the Chatham native. “The UFC calls (me) to fight Ross Pearson on a week’s notice. Of course I said yes! Let’s do this!”

Laprise was the winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Nations, showcasing Canadian fighters against Austrailian mixed-martial-artists. Laprise previously told us he feels this event is a little bit of a home-coming for him, with many Aussie fight fans recognizing him from his win on TUF.

Laprise’s new match-up with Pearson also sets up a battle or two Ultimate Fighter winners. Pearson won the US vs UK edition of the show and has a record of 20-10. Laprise is 11-1 and sees his new bout as an opportunity against the more experienced Pearson.

Laprise and Pearson will appear on the preliminary card, seen on UFC Fight Pass on Saturday, March 19. Check UFC.com for details!