Cage Fury Fighting Championships continues to deliver thrilling back-to-back fight cards, and their latest installment promises to be no exception.
Thursday night brings a stacked lineup, highlighted by a cross-border showdown in the co-main event of CFFC 86: Quebec's unbeaten prospect Yohan "White Lion" Lainesse (4-0) will face off against Jersey-raised Roufusport fighter Lirim "Lenny the Gorilla" Rufati (4-2) in a middleweight matchup.
Fresh off a clean first-round stoppage of Connor Dixon in his previous outing, the 28-year-old Lainesse steps into the cage for his second CFFC appearance on UFC Fight Pass. With the bout elevated to co-main event status, the spotlight is shining even brighter on this card.
"I'm very excited about that," Lainesse told MMA Empire in a recent interview.
"I thrive under pressure, so this is right up my alley. I'm feeling aggressive and ready to chase my fifth straight victory. I think I'll be able to showcase my striking and notch my fourth knockout of the year."
Even though many gyms remain shuttered because of the pandemic, Lainesse has stayed focused and ready for the moment.
"The gym is closed here in Montreal, but I've been able to train with my coach and a few training partners at my home gym," Lainesse shared.
"Thankfully, I have a great team around me, I've been working really hard and everything feels really good. The guys I train with are very strong and push me to my limit, so I'm ready for this fight."
Rufati expects experience to play a factor
Preparation has looked quite different for 32-year-old Rufati, who noted the contrasting circumstances.
With gyms now open and access to top-tier talent, the Roufusport prospect believes his experience and conditioning will give him the edge.
"Obviously, I have to respect his power. He's big and comes at you hard," Rufati admitted in an interview with MMA Empire.
"Most guys like that come at you in the first round, then after that they slow down and get tired. He's only been in the second or third round as a professional one time. No disrespect, but I looked up his opponents and he hasn't really fought anybody good. They set him up with some scrubs that he can easily beat. This doesn't mean he doesn't have talent and some power, but nobody has really been able to pressure him like I think I'll be able to."
Whether the caliber of opposition is debatable, Lainesse remains unbeaten, and at 4-0 he says his self-belief is growing with each win.
"I'm not a trash-talker, so I don't have much to say. I'm just looking forward to getting in the cage," Lainesse responded.
"I don't think he knows about my kickboxing experience; maybe he just checked my Tapology page. I've fought tough guys and train with tough guys all the time. I'm confident that I'll be good enough to grapple with Lenny, and I'm really excited for this fight."
Lainesse eager to show well-roundedness
Lainesse spotted certain tendencies in Rufati's approach that he plans to exploit. With three first-round finishes to his name, he sees clear advantages standing, but the "White Lion" insists he's more than just a stand-up fighter.
"All of his fights have looked the same: big right hand, or big punches and shoot for takedown," Lainesse observed.
"He definitely doesn't want to be on the feet with me. I think he'd be surprised if I shot for a takedown, and there's no doubt my ground game is good enough. I'm a well-rounded fighter, not just a striker."
From a stylistic standpoint, this matchup looks like a classic clash: Rufati's known for his pressure-based style, and he's convinced that relentless pressure will overwhelm Lainesse on Thursday night.
"If I had to guess how this ends, I'd say second round TKO. He'll be gassed by the second round and that's all I'm going to say about that. I feel really good about it," Rufati declared.
CFFC 86 is shaping up to be yet another stellar night of mixed martial arts, and despite the pandemic limiting fan attendance, the competitors won't be holding back inside the octagon.
"At the end of the day, when the cage door locks it's only me and him. Nobody can throw the punches for me," Rufati emphasized.
"It's always nice to have fans there when you win the fight, but I'll be able to see them all after, and I know they'll be watching on Fight Pass."
Lainesse's Shoutouts
"Friends, family, ESS Fight Management, and my coaches and team at LV Jiu-Jitsu." Follow Lainesse on social media: INSTAGRAM
Rufati's Shoutouts
"Friends and family, everyone at Roufusport and my sponsors (Grupi Muzikor Melodia, Kabinet Depot, MMA Tee Co., Armour CBD, Section 247 Show, Harry's Prohibition Bistro, My Fight Space)." Follow Rufati on social media: TWITTER, INSTAGRAM
