TRURO, N.S. – Canada’s top fighter outside the Ultimate Fighting Championship is stepping into the Octagon for his first Truro fight next month.
Albertan Jesse (Big Cat) Arnett is fighting Antigonish native Adam MacDougall in the main event of Fight League Atlantic 1, at the Rath-Eastlink Community Centre on, Feb. 8.
“I’m just excited to get back into the cage,” said Arnett. “I’m mixing it up more, I’m using my strikes into my takedowns and, of course, my jiu-jitsu.”
Long regarded as Canada’s best MMA fighter outside the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Arnett won 12 straight fights in a row, leading up to a defeat at the hands of Josh Hill in May 2019.
Since then, Arnett has been back in the gym, practising his mix of jiu-jitsu, wrestling and boxing ahead of his Truro fight.
Despite his loss, Arnett said he was “the best I’ve ever been in MMA.”
However, he was careful not to underestimate MacDougall, currently ranked 15th out of 74 Canada Pro Bantamweights. His last professional fight ended in a no-contest with Manny Alfaro, but he won four in a row prior to that.
“He’s dangerous,” said Arnett. “It’s a big deal for him, it would change his life if he beat me. I’m not letting that happen.”
Arnett’s own life could yet change. He has already been offered a UFC deal, but had to turn it down as he was already under contract with TKO MMA.
Now 35, Arnett only took up MMA when he was 27, after watching it on TV.
Arnett had been a wrestler since he was 13, when a teacher introduced him to the sport. Arnett wrestled through high school and eventually won a college scholarship to study sports science.
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Local fighters reveal what drives them
Also entering the octagon on Feb. 8 for Fight League Atlantic 1, are three Truro-area fighters, Isaiah Bernard, Luke Little and Jessica Woodworth.
For Bernard, it was attacks by school bullies that compelled him to take up martial arts, when he was 14 years old. He began his training at Marmac Athletics at 36 Inglis Place in Truro, but has since changed gyms several times.
“It’s helped me gain confidence,” said Bernard. “After I started in Truro, I got really good at the sport. I wanted to defend myself, but I didn’t fight the bullies, because it wasn’t worth the time.”
Now 22 and living in Halifax, he is ready for his first-ever fight in his hometown, as a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His opponent will be Josh LeBlanc from Saint John, N.B.
“It feels kind of surreal,” said Bernard. “I don’t have a goal. I just want to beat this guy up and go out and beat the next guy.”
Outside the ring, Bernard is a business student at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax.
He already runs a business with his father in Cape Breton, selling antique-themed furniture. He hopes one day to branch out on his own.
Meantime, Luke Little from Bible Hill is also ready to fight, having practised martial arts since he was just five years old. He currently trains at Marmac Athletics.
He started off with karate, then took up judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and finally kick-boxing.
“Martial arts has moulded my whole personality and life,” said Little. “I find it’s great motivation to help me be a good person.”
He said martial arts have taught him values including loyalty, determination, respect and discipline, keeping him out of trouble.
“I feel good, I train hard and I’m ready to put on a show and have fun,” said Little.
