• UFC

Cote vows to come back after being axed from UFC

ESPN staff
October 28, 2010
Patrick Cote's knee injury was the start of his downfall © UFC
Enlarge

Patrick Cote has vowed to return after being cut by the UFC.

Cote was tipped for big things, as a four-fight winning streak earned him a shot at the UFC middleweight crown in 2008. He proved his durability by taking Anderson Silva into the third round before being beaten via TKO after suffering a leg injury.

He was expected to bounce back stronger, but following a knee operation and 18 months on the sidelines he was beaten by Alan Belcher and a third defeat on the spin followed at the hands of Tom Lawlor.

The downward spiral proved too much for UFC supremo Dana White who elected to wield the axe this week.

Cote had been hopeful of retaining his place in UFC, but has taken the news with good grace and is vowing to return stronger.

"I had a little hope but finally got the release word from the UFC. It's been an awesome experience. I'll be back," Cote wrote on his Twitter page.

The news could act as a wake-up call for Britain's Dan Hardy, who has lost his last two fights to Georges St Pierre and Carlos Condit.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close