The Big Cat Returns & Taura MMA 11 Preview

The Big Cat, Jesse Arnett returns tonight taking a short notice fight at Taura MMA 11. Arnett is currently the number one Bantamweight in Canada not signed to the UFC, Bellator, or other major MMA promotion. Arnett fights out of Calgary, Alberta with a record of 16-6 including wins over some former UFC fighters. These wins over UFC vets includes Roland Delorme, Derrick Minner, Johnny Bedford, and a win over upcoming Contender Series fighter, Vince Murdock. 

Arnett is an exciting fighter who rarely goes to a decision as 11 of his victories have come by way of submission. This includes three of my favourite submission, the d’arce choke. 

Photo from Jesse Arnett's Instagram @JesseArnett

Arnett started his career at just 3-4, but has gone on to become one of the best in Canada. He has won several Canadian championships, including Hard Knocks Fighting Championships, Z Promotions Fight Night, and TKO MMA. Arnett even became a double champion (135/145) and then did a boxing fight. (Sound familiar McGregor fans?) Arnett was also the main event of the first ever Fight League Atlantic MMA event. 

Arnett has been right on the edge of the UFC for a few years now, and with another win or so, may very well likely be back in the UFC conversation. Arnett's two most recent losses are against recent UFC debut winner, Nate Maness, and top ranked Bellator fighter and fellow Canadian, Josh Hill. Arnett followed these two losses with that February 2020 main event submission win in the main event of Fight League Atlantic 1. Arnett has not competed in MMA since then. It has been tough for any Canadian MMA fighters to compete this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. There has still yet to be any pro MMA events in Canada since the beginning of the shutdowns in March.

Unfortunately for Jesse, he did miss weight for this fight. However, it must be noted that he is taking this fight on short notice. As mentioned earlier, there has been no pro MMA events in Canada since March. So when you get the call for short notice, sometimes you just have to jump at those opportunities. Arnett has not missed weight in over 8 years, with this weight miss being only due to the short notice fight.

Jesse Arnett recently signed with a new management company in MTK MMA. I expect with the new management company, and a few good wins for Arnett, he will get that long awaited shot in the UFC.

Arnett competes tonight at Taura MMA 11 in Kissimmee, Florida. This is also Arnett's first pro MMA fight outside of Canada. He takes on Brazil's Pedro Souza. Souza is 16-3 with 10 wins by submission. This may be an exciting grappling match up as most of their combined wins come by way of submission. Or their grappling skills may cancel out and we may see a stand up striking battle. With Arnett having that 1-0 pro boxing experience, expect him to possibly have the advantage on the feet. (Article continues below).

Photo from Jesse Arnett's Instagram @JesseArnett

This is the first event for Taura MMA in the United States. The card features a few former UFC fighters, including both main event fighters, Richardson Moreira vs Jonathan Wilson. That fight will be for their light heavyweight championship. The co-main event features former TUF 15 competitor, former UFC fighter, and Rizin FF standout, Daron Cruickshank fighting against Deivison Ribeiro. Other former UFC fighters on the card tonight include Marcelo Golm, and TUF Brazil competitor William Macario.

This is an exciting event that I cannot wait to see. And it is a big stage for Jesse Arnett if he manages to get the victory tonight.