Steve Bossé

Early life

Bossé played hockey as a child and his goal was to become a professional in that sport. Always a tough player, he would train in boxing in order to improve his effectiveness on the ice. Bossé was a successful hockey enforcer in the Quebec semi-professional league of Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey (North American Hockey League)(LNAH).

Mixed martial arts career

Bossé began his training in mixed martial arts with Mark Colangelo, a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Renzo Gracie, and with Stephane Dube, a popular martial artist in Quebec. Bossé became interested in MMA in 2006 after he met his agent Stephane Patry, who gave him his first opportunity to fight. Bossé made his professional debut in the organization TKO 1 st June 2007 at the Montreal Bell Centre against David Fraser.

Strike Box/Titans Fighting incident

On February 6, 2009, Bossé fought James Thompson at Strike Box/Titans Fighting's inaugural event in Quebec, Canada. The event was originally scheduled to be conducted under Strike Box's own rules where only boxing, takedowns and standing submissions were allowed, but the rules were not accepted by the province's athletic commission in time for the event. It was therefore instead conducted under MMA rules. Before the event some fighters agreed to fight under Strike Box's proposed rules as a gentleman's agreement, though the referee in charge would not have any choice but to allow ground fighting were it to happen. Thompson, who later claimed to be unaware of the agreement, proceed to take down, mount and ground and pound Bossé - as allowed under MMA rules - after Bossé went for a standing guillotine choke at the start of the fight. This caused the attending audience to boo Thompson and the referee, unaware of that the fight was technically conducted under MMA rules. Beer cans and eventually chairs were then thrown into the ring, prompting referee Yves Lavigne to stop the match declaring it a no contest.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Bossé was expected to make his promotional debut against Ryan Jimmo on April 16, 2014 at The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale. However, Bossé was forced to pull out of the bout citing an injury. He was replaced by Sean O'Connell.

Bossé faced Thiago Santos on June 27, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 70. He lost the fight by knockout in the first round.

Bossé faced James Te-Huna on March 20, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 85. He won the fight via KO in the first round.

Bossé next faced Sean O'Connell on June 18, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 89. Bossé was awarded a unanimous decision victory. The back and forth action earned both participants Fight of the Night honors.

Hockey

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes;

Hockey awards

Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey