Ben Saunders vs. Patrick Cote added to UFC Fight Night 81 in Boston

Ben Saunders

A welterweight bout between fan favorites Ben Saunders (19-6-2 MMA, 7-5 UFC) and Patrick Cote (22-9 MMA, 9-9 UFC) has been added to January’s UFC Fight Night 81 event in Boston.

UFC officials today announced the bout.

UFC Fight Night 81 takes place Jan. 17, a Sunday, at TD Garden in Boston. The majority of the card is expected to air on FOX Sports 1 following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

The bout order hasn’t been finalized.

Cote, who had been pushing for a UFC on FOX 18 fight with Neil Magny, instead will return at UFC Fight Night 81. The former UFC middleweight title challenger was cut from the UFC roster in 2010. However, the 35-year-old Canadian is enjoying a big of a career resurgence at 170 pounds. He’s 5-1 over his past six fights – all in the UFC – and recently earned MMAjunkie’s “Fight of the Month” for his August victory over Josh Burkman.

Saunders, meanwhile, is also thriving in his latest UFC stint. The 32-year-old American Top Team Fighter went 4-3 in his first UFC stint after appearing on “The Ultimate Fighter 6” in 2007. After a solid and long run with Bellator, he returned to the UFC in 2014 and has won three consecutive fights. Most recently, he earned a split-decision victory over Kenny Robertson.

The latest UFC Fight Night 81 card includes:

• Champ T.J. Dillashaw vs. Dominick Cruz – for bantamweight title
• Eddie Alvarez vs. Anthony Pettis
• Travis Browne vs. Matt Mitrione
• Tim Boetsch vs. Ed Herman
• Daron Cruickshank vs. Paul Felder
• Patrick Cote vs. Ben Saunders

For more on UFC Fight Night 81, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.