“Have you ever hit someone with all your might without consequence? It’s a pretty awesome feeling. I can lock myself in a cage with a guy who has the same hours of training as me, if not more, and try to destroy this guy until a referee steps in to save his life. »

Charles Jourdain has just spent a week enjoying “cigars, lots of food and tomahawk steaks”, after knocking out his opponent in the arena.

He laughs at this list during the first minutes of his call with La Presse. This is how he gets out of the pre-fight “unhealthy spiral”. Little pleasures, a great way to celebrate his second victory in a row in the octagon.

If he allowed himself deviations with regard to the regime in the last days, it is because the preparatory sacrifices for a fight are colossal. A member of the featherweight category, the Quebecer must weigh 145 pounds at the official weigh-in.

“Cutting weight is very difficult. You are in survival mode, at a point where you no longer even want to win, to conquer. All you want is to drink just a drop of water.

“But it’s part of the deal. I have a mission, a duty to respect the promotion, the opponent,” he explains.

On September 23, “Air” Jourdain (15-6-1) delivered the best performance of his UFC career. Victory by submission, using a guillotine, in the first round. He did not leave a choice to his opponent, the Brazilian Ricardo Ramos (16-5).

Yet, following this victory, his face was closed. Impassive. Essentially devoid of emotion.

The native of Beloeil sees it as a manifestation of stoicism, a philosophical movement which dictates that we only give importance to things we control, and with which he strongly identifies.

“I’m lucky enough to do something I love even if it’s difficult. When you don’t achieve it, it’s no one’s fault. I never blamed anyone for my mistakes. »

On the phone, you can hear it. The 27-year-old fighter is doing well – his voice carries the smirk. He says he is on a mission: that of a feeling of accomplishment, while ensuring he remains stoic, authentic, honest with himself.

“I’m as happy as when I won my first 40 piastres fighting in a garage in Thailand. But the goal was never to be happy. I think the feeling of accomplishment is more important than happiness. »

The UFC, for Jourdain, is a sort of modern representation of the ancient gladiator arenas. Two warriors are left to their own devices, in the center of a cage surrounded by a thirsty crowd. The referee is like the emperor who has the power to intervene.

“I had a moment of realization. I lost once in my career by submission [against the American Julian Erosa, in September 2021], by choke. I thought, “Wow, without a referee I was dead.” »

Charles Jourdain entered the UFC in 2019 at the age of 23. With 12 fights of experience in the big leagues, he is both the youngest Canadian to hold a contract there and the one who has fought there the most often – a clever blend of youth and experience.

With his performances, and thanks to the real face he strives to present on social networks, he has built a pool of inspired supporters.

“In June, at a UFC event in Vancouver, GSP told me: ‘It’s going to be intense, you’ll see.’ I spent hours and hours meeting thousands of people. There were full restaurants just to meet me,” he recalls, somewhat overwhelmed by the scale of it.

In Quebec, this is less the case. Combat sports aren’t exactly a priority in the province’s media. At one point, he was even given a bigger platform in France or the rest of Canada.

“I let go of my desire to get more coverage here. I’m not hating Quebec, it’s the one I represent. And I am really, really proud to be Quebecois. I am against the media coverage, for example that we will talk about the miniputt but not about me finishing a fight in the UFC. »

Realistically, Jourdain sees himself still fighting professionally until he’s 30. The featherweight championship is not a necessity. He doesn’t want to reach the point where he feels like he’s had “one fight too many.”

“It’s the tough times that will make me a better man. The belt as an object does not interest me. But the concept of sharing the cage with the best in the world would be an honor,” he says.

“I am not prepared to sell my years as a father and grandfather to achieve my combat goals. I’m not ready for that. I want to be able to run with my son and daughter. My health is essential. After my career, I want to leave with my boat full of treasures. »

Words from a stoic gladiator.