Bossé made his MMA debut this past June and tonight will face former TKO Heavyweight champion, Icho Larenas. Below is my interview with the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu native just hours before his bout. As you know, I usually post the audio to all my interviews but let’s just say his English was, rather, poor. Plus, I wouldn’t want to subject anyone to my broken French (I asked Steve the questions in French but he insisted on responding in English).

Ariel Helwani: Who is responsible for introducing you to MMA?

Steve Bossé: (TKO president and CEO) Stephane Patry (ed. note: Patry is now
Bossé’s agent).

AH: How did you guys meet?

SB: We have a mutual friend and he told Stephane “hey, come see one of Steve’s hockey games. He is a great fighter.” So, he came to see me and I did my best to knock someone out. So, afterwards he told me if you train Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling I will give you one tryout MMA fight. After I won that one fight, he signed me to a contract.

AH: Which team do you train with now?

SB: Team Bergeron in Drummondville. Also, with Fabio Holanda of Brazilian Top Team and my wrestling coach is Jason Chan.

AH: This is only the third fight of your MMA career, are you surprised to be fighting in the main event this soon?

SB: I’m happy to fight in the main event and if I win I hope to fight for the belt.

AH: Did you always want to become an MMA fighter?

SB: I’ve always been a fighter and have boxed. I love my life…my training life and I want to be the champion and I train everyday to be that.

AH: What do you covet more: a contract with the UFC or with the NHL?

SB: All my energy is being put into MMA career. I want to be a champion and maybe one day go fight in the UFC. Hockey is not my top sport anymore.

AH: Have you officially retired from sport of Hockey?

SB: No, I will play 36 games (this year) but I stop playing a month before a fight because I don’t want to get hurt.

AH: For those that are just hearing about you – exactly how popular are you in Quebec?

SB: People in Quebec love me because I’m a striker and a big hitter. In hockey, I’ve been knocking out everyone. I have gone after the top fighters in the North American Hockey League have knocked them all out.

AH: Which MMA fighter do you you try to pattern your career after?

SB: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. That’s my boy.

AH: Why?

SB: Because he strikes well, punches well and is a great wrestler. I want to be the same as him.

AH: Recently, you traveled to Phuket, Thailand, to learn Muay Thai – what was that experience like?

SB: It was a great experience. I trained there for one month very hard. Every day, I would train Muay Thai for four hours and Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling for two hours. When I came back in August, I wasn’t the same guy.

AH: What are your thoughts on your opponent tonight – Icho Larenas?

SB: I am happy to fight the ex-champion because it’s an opportunity for me to prove to the fans that I can train really hard. I just want to be the champion.

AH: How many fights are on your TKO contract?

SB: It’s a five-fight contract.

AH: What are you looking to do when your contract is up?

SB: I am one of the most popular fighters in TKO. I want to stay there and win their belt. I want to protect the belt and then in one or two years maybe go to the UFC.

AH: How do you expect tonight’s fight to go down?

SB: Oh, I am knocking him out, for sure (laughs).