Charles Radtke is heading north into Canada this Saturday for his fight with a specific mission in mind.
He is set to face Canadian fighter Mike Malott in a welterweight clash at UFC 315 in Montreal. This matchup is notable as the only bout on the card featuring an American athlete against a Canadian one. During a recent media day, Radtke was questioned about his perspective on the current atmosphere between the neighboring countries, particularly in light of an incident where Canadians reportedly booed the U.S. national anthem at a prior hockey event.
Radtke clarified that hockey itself holds no interest for him. However, he emphasized that the act of booing the U.S. national anthem struck a personal chord. Referencing his upbringing on a ranch with a Marine Corps veteran grandfather, he stated the importance he places on respect for the flag and anthem. According to Radtke, such disrespect means “somebody`s going to have to pay for that,” linking this sentiment directly to his upcoming confrontation with Malott.
When prompted to deliver a message specifically for the Canadian audience expected at the Bell Centre for UFC 315, Radtke kept his reply brief and direct.
Facing potentially hostile crowds is not new territory for Radtke. He recalled receiving significant boos following his UFC debut victory in Sydney, where local fans largely supported his opponent. He anticipates a similarly cold reception in Montreal due to Malott`s popularity but indicated he welcomes the challenge, mockingly expressing feigned nervousness about fighting in front of the Canadian crowd.
