Former UFC welterweight champion Carlos Newton returns to competition for promotional newcomer Warrior-1 MMA’s “Inception” on March 28 at the Robert Guertin Arena in Gatineau, Quebec. Newton (13-13) will meet local draw Nabil Khatib (8-4) in a welterweight bout, his first on native Canadian soil since he began his career in 1996.
Few have had the globetrotting career that Newton has, which began at the age of 19. In short time, Newton was splitting his time between Japan’s vaunted Pride Fighting Championship and the U.S.’s Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Newton was noted for his athletic reflexes, a smooth Brazilian jiu-jitsu game, and a penchant for eclectic training. Returning to the Octagon in 2001, Newton rose to prominence with an unexpected submission victory over stalwart and former UFC champion Pat Miletich at UFC 31.
Newton lost the title to Miletich’s protégé, Matt Hughes, after a dramatic second-round slam at UFC 34 in November 2001. Newton rematched Hughes to no avail at UFC 38 and never regained his stride, dropping seven of his last 11 bouts into 2007.
Dividing time between the fighting and running a nursing home he had purchased near his native Newmarket, Ontario home, had taken its toll. Newton shelved his fighting career, but never strayed too far from his roots. In 2007, he coached the Toronto-based Dragons team for the International Fight League. Newton did not return for the 2008 season.
"I have been away from MMA for some time now and I couldn't be more excited to be back,” said Newton in a press release. “It only seems right to make my return in my home country and with a great organization like Warrior One.”
The evening’s co-main event features Mark Holst against TKO veteran Martin Grandmont in a lightweight matchup.
