First show at Playground a big hit for FightQuest

Almost 1,000 fans took in FightQuest’s latest event for a 14-fight card at its newest venue in Playground Poker, making its 62nd show the biggest so far.

“It was amazing to be able to do a show over there at Playground. For 13 years we were waiting to do something at Playground, and we were finally able to do it,” said FightQuest co-promoter Stephane Vigneault.

“It’s a bigger venue, it’s more professional, it was almost like a pro-level venue but for amateur fights. We’re very happy that they welcomed us.”

A bigger venue meant more logistical challenges, and while they’ve learned some lessons for next time, Vigenault said it went very well with Playground’s help.

“We’re doing great things. We’re improving all the time and trying to make it better,” said Vigneault.

Kahnawa’kehró:non Tiaohsera’te Johnson, the lone local fighter on Saturday’s card, was blown away by the new venue.

“The venue was honestly breathtaking and extremely professional. Everything was handled with extreme competence and a level of professionalism I haven’t seen in other amateur promotions,” said Johnson.

“Hell, even my coach, who’s a professional fighter, said it was better than a lot of the professional venues he’s been to - and I have to agree. I’m excited to compete there again.”

Vigneault said that going forward, FightQuest will keep some variety in its venues by going to the Knights of Columbus and outdoor venues like in the past, but they are hoping Playground will be a regular host going forward.

Johnson (1-2) competed for the third time with FightQuest, this time achieving his first-ever victory, by unanimous decision (29-28 x3) over Vincent Morin de Ruyter.

Originally, Johnson was supposed to fight Zayed Al Nuami, but three days before the match, it was announced that Al Nuami was unable to compete on Saturday.

That led to the rematch between Johnson and Morin de Ruyter, with the latter having won their previous bout by unanimous decision back at FightQuest 56 in October 2024.

“I was preparing a very specific way, it kind of flipped things upside down to be told I was actually going to fight one of my previous opponents three days before the fight,” said Johnson.

“We focused on what I was good at for this fight rather than the dangers my opponent provided, which ended up working well.”

He was happy to pull out the victory in Saturday’s rematch.

“It’s particularly a good feeling because it shows very tangible improvement,” he said.

That improvement came in the cage, but also in his mind.

“I focused a lot on the mental aspect and the physical conditioning. In my head I knew I was going to win this match because I envisioned it so much and believed in myself,” said Johnson.

“That gave me the confidence to try out techniques and striking styles I normally don’t do under stress.”

He has been working on his grappling for the last six months, a big factor in his win, he said.

Cyril Robert, a coach for Impak MMA - the team that Morin de Ruyter is a part of - had three fighters on the card, including the only women’s bout between Impak’s Roxanne Tremblay and Rachel Robinson, which was ultimately won by Robinson in the second round by technical knockout.

Robert is hoping to see more opportunities for amateur women fighters not just at FightQuest, but at every promotion.

“There aren’t enough women, which makes it extremely difficult to find a match. When we do have a matchup, we often don’t really know what to expect and we often have to say yes no matter what - we don’t know how long it will take to have another one or if there will even be another one,” said Robert.

“There was a big difference in experience between the two women.”

As for Morin de Ruyter and Johnson, Robert said a third bout could be in the cards in the future for the two fighters, now tied at one win apiece.

His third fighter, Justin Bélanger, won the FightQuest Light Heavyweight championship against Félix Paquin in the main event by unanimous decision (30-27 x3).

“We couldn’t ask for anything better, winning like that against a champion,” said Robert.

Going into the bout, Robert said there was a lot of hype around Paquin, making Bélanger the underdog going in.

“We gave it everything. We knew what to expect going in, we knew what our gameplan was, and it gave us the result we wanted.”

Full results can be found on FightQuest’s Facebook page.

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