Marc-Andre Barriault explains career turnaround after 0-3 start in UFC: 'A lot of a sacrifices'

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Marc-Andre Barriault was likely on the verge of the UFC chopping block after three losses to kick off his promotional tenure. Fast forward to Saturday’s UFC 289 and he elevated himself to a .500 record in the promotion.

Barriault (16-6 MMA, 5-5 UFC) acknowledged after his win over Eryk Anders (15-8 MMA, 7-8 UFC) that there’s still work to be done, but he thinks his recipe is a winning one. Although he credits a move to Kill Cliff in South Florida as a decision that advanced his career, Barriault said the biggest key to his success has been his attitude.

“I think I just did a lot of sacrifices,” Barriault told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “It’s not all about the way I changed the gym or whatever. I just surround myself with good people, great people. I have a supportive wife, my team. Just the way I carry myself every day, I feel like I’m a better human being every day. I feel like I’m just getting started, even if I’m older now. I feel like I’m more mature and right on my peak.”

UFC 289 marked the promotion’s first event in Canada since 2019, and fans hungry for live MMA action made themselves heard during Saturday’s event. The locals had much to cheer about, too, as home country fighters went 5-0 at the event. Unsurprisingly, Barriault would jump at the opportunity to fight on native soil again should it present itself.

“If the UFC wants to come back to Canada maybe before the end of the year, I’ll be more than happy to jump on that card,” Barriault said. “Right now I feel like I had my last two fights in March and June. I want to have some good time. I’m going to spend a couple weeks in Quebec with my coach and team there. After that, I’m going to drive back to Florida, and we’ll see what’s next.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 289.