Ruthless Lucas Taylor (Image Credit: L'Aréna MMA)

By Marty Hastings

IN THE CAGE

Ruthless Lucas Taylor posts victory in Samourai Mixed Martial Arts tournament

Mar 30, 2026 | 4:28 PM

LAVAL — Ruthless Lucas Taylor lived up to his nickname at a Samourai Mixed Martial Arts event on Friday (March 27) in Laval, Que.

He punished Victor Bordage of France, winning by unanimous decision after three rounds.

Taylor, the only active professional MMA fighter in Kamloops, is competing in an eight-man tournament, the winner of which will fight for the Samourai bantamweight title.

“Not to be arrogant or anything, but it is sort of what I expected,” Taylor said of his win on Friday. “I knew I was going to be able to win the fight. I knew I had the tools. I knew I was better than him. I was able to nullify all of his striking. In the second round, I was able to outstrike him.”

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Last year, Taylor joined Samourai, one of the top promotions in Canada and a launching pad to the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Professional Fighters League for those with the chops. 

Taylor, who trains at Boa Martial Arts, was fighting last weekend for the first time since suffering his first pro defeat on Sept. 12.

Losses at this stage of his career are notable blows to hopes of advancing to the top MMA promotions, while wins keep the dream alive.

“You can sort of sit on the sidelines and feel sorry for yourself and start questioning whether it’s something you want to do or you can get back on your horse and really go after it with everything you’ve got – and that’s what I did,” Taylor said. 

“I proved to everyone who watched – but more importantly to myself – that this is something I could and should be doing.” 

Taylor expects his next bout to take place on May 29, when he will fight for a spot in the tournament semifinal round.