The calendar flipped into 2021, and while the previous twelve months fell short of what fans had hoped for, the new year brought renewed optimism that most Canadian promotions would finally return to the canvas sometime this season.
After a lengthy stretch of cancelled shows across the country throughout 2020, plenty of domestic fighters are itching to get back behind the fence and compete as soon as doors reopen.
Below, we've put together ten hypothetical all-Canadian bouts we'd love to see staged somewhere in 2021. Note that fighters already under contract with the UFC or Bellator were excluded from these pairings.
Teddy Ash (14-5) vs. Aaron Jeffery (9-2) – Middleweight
Picture two former Dana White's Contender Series standouts going head-to-head for the crown of Canadian middleweight… how could that not be thrilling? Both Ash and Jeffery have stacked up victories against top-tier competition over the last couple of years, mostly opponents based south of the border. A clash between them would likely rank as the most significant middleweight bout Canada has seen in recent memory on the regional circuit. Rumours suggest Jeffery might be in contention for an upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), which could dampen the odds of this one materialising. Still, should the pieces fall into place, it would deliver UFC-quality entertainment worth watching.
Jesse Arnett (17-6) vs. Brad Katona (8-2) – Bantamweight
Once Katona parlayed his TUF performance into a UFC deal, this matchup suddenly looked unlikely to ever come together. But after Katona was subsequently cut from the roster, the door swung open once more. Arnett has consistently faced and toppled the cream of Canada's regional bantamweights, while Katona backed those credentials with two UFC victories alongside two TUF wins. This would absolutely be a firework show.
Anthony Romero (9-0) vs. Neal Anderson (10-3) – Lightweight
This contest would essentially decide who sits atop Canada's lightweight rankings apart from UFC-bound prospects. Romero enters with an unblemished record, while Anderson sits on a six-bout winning streak. In truth, Romero probably deserved a UFC contract after his DWCS victory last summer, yet Dana White passed. A victory over someone of Anderson's caliber would nudge Romero firmly toward that contract, whereas an Anderson win would surely grab the attention of UFC decision-makers. Given Anderson's regular presence inside Unified MMA's octagon and the fact their lightweight championship is currently unfilled, this could serve as a compelling showdown for the new Unified MMA lightweight champion.
Craig Shintani (9-3) vs. Tom O'Connor (9-1) – Lightweight
The showdown between O'Connor and Shintani carries the same buzz as the Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson clash did in the UFC. It has been attempted on numerous occasions over the years, yet never materialized. Despite that rocky history, this matchup deserves to finally come together. Both fighters boast credentials worthy of a UFC invitation, which elevates the stakes considerably. Since O'Connor is locked into an XFC deal, clearing those hurdles could prove more challenging, but there is reason to stay optimistic.
Christian Larsen (5-1) vs. Dustin Joynson (6-0) – Heavyweight
Larsen and Joynson stand as Canada's top two heavyweight prospects destined for a UFC call-up, and the personal drama between them adds extra spice. Larsen has been vocal about his desire to face Joynson, which begs the question: why not set up a bout for Larsen's Unified MMA heavyweight belt? Whoever walks away victorious would likely accelerate their path to the octagon, following in the footsteps of fellow Canadian Tanner Boser on the heavyweight division.
Achilles Estremadura (6-0) vs. Alex Martinez (7-0) – Lightweight
Picture this matchup. Both competitors earned contracts on the latest DWCS cycle, underscoring how competitive this fight would be. Estremadura ranks among the most polished and threatening strikers in the Canadian regional circuit, whereas Martinez has demonstrated well-rounded proficiency across the board. Currently competing under the Battlefield Fight League banner as its lightweight champion, Estremadura would bring a championship opportunity to the table. A clash between Estremadura and Martinez for the BFL lightweight title makes for a compelling card.
Lucas Neufeld (5-1) vs. Josh Kwiatkowski (4-2) – Featherweight
Even if they remain relatively obscure beyond Canadian borders, Neufeld and Kwiatkowski are genuine, legitimate prospects at featherweight. Both bring balanced skill sets to the cage and are seeking higher-caliber competition, which each can deliver against the other. Whenever and however this bout comes together, one thing is certain: it will be a thrilling fight.
Jamey-Lyn Horth Wessels (4-0) vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (4-1) – Women's Flyweight
Both Horth Wessels and Jasudavicius stand on the verge of earning UFC contracts, which would only heighten the intrigue of this bout. Horth Wessels had been set to face Chelsea Hackett on the latest DWCS season, but withdrew because of visa complications. Given the talent each fighter brings to the cage, landing that UFC opportunity seems inevitable for both of them. Until then, why not give Canadian MMA enthusiasts a genuinely high-caliber fight to anticipate?
Christien Savoie (8-1) vs. Thomas Richardson (6-1) – Welterweight
Richardson hasn't stepped into the cage in over two years—a real shame. Aside from his lone defeat, Richardson has steamrolled every opponent placed before him. Savoie, on the other hand, represents the genuine test Richardson has been looking for. Both fighters are prime DWCS material, yet there's ample time between now and next season's premiere for this bout to come together. Expect nonstop action from bell to bell.
Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz (8-1) vs. Jared Revel (11-2) – Middleweight
Ksiazkiewicz is riding after his maiden loss—a split decision defeat to Mario Sousa on DWCS—whereas Revel recently captured the biggest triumph of his career, handing UFC veteran Sergio Moraes his first loss at Taura MMA 10. Revel also wears the BFL middleweight championship belt, though the organization has had difficulty pitting him against legitimate contenders for the title. Ksiazkiewicz checks all the boxes as a deserving challenger for Revel's gold and promises a spectacular middleweight clash on Canadian ground.
