It marked the first time since 2019 that Canada enjoyed a complete lineup of MMA events. We saw the comeback of promotions that had been absent during the pandemic, alongside the rise of brand-new organizations and athletes entering the scene.
The year delivered numerous standout moments and memorable bouts, making it the perfect moment to celebrate excellence through our second edition of the MMA Empire Canadian MMA Awards.
Male Fighter of the Year: Olivier Aubin-Mercier
Four victories, one spectacular knockout, and a $1 million payday—what's more you could want? Aubin-Mercier defeated Natan Schulte, Raush Manfio, Alex Martinez, and Stevie Ray to capture the 2022 PFL lightweight championship and the grand prize. Adding to his remarkable year: he hasn't tasted defeat since leaving the UFC in 2019.
Honourable mentions: Aaron Jeffery, Teshay Gouthro, Ramil Kamilov, Bojan Kladnjakovic, Cody Chovancek
Female Fighter of the Year: Shannon Clark
Several women posted comparable records to Clark's in 2022, but it was how she accomplished her victories that set her apart. At her professional debut on Rumble in the Cage 63, Clark secured a TKO victory over the highly resilient and battle-hardened Jackie MacLean. She then added another TKO triumph against Jo Maisonneuve at Unified MMA 49. Finding two wins more commanding is difficult.
Honourable mentions: Melissa Croden, Alana Cook, Jackie MacLean, Katie Saull, Randi Field
Fight of the Year: Tim Smith vs. Curtis Demarce at Unified MMA 44
Canadian MMA supporters witnessed some incredible matchups throughout 2022, but none matched the intensity of the three-round battle between Smith and Demarce before the Calgary audience, which erupted into a thunderous standing ovation when the bell finally sounded. Every exchange saw both fighters trading devastating blows, yet neither man crumbled. Smith ultimately took the decision, but the true victors were the fans who got to witness such a thrilling contest unfold live.
Honourable mentions: Scott Hudson vs. Austin Tweedy at Unified MMA 48, Brandon Labrecque vs. Samson Bieri at BFL 73, Nicolas Ouellet vs. Mateo Vogel at BFL 72, KB Bhullar vs. Strahinja Gavrilovic at Unified MMA 43, Shane Burgos vs. Charles Jourdain at UFC on ABC 3
Upset of the Year: Xavier Nash defeated Tristan Connelly at BFL 74
Connelly returned to the BFL cage for the first time since 2016 in what was his first bout following his exit from the UFC—a major homecoming moment. Nash entered the matchup riding a 6-5 record and fresh off a defeat. After fifteen minutes passed, however, none of those storylines seemed relevant as Nash unleashed a dominant wrestling display to hand a UFC veteran a stunning loss.
Honourable mentions: Mohamed Ado defeated Matt Speciale at Unified MMA 48, James Foster defeated Chris Lee Byrne at Prospect FC 14, Blake Oswald defeated Jerico MacPhee at FLA 5, Eli Aronov defeated Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz at Unified MMA 45, Sadibou Sy defeated Rory MacDonald at 2022 PFL 6
Comeback of the Year: Ryan Rohovich defeated Josh Kwiatkowski at BFL 72
At every turn, Kwiatkowski appeared to be cruising toward an easy victory. For the opening fourteen minutes, Rohovich offered no answers against everything Kwiatkowski threw his way. But then Rohovich spotted the opening he'd been waiting for and seized it. As Kwiatkowski worked from inside Rohovich's guard, Rohovich locked in a triangle choke with just thirty-five seconds remaining, completing one of the most improbable finishes in recent memory.
Honourable mentions: Mac Laursen defeated Lorenzo Celis at Unified MMA 43, Scott Hudson defeated Austin Tweedy at Unified MMA 48, Maged Hammo defeated Neal Anderson at Unified MMA 45, Keanan Patershuk defeated Keanan Kellar at BFL 75, Xavier Alaoui defeated Fabricio Sarraff at UAE Warriors 31
Professional Debut of the Year: Navid Zanganeh defeated Austin Batra at BFL 73
Seeing a fighter chase a championship belt in their pro debut is certainly unusual, but few could have stepped onto the scene more impressively than with gold around their waist. Zanganeh controlled the entire bout against Batra and walked away as the new BFL interim lightweight champion. While several other debuts delivered standout performances, capturing a title remains the ultimate achievement.
Honourable mentions: Mohamed Ado defeated Matt Speciale at Unified MMA 48, Usman Khattak defeated Steven Thomas at Unified MMA 47, Blake Oswald defeated Jerico MacPhee at FLA 5, Mehdi Zeidvand defeated Mauricio Cruz at Samourai MMA 2, Alana Cook defeated Max Turcotte-Novosedlik at Pallas Athena WFC 1
Knockout of the Year: Dylan Sheppard defeated Dawson Sampson at FLA 3
The finish from Dylan Sheppard's amateur debut at #FLA3 this past weekend 🤯😱. KO of the year? @Grabaka_Hitman (Video credit: Fight League Atlantic) pic.twitter.com/IQ1V9wZAda
— MMA Empire (@mmaempirecanada) May 2, 2022
Whether you call it a spinning back kick, a spinning hook kick, or a spinning heel kick, this finishes cleanly and easily claims the knockout of the year. Sheppard is definitely someone worth keeping an eye on as his career develops.
Honourable mentions: Anthony Romero defeated Kenneth Glenn at Fury FC 60, Jo Maisonneuve defeated Kat Voronova at Samourai MMA 2, Kyle Prepolec defeated Marco Elpidio at Prospect FC 14, James Foster defeated Chris Lee Byrne at Prospect FC 14, Mohamed Ado defeated Matt Speciale at Unified MMA 48
Submission of the Year: Blake Oswald defeated Jerico MacPhee at FLA 5
The submission itself wasn't what made this one remarkable—it was the setup that stole the show. Oswald had MacPhee backed up and was pressing with an arm bar. When he couldn't lock it in right away, he released briefly and unloaded a brutal hammer fist that clearly rattled MacPhee. Just under five seconds later, the arm bar was secured and the tap came. An incredible sequence orchestrated entirely by Oswald.
Honourable mentions: Cam Nelson defeated Michael William Adams at FLA 5, Brady Macdonald defeated Gavin Costa at FLA 5, Chris Comrie defeated Ilias Ait Moumen at MFL 23, Seth Connor defeated Broderick Rene at BTC 14, Charles Jourdain defeated Lando Vannata at UFC Fight Night 205
Event of the Year: Unified MMA 46
Unified MMA has truly distinguished themselves as the premier promotion in Canada this year. Every card they staged throughout 2022 delivered strong fight cards, many headlined by veterans who've competed in the UFC. Narrowing down the winner was difficult, but Unified MMA 46 stood out with three UFC veterans, a PFL veteran, and several of Canada's brightest young prospects on its roster—a lineup that's hard to pass over.
Honourable mentions: Unified MMA 48, Unified MMA 45, Prospect FC 14, BFL 72, BTC 14
