Aaron Jeffery carried heavy expectations going into his CFFC 93 matchup versus Collin Huckbody for the middleweight belt.
The London, Ontario-born fighter aimed to capture gold from a tough competitor in Huckbody—a man who earned a Dana White's Contender Series contract before declining it, citing the need for additional preparation. Jeffery dominated on the mat throughout the contest and secured a decisive victory via unanimous decision.
Despite falling short of a finish, Jeffery expressed satisfaction with his showing considering the obstacles he navigated just to step into the cage that night.
"It was incredible, honestly," Jeffery told MMA Empire. "Training camp was incredibly stressful with all the COVID lockdowns and the gym being shut down, forcing us to train in secret."
"I dealt with multiple injuries plus shingles. Had I walked away without the belt, I genuinely would have questioned whether everything was worth it and considered hanging up my gloves. Winning meant everything to me. The stakes were even higher knowing most CFFC titleholders eventually reach the UFC."
Following his triumph, speculation swirled that the 28-year-old Canadian was headed for Las Vegas. Jeffery countered that the current climate makes that path challenging, given that the UFC tends to sign talent on short notice.
This presents a particular hurdle for Jeffery, since securing a work visa requires an established employer sponsorship.
"I'm hoping so, but I keep hearing the UFC roster is stacked and they're only signing fighters when someone drops out unexpectedly," Jeffery elaborated. "Short-notice signings create visa problems—I can't realistically get a work visa processed in a matter of weeks."
"If the UFC doesn't pick me up, I won't have a sponsor for a visa, and short-notice fights leave almost no time to process one."
Regardless of which organization comes calling, Jeffery is confident his next bout will arrive on a bigger stage. He feels his regional tenure has been long enough and it's time to earn proper compensation.
"My management team is speaking with various matchmakers, so let's see where things go. I don't think I should have to go through the Contender Series route again—if that's the only path left to the UFC, then fine," Jeffery noted.
"Let's see what other top organizations like Bellator or ONE Championship are thinking. I've spent what feels like an eternity on the regional circuit, and it's finally time to earn real money."
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