For almost ten years, Toronto, Ont.'s Adam Assenza (13-6) has stood as one of Canada's most recognizable MMA names.
The 33-year-old fighter has tested himself against and defeated some of the top lightweights across Canada's regional circuit, along with multiple prospects from the United States.
However, back in February, Assenza ventured beyond his home country for the first time in his extensive pro career, heading to HRMMA 118 where he captured a split decision win over Sean Fallon. This marked his first trip south of the border in his long professional journey.
While he remains eager to keep fighting domestically as well, Assenza made clear his ambition to build a stronger presence in the larger U.S. MMA landscape.
"Definitely the states is the way to go. Canadian athletes don't get enough exposure, don't get enough credit, none of that stuff," Assenza told MMA Empire during an interview.
"I did apply for my dual citizenship as well, so maybe if I get that it'll be even easier, but I'm just going to keep winning fights and collecting belts."
Of his 13 professional victories, eight have arrived by knockout or TKO, demonstrating Assenza's capacity to finish bouts quickly and spectacularly.
The fighter believes his entertaining approach to combat is exactly what he needs—the key is securing the right platform to showcase his abilities to the people who matter in the sport.
"I know I'm an exciting fighter. I've never been in a boring fight unless the other guy can hold me down for a bit," Assenza explained.
"It's just a matter of exposure and keeping on winning these fights."
After his February bout, Assenza was slated to appear on the BTC 10 card in Vancouver, B.C., but ultimately no opponent materialized.
Around that same period, however, he received an offer to challenge for the B2 Fighting Series lightweight title on July 23—a proposal he accepted immediately.
"I always need to have a fight locked down. I don't like just consistently training; I like to fight every three months, I like to be busy, I like to be active," Assenza said.
"BTC was having trouble finding opponents and there was a whole bunch of other issues around it with COVID, so as soon as the B2 thing came up I just jumped on it. I signed with them again for a couple fights and I'm guaranteed those fights, I know they're going to happen."
Now Assenza faces off against the undefeated champion Chance Beck (5-0) in the main event of B2 Fighting Series 127, set to take place in Bowling Green, Ky.
Despite Beck carrying only five professional fights, Assenza insists the champion brings far more experience than his record suggests, thanks to an extensive amateur background, and anticipates a serious challenge.
"He's actually a few years older than me, so he's been in the sport for a long time. I just think he had a long layoff and then he just started racking up these wins in the last year, so he's definitely a well-rounded fighter and has a lot of experience," Assenza noted.
"You can just kind of tell with how he fights and how he does things that he's not new."
