Chance Beck (5-0) thinks a victory against Burlington's Adam Assenza (13-6) could open the door to a UFC contract.
The 34-year-old is set to defend his lightweight championship against Assenza in the main card of B2 Fighting Series 127, taking place Friday night at the venue in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Beck's journey to the title wasn't straightforward. He stepped into the pro-MMA cage for the first time in 2011 and competed once more in 2012, then stepped away from the sport for eight years before returning in 2020.
"I didn't fight for eight years and I got away from training for the last four. I was just bouncing around places working and moving to different places. Then, a little while later, I got into an altercation where a gentleman pulled a firearm on my younger brother and me. I ended up on the receiving end of trouble for that because I disarmed him, but I apparently used excessive force to do so," Beck told MMA Empire.
"I got in trouble for that, got out, moved to Kentucky from Georgia, and didn't train for probably the first two or three years. After that, I was just focused on getting back into work. Once I went back to a gym to train jiu-jitsu just for fun, I got offered a fight on four days notice just a couple of months into training. I said if I won I'd stay fighting, and now this will be my fourth fight in 10 months."
Against Assenza, Beck recognizes the Canadian competitor brings well-rounded skills to the table. He had noticed Assenza during a February card where the Burlington fighter defeated Sean Fallon—a man originally scheduled to face Beck.
Despite that, the Kentucky-based fighter is brimming with self-belief and anticipates stopping Assenza inside the cage.
"I've only been to the third round in my amateur career. I'm pretty active at seeking submissions if we are on the ground and on the feet, we are kickboxing," Beck explained.
"I was undefeated in muay thai before I got into MMA, so I'm well-rounded. It will be a fun fight, and I also think I can get the finish."
A victory over Assenza would push Beck to a perfect 6-0 professional record. He revealed his management team has already begun discussions with Sean Shelby, giving him reason to believe a triumph here will land him a UFC opportunity.
"That is the plan. I know my name is on the radar of big promotions after my last fight when I was the first person to submit Ruben Warr. My manager has been in talks with Sean Shelby, and I'm on the radar and they said to stay ready if something short notice happens," Beck said.
"A win over Adam will be a big notch in the belt. The plan is to win this fight, and taking a month or so off and see what happens. I will still be in the gym training, but I'm worried about staying active and building up my resume because I'm not getting any younger."
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