For Craig Maclean and Andrew Bard, capturing the championship means something far deeper than lifting a belt.
Maclean (4-2) is set to face Bard (2-6) at Rise FC 2 for the vacant bantamweight title on Friday night in Chilliwack, B.C.
Maclean noted that securing victory would crown him champion and position him favorably for opportunities with larger promotions in the future.
"I've never been one to chase regional fame or settle into becoming a hometown celebrity," Maclean told reporters.
"I'm 31 now, and I'm not interested in being some popular local figure. I want to see how far this path leads me. I still have a few years in me to chase the big stage, and that's exactly what I'm planning."
While Maclean enters this contest riding momentum from a swift first-round knockout at BFL 56 in July, Bard has spent four and a half years away from the Octagon entirely.
Competing out of Aldergrove, B.C., Maclean acknowledged that pitting himself against a fighter returning after such an extended absence introduces considerable uncertainty.
"When someone's been out for four years, you can't tell whether they've been training through it or just taking a long break," Maclean explained.
"Watching old fight tapes doesn't carry much weight for this matchup because a lot can shift in four years. Sure, you can spot natural tendencies and patterns, but I'm not spending excessive time breaking him down."
On top of holding the fresher body, every one of Maclean's four professional victories has ended via stoppage before the third round.
Maclean said he can't picture Bard lasting the distance after such a long layoff, and he's anticipating another finish along with the championship gold.
"I thrive on applying constant pressure, and at 135 pounds not many fighters match my power," Maclean said.
"If I stick to the game plan and connect, the finish is inevitable—no matter how it comes."
A Long Journey Back
Even though Bard, 31, hasn't stepped between the ropes since May 2014, this opportunity has occupied his thoughts the entire time.
He admitted he lacked the proper mental headspace for his recent bouts and chose to undertake a complete psychological overhaul to arrive at peak form for Nov. 30.
"I pulled away, shut everything down, dropped off social media, and rebuilt my life around one singular goal: making my return," Bard shared during an interview.
"With this comeback being a title shot, it feels like everything is finally clicking into place. I honestly can't believe it's unfolding like this."
At his home gym, Champions Creed, Bard has enjoyed access to an impressive roster of elite sparring partners fueling his resurgence, including UFC competitor Hakeem Dawodu.
Bard, representing Calgary, Alta., described training alongside and learning from someone as driven and devoted as Dawodu as a tremendous advantage.
"I fit in as much work with Dawodu as possible," Bard said.
"I understand the value of having him nearby, and his work ethic alone demands constant effort—it's nearly impossible to match."
While his career record might not grab headlines, Bard's final three bouts came against Justin Nanaquawetung, Jesse Arnett, and Sabah Fadai—a trio boasting a combined 31-15 mark. He maintained that his defeats to them weren't due to physical shortcomings, but rather mental lapses.
Though Bard conceded he hadn't approached a championship bout with the right mindset until recently, he insisted he's been physically prepared for quite some time.
"The past several years have involved serious mental conditioning, bringing myself up to reality," Bard stated.
"I've believed for a while now that I've been ready—not just mentally, but physically—for a title shot. I genuinely feel this fight is my moment to emerge."
Maclean's Acknowledgments
"I want to thank my sponsors Supplement King Chilliwack and Revolution Martial Arts. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram under Craig Maclean MMA and visit my website www.craigmacleanmma.net.
Bard's Acknowledgments
"I'd like to thank Lens Professional and Champions Creed."
