The headliner has earned its place for good reason.
Coquitlam's Dejan Kajic (12-7-2, 1 NC) aims to retain his BFL 175-pound title in his second defense as he takes on Gatineau's rapidly ascending prospect Julien Leblanc (5-1) at BFL 65 on Saturday evening.
Kajic, 35, arrives following his inaugural title defense at BFL 63, where he secured a first-round knockout over Ricardo Centeno in spectacular fashion.
Despite successfully retaining the belt for the first time, Kajic revealed his primary lesson from that bout was realizing he's ready to compete on a larger stage.
"It simply confirmed that I belong at the major cards, and that I possess some of the sharpest striking when it comes to reading opponents, processing information, and laying traps," Kajic told MMA Empire.
"It reinforces that I'm surrounded by the right team, making the right decisions, and hopefully fortune will smile on me soon."
For Leblanc, 28, Kajic stands as the most formidable opponent he has faced throughout his brief career.
Aware that Kajic has attracted attention from the sport's leading promotions, Leblanc noted that defeating someone of Kajic's caliber could unlock numerous opportunities moving forward.
"It would definitely boost me back into the upper tier of the rankings. At the moment, I'm focusing on one fight at a time because I refuse to look past the massive challenge in front of me," Leblanc told MMA Empire.
"Beating this guy will absolutely open doors. I've got nothing to lose and everything to win. That's how I view it."
The Moment Has Arrived for Kajic
Stepping into Saturday's main event with a four-bout winning streak, Kajic ranks among Canada's most dominant welterweights right now.
His recent performances have drawn attention from several major promotions, including the UFC.
Whether a victory over Leblanc secures him a contract with one of those organizations, Kajic indicated this fight might very well be his final regional appearance.
"I understand where a victory should land me; it should land me in the UFC, Bellator, or ONE FC. But I've always maintained that the better fighter doesn't always come out on top, and you don't always receive what you've earned," Kajic said.
"In all honesty, if I don't sign a deal, this will likely be my last local bout. I'm unsure what more I need to prove. I'd be sitting on a five-fight win streak, and my recent fights aren't just finishes—they're highlight reel material."
With three of his last four bouts ending in quick first-round finishes, it's been quite a while since Kajic fought through a lengthy, punishing match.
Kajic explained that with each bout passing without one of those grueling five-round or three-round battles, the likelihood of the next one becoming a war only grows. And that's precisely what he's training for against Leblanc.
"Something that always gives me pause is that every time you fight and it ends quickly, the odds of that happening again continue dropping," Kajic said.
"With every fight now, I'm preparing even harder, thinking this is the one that will turn into a battle. I've been putting in serious conditioning work and training specifically for this matchup, and I'm ready for the deep end."
A Fresh Start for Leblanc
2019 proved to be a difficult and frustrating year for Leblanc, as three fights slipped away, leaving him without a bout for the entire calendar year.
He expressed his desire to begin 2020 on a strong note and hopes to stay as busy as possible to compensate for the missed time.
"Last year was genuinely frustrating, but this is a fresh chapter. I have an opportunity to start the year properly," Leblanc said.
"Everything that transpired shaped me into who I am today. Every experience occurs for a purpose."
Leblanc's most recent cage appearance was a unanimous decision loss to Damien Lapilus at TKO 44 in September 2018, marking his first defeat as either a professional or amateur fighter.
Entering that bout, Leblanc admitted he was spread across too many commitments, attempting to assist other fighters through their training camps while simultaneously managing his own preparation.
Moving forward, Leblanc said that defeat taught him to dedicate 100 percent of his focus to himself during training camp.
"I truly learned that in this sport you have to be selfish," Leblanc said.
"You need to prioritize yourself and take the breaks you require when needed. This time, I got it right."
Follow Kajic on social media: FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM
Leblanc's Acknowledgments
"I'd like to thank my coaches Patrick and Martin, all my sponsors, everyone who has supported me, my family, and everyone who has stuck with me through the highs and lows." Follow Leblanc on social media: FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM
