Last June, Kyran Cameron (5-1) fought for his first professional title, the BFL welterweight championship, against Dejan Kajic. And while things didn’t go his way in that bout, Cameron has a second chance at putting gold around his waist as he will move down to 155 pounds and fight Dario Sinagoga (5-0) for the BFL interim lightweight championship at BFL 71 on March 10.
The move to lightweight represents a strategic shift in Cameron's career trajectory. After careful analysis of his recent performances and physical attributes, the decision was made in consultation with his coaching staff at Niagara Top Team. The welterweight division had presented unique challenges, particularly as Cameron found himself facing larger opponents who had previously competed at middleweight.
Cameron has never fought at lightweight before, but he said his coaches feel this is a good move for him.
“After the last fight I was talking with my coaches about my future and we felt that it would be better suited to make a run at lightweight. I wasn’t cutting much weight to get down to welterweight and my last three opponents were all previous middleweights that had dropped to welterweight,” said Cameron in an interview with MMA Empire.
“We just found, with my frame, it just made more sense to go down to lightweight and I want to be competitive with the best in the world. I see myself in that higher tier of UFC and I want to be ready and go toe-to-toe with the best.”
The weight cut to 155 pounds is expected to give Cameron a size and strength advantage he hasn't experienced in recent fights. His natural frame and body composition make the lightweight division an ideal fit, potentially allowing him to compete against opponents more closely matched to his physical dimensions. This strategic repositioning could prove crucial as Cameron continues his pursuit of elite-level competition.
Not only will Cameron have the opportunity to win a title in his lightweight debut, he will also have the chance to avenge the controversial loss of his teammate, Zack Powell, to Sinagoga at BFL 67.
The narrative surrounding this matchup extends beyond personal ambition. Cameron's connection to Powell, who trains alongside him at Niagara Top Team, adds an emotional dimension to the contest. The disputed decision in Powell's fight with Sinagoga left many in the MMA community questioning the outcome, and Cameron now carries the weight of team redemption into the cage.
Interim title and redemption aside, Cameron said he’s expecting a tough challenge from Sinagoga on Thursday night.
“I’ve seen a couple of his fights. He did previously fight Zack Powell, who is one of my teammates at Niagara Top Team, so I saw 15 minutes of their fight. It was a very controversial decision as a lot of people felt that way, including myself,” said Cameron.
“He (Singagoga) did share the same card with me when I fought Keanan Kellar. He’s been around; I wasn’t really focused on him as I wasn’t at lightweight, but now it’s our time to dance. From what I’ve seen from his fights he likes to fight. He’s a scrappy guy. The one thing that would impress me is that he is game, he is down to fight, so that excites me.”
Sinagoga enters the bout with an unblemished 5-0 record, demonstrating consistent performance across multiple opponents. His willingness to engage and aggressive fighting style has earned him recognition within the BFL organization. The undefeated fighter represents a significant test for Cameron's lightweight debut, particularly given the championship stakes involved.
Cameron's preparation for this fight has focused on adapting to the new weight class while maintaining his technical skills and conditioning. The team at Niagara Top Team has implemented a comprehensive training camp designed to optimize Cameron's performance at 155 pounds. His coaching staff believes that the weight reduction will enhance his speed and endurance without compromising his power or technical abilities.
The interim lightweight championship represents more than just a title opportunity for Cameron. It serves as validation of his decision to move weight classes and positions him for potential future matchups against the division's top contenders. A victory would establish Cameron as a legitimate force in the BFL lightweight division and potentially open doors to higher-level competition.
As March 10 approaches, Cameron remains focused on the task ahead. His combination of experience, technical skill, and renewed confidence in competing at his optimal weight class makes this matchup particularly intriguing. The opportunity to capture gold in his lightweight debut while simultaneously avenging his teammate's controversial loss provides powerful motivation heading into fight night.
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