An unforgettable night awaits.
Edmonton's Christian Larsen (5-1) aims to make his first successful defense of the Unified MMA heavyweight title when Grayson Wells (5-3) travels down from Abbotsford, B.C., to challenge for the crown in the headline bout of Unified MMA 40 on Saturday evening in Edmonton, Alta.
While Larsen already holds the undisputed heavyweight championship, the 32-year-old believes putting his belt on the line is what separates real champions from pretenders.
"There's an old saying that you haven't truly earned the title until you've defended it," Larsen told MMA Empire.
"This will prove that my reign isn't some accident—I've earned this position, and I intend to keep showing everyone that."
The 41-year-old Wells is chasing his first shot at Unified MMA gold. He previously held the Havoc FC heavyweight championship back in 2016 before dropping the strap to Dustin Joynson at Havoc FC 12 the following year.
Wells opened up about the rough patch he endured after losing his Havoc FC belt, noting that personal struggles were weighing heavily on him at the time. Capturing another championship on Saturday would represent a powerful comeback story.
"I went through a stretch where everything in my life fell apart. Around the time of that Dustin fight, things took a turn for the worse, and I've been climbing back ever since," Wells shared with MMA Empire. "I feel like I'm finally reaching that same level I was at when I held the title."
"It would feel like redemption—to prove to myself and everyone else that even when you hit absolute rock bottom, there's always a path forward and a route back to championship-calibre competition."
Larsen Eyes Canadian Domination
Riding a three-fight winning streak and boasting a 5-1 heavyweight record, Larsen is steadily rising through the heavyweight rankings and catching the attention of major international promotions.
His ultimate ambition? Fighting at the sport's pinnacle. But first, he wants to establish himself across Canada.
"I'm starting to see myself climbing in international rankings, and people are beginning to take notice," Larsen explained.
"That said, I need to handle business in Canada before I look elsewhere. There are plenty of domestic fighters who still believe they can take my belt, so I'll deal with them and then pursue the next big opportunity."
Larsen competes out of Shaved Bears MMA, one of the fastest-growing elite camps in the sport.
He emphasized that the quality of training partners and coaching staff available to him puts him at a considerable advantage heading into fight night.
"No one gets the opportunity to train alongside fighters of the calibre I'm fortunate enough to work with every day. We're one of the top gyms in the country, and I'm incredibly grateful to share that space with them," Larsen said.
"Jeff Montemurro and Keijiro Noda are among the finest coaches you could ask for, and the training plans they develop for us give us a massive competitive edge."
Wells at Peak Condition
Neither fighter has seen their bout reach the judges' scorecards in their respective careers. However, the championship stakes on Saturday mean the contest could stretch the full five rounds.
Wells believes his conditioning gives him an edge if he can survive the opening rounds and push into the later stages of the fight.
"My fitness is in the best shape I've ever been in, and I genuinely feel I have a slight reach advantage over him," Wells noted.
"If I can keep my distance and execute my game plan, I'll take my chances."
This marks Wells' fourth main event appearance across just nine professional bouts—a spotlight he's grown comfortable commanding.
While he'd love to depart Edmonton as champion, Wells emphasized his commitment to delivering an exciting performance for the crowd, no matter the outcome.
"Ultimately, I want both of us to put on a thrilling fight for the audience. They're the ones buying tickets, and that's why we step in the cage. I want to give them their money's worth," Wells said.
"Whoever walks away with the win—that's how it goes. As long as I deliver a great performance, I'm happy with whatever happens."
Larsen's Shoutouts
"I'd like to thank my sponsors (Excel Athletics, Three Monkeys Tattoo & Lifestyle Apparel), and Jeff Montemurro, Keijiro Noda and all my training partners for getting me ready for the fight." FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM
Wells' Shoutouts
"I just want to thank all the fans and all the people who continue to support me on this journey." FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM
