After a quiet 2020, Melissa Croden is setting her sights on making 2021 the most transformative year of her fighting career.
The Canadian fighter, whose professional record stands at 2-0, opens the calendar year on Friday at Titan FC 67 against Brazilian opponent Evelyn Martins (1-0) in a women's bantamweight matchup held in Miami, Florida.
Before locking in this bout, the 29-year-old Croden brought on Ruby Sports and Entertainment to handle her management, aiming to accelerate her climb through the ranks.
The move has already paid dividends, positioning her within striking distance of the sport's biggest stage.
"Once I sat down with my manager and discussed where I'm at professionally, we agreed on a two-fight timeline before I either receive a UFC call-up or land on the Contender Series," Croden told MMA Empire.
"My manager has all the connections needed to make that happen, and that's precisely what I'm training toward."
Croden's previous appearance inside the cage came last January, when she earned a second-round TKO against Elizabeth Schroder at Fight Night 12.
Beyond the significance of the victory itself, Croden noted the bout served as a valuable lesson about staying hungry and constantly refining her craft.
"Coming off my second professional fight, it's all about riding this momentum and recognizing that the competition isn't going to get any softer from here, so respect has to remain constant for every single opponent," Croden explained.
"Many fighters make the error of believing they've reached their ceiling, when in reality there's still so much room to grow—you just have to keep pushing forward."
With lockdown restrictions still limiting gym access across most of Canada, Croden relocated her camp to Las Vegas to train alongside the accomplished roster at Syndicate MMA.
The Canadian completed a demanding six-week stint at the facility and reports feeling stronger than ever as Friday night approaches.
"The training partners were fantastic because the gym has such a formidable women's division—I'd estimate I only sparred with one male fighter during my entire stay, which is incredibly unusual," Croden shared.
"Their female roster is building serious momentum, attracting more women to the gym, making it an excellent resource for female MMA athletes. I assisted JoJo with her preparation, lent a hand to Roxy, and worked with Emily Whitmire as well. Everyone was welcoming and the coaching staff is top-notch."
Across seven bouts spanning professional and amateur competition, Croden has never seen a judges' decision—she has finished every single opponent via knockout or TKO.
Naturally, Croden anticipates holding a clear edge on the feet against Martins and is eager to showcase her striking prowess once again.
"Expect my signature style, just with a new layer of refinement. After stepping into the cage several times and building on a fairly solid amateur background, I'm finding myself feeling more comfortable early in the rounds—I can flow and operate more freely now," said Croden.
"Every camp brings evolution, and it's rewarding to watch that progression build momentum."
Croden's Shoutouts
"I want to extend my gratitude to my head coach Dan Miller. He's been by my side from day one, pouring everything he has into developing me as a fighter. He shaped me from scratch and will remain my coach for life. I also owe thanks to all my training partners back home, Grace Dobie, and the entire women's squad at Syndicate MMA." Follow Croden on social media: FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM
