Saskatchewan's Ryan Rohovich (4-4) is making the trek from the Prairies to the Maritimes, where he'll step into the cage with Moncton's Shawn Wallace (8-2) headlining Fight League Atlantic's inaugural card, FLA 1, on Saturday evening in Truro, Nova Scotia.
Wallace, a seasoned fixture in the Atlantic Canada MMA circuit and currently sitting at No. 19 in Tapology's lightweight Canadian rankings, is chasing a two-fight winning streak following his unanimous decision triumph over previously unbeaten Dee Logue nearly a year back.
The 30-year-old holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has always trusted his grappling prowess, yet his arsenal reaches far past the gi.
"Grappling has always been my greatest weapon," Wallace told MMA Empire in a recent interview.
"Since I first stepped into the sport, I've gained a deeper understanding of fighting as a whole and how to blend different tools together. Blending my striking with my ground game and erasing the boundaries between them has been one of my most significant developments, alongside learning how to keep my composure, select my openings wisely, and shed the nerves that used to grip me on fight night."
Meanwhile, Rohovich, 32, is searching for redemption after a challenging defeat at BFL 55.
A purple belt in BJJ who also considers his ground game his strongest suit, Rohovich is continuously working to sharpen every dimension of his fighting. He says he's fully prepared to confront one of his most demanding challenges when Saturday night arrives.
"I'm significantly sharper now and in much better physical condition. My techniques have evolved and I'm constantly absorbing new knowledge," Rohovich shared during an interview with MMA Empire.
"I know he's going to present a serious threat; it's going to be a real test. He's a complete fighter and I'm eager to measure my abilities against someone at that caliber. In his most recent outing he threw heavily, which tells me he's a striker as well, so I just need to be prepared for whatever he brings to the table."
Wallace Expecting Tough Test
With 10 professional bouts under his belt, Wallace has never treated any opponent as an easy task.
On facing Rohovich specifically, Wallace said he's ready for anything.
"I don't know him all that well. He appears well-rounded enough and I believe he's absolutely coming to fight," Wallace noted.
"He doesn't seem afraid to engage. With a 4-4 record, he doesn't have much to lose. I expect him to carry a go-for-broke mindset and attempt to steal some of my momentum."
For Rohovich, one of the most significant adjustments he made heading into Saturday night took place away from training. It's a dietary overhaul for the Prairie native who grew up eating practically anything.
"I'm fully vegan now. I never imagined myself becoming a vegetarian, much less a vegan, because I was always a meat person. I used to believe I needed meat just to feel satisfied," Rohovich explained.
“Training camp has gone well; I’ve been putting in a ton of effort. My dietary adjustments have actually paid off, so I’m really looking forward to this bout.”
Rohovich is preparing to compete regardless of venue, though he suspects Wallace—a BJJ brown belt—might attempt to drag the contest to the ground.
“Honestly, I expect him to look for takedowns,” Rohovich noted.
“He’ll probably feel me out early, and I’m planning to land a clean strike—whether a kick or a punch. After that, he’ll likely shift to trying to take me down.”
For Wallace, however, the strategy leans less toward pursuing takedowns and more toward neutralizing his opponent.
“I’m going to draw out his errors and punish them,” Wallace explained.
“It doesn’t matter if he leaves his neck exposed on the mat or his chin open while standing—I’ll capitalize either way. I’m not sure what he’ll do, but I intend to dictate the pace and force him to react to me rather than the other way around.”
Wallace already boasts an impressive record, and he believes he can generate even greater momentum this year.
Every fighter dreams of headlining a major event, but Wallace is among the handful with a genuine path—if he strings together several significant victories.
“Ideally, I’ll stay healthy through this bout and stay active throughout 2020. I’ve only competed once per year recently, which isn’t sustainable if I truly want to position myself for a larger platform,” Wallace stated.
“I’m open to any major opportunity to challenge myself. I can’t remain stuck on the regional circuit indefinitely. If I keep delivering wins, the bigger opportunity will find me.”
For Wallace and Rohovich, their paths converge this Saturday as the headliner of Fight League Atlantic’s inaugural card. It’s an East versus West showdown, and Wallace anticipates strong regional support.
“FLA is only a couple hours from where I spent my formative years, so I’m confident some supporters will make the trip,” Wallace said.
“My previous outing drew a lot of attention across the Maritimes, so I believe local fans are eager to watch me step into the cage.”
Wallace’s Shoutouts
“Everyone at Wulfrun MMA” Follow Wallace on social media: FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM
Rohovich’s Shoutouts
“My family and everyone at LDP Martial Arts.” Follow Rohovich on social media: FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM
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