BFL 66 wrapped up this past weekend in Vancouver, British Columbia. After a full calendar year without Canadian MMA action, the province delivered two events within recent weeks. The BFL 66 card featured a strong showing of emerging talent and promising newcomers, including several highly anticipated professional debuts alongside multiple championship defences.
Keep in mind, in most cases, the matchups listed here are hypothetical and have not been announced or rumoured to be taking place, unless otherwise noted.
Share your opinions on who deserves the next opportunity for the top winners and the rest of the card, and let us know who you'd pick to come out on top in our hypothetical matchups.
Achilles Estremadura (7-0) vs. Dana White's Contender Series bout
Estremadura originally secured a spot on Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS) earlier this year, but the pandemic disrupted those plans entirely. With another victory now added to his record, his case grows even stronger and positions him for another opportunity, assuming the UFC can resolve current travel restrictions. Should Canadian fighters continue facing difficulties leaving the country for DWCS, the promotion could still arrange a late notice replacement appearance for Estremadura. Regardless, he has undeniably earned his moment.
Caio Machado (4-1-1) vs. Christian Larsen (5-1)
Tanner Boser, Dustin Joynson, and Arjan Bhullar have all signed with major promotions, leaving the Unified MMA heavyweight champion, Larsen, as the sole remaining Canadian matchup option for Machado. Still, reaching the UFC at 4-1-1 remains very much possible, particularly in the heavyweight division. Machado might require one additional impressive victory before securing his contract, though. A champion-versus-champion clash against Larsen would almost certainly produce a victor ready for a call-up to the UFC. It would be excellent to see BFL and Unified collaborate on bringing this fight to life on either organization's card.
Dario Sinagoga (4-0) vs. Zack Powell (4-0)
Sinagoga claimed the biggest victory of his career so far with an upset over Craig Shintani, potentially earning him a lightweight title opportunity. With Estremadura likely heading toward DWCS, however, that title shot may get postponed in favor of a bout against fellow undefeated prospect Powell. This matchup practically writes itself, as both Sinagoga and Powell traded messages on social media throughout the week. It would be a thrilling contest and an ideal proving ground for both competitors.
Kyran Cameron (5-0) vs. Kolton Menzak (7-5)
Cameron delivered one of the finest wins of his career, stopping Keanan Kellar in the opening round. Of his five victories, the toughest competition he's encountered so far comes from fighters with just three pro bouts under their belts. Now it's time to push him against a seasoned veteran. Since Menzak resides in Alberta, booking him on a BFL card might prove difficult, but he'd serve as an ideal benchmark for Cameron to measure himself against.
Ali Wasuk (4-1) vs. Justin Basra (5-0)
Wasuk secured his fourth straight victory, dispatching a grizzled veteran named Maclean on Friday evening. He's certainly carved out his case for a title shot on the BFL bantamweight belt and would likely relish a serious challenge in his next appearance. Basra has been sidelined for some time, though reports suggest he's nearing his return to the cage and would rank among the elite bantaweights in Canada at bantamweight. He remains undefeated across both his professional and amateur campaigns, and pairing these two would deliver a top-tier showdown with a champion who truly deserves the honor.
Gerico Platon (1-0) vs. Nick Ghaeni (3-4)
Platon is another amateur talent who made the jump to the pros and collected a swift, eye-catching finish in his first outing. He ended Nicholson's run in under thirty seconds and now needs a harder hurdle before his second professional appearance. A clash between the gifted striker Platon and the formidable wrestler Ghaeni promises excitement and could vault the victor up the rankings.
Ivan Hryshchuk (1-0) vs. Gordon Cunningham (3-0 amateur)
Hryshchuk dismantled a seventeen-fight vet in less than forty seconds during his professional debut. What's the right move for a fighter like that going forward? It'll be challenging to secure suitable opposition for Hryshchuk until he has a few more fights behind him, but Cunningham has been outspoken on social media about seeking a matchup against him. Finding enough quality opponents for Hryshchuk is no small task, so taking advantage of an available option makes sense, and Cunningham would deliver a serious challenge.
Indroop Virk (1-0) vs. Howie Tan (2-1)
Virk was one of the promising amateurs who transitioned to the pros this past weekend and delivered a commanding three-round performance. With a handful of solid wins under his belt, Virk could rapidly climb the flyweight standings and position himself for major bouts. Tan has a track record of finishes, and if Virk can absorb the pressure and knock off the once-beaten prospect, it would be a massive statement for his fledgling professional career.
