BFL 67 took place this past weekend in Vancouver, B.C. It was their second event since the start of the pandemic and their second that was streamed live on UFC Fight Pass.
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.
Let us know your thoughts on who should be next for the big winners and the rest of the card, and who you think would win our hypothetical matchups.
Caio Machado (5-1-1) vs. Dana White’s Contender Series bout
Machado has officially cleaned out the local Canadian heavyweight scene with his first round finish over Unified heavyweight champ Christian Larsen. It only makes sense to give Machado a chance to earn that coveted UFC contract. With the next season of Dana White’s Contender Series right around the corner and the UFC always searching for heavyweight talent, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Machado’s next outing take place at the Apex in Vegas.
Dejan Kajic (13-7-2) vs. Scott Hudson (12-5-1)
After finding mixed results early in his career, Kajic is on a tear over the last three years with five straight finishes and titles in three weight classes. Kajic has clawed his way up the welterweight ladder and has earned a shot at some of the top guys in the division. One name that stands out is Scott Hudson, who is also on a five-fight win streak and would be a tough test for the BFL mainstay.
Dario Sinagoga (5-0) vs. Zackery Powell (4-1)
This one definitely has some unfinished business and needs to be resolved. Their bout on Friday night was supposed to be a lightweight title eliminator, however Sinagoga missed weight and was ineligible to earn that title shot and then was awarded a controversial decision leaving the whole rivalry in limbo. Sounds like both men are keen to run it back, so it just makes sense.
Ivan Hryshchuk (2-0) vs. Kennan Kellar (2-1)
Hryshchuk is making some noise in his young career. Despite being only 2-0 as a pro, it’s time for a bigger test. While Kellar is only 2-1 as a pro, he’s got a solid 5-1 record as an amateur and is unbeaten at middleweight. If Hryshchuk can pick up a victory over Kellar, he can cement his status as a legitimate threat at middleweight.
Justin Doege (3-2) vs. Jared Kilkenny (13-12)
Doege picked up his first win in over two years with a dominant decision on Friday night. The heavyweight division is wide open in Canada right now. With most of the top heavyweights signed or on the verge of breaking out in the major promotions, there’s tons of opportunity if Doege can stay active. Kilkenny was forced to withdraw from a planned matchup at BFL 66, so now is the time to re-schedule the bout.
Gio Platon (2-0) vs. Michael Hay (5-3)
Platon made it two quick finishes in 2021 with another impressive finish and is quickly moving up the ranks at bantamweight. A clash with an established veteran should be next to really gauge where he sits in the bantamweight picture. Hay has some solid big fight experience and would be a stiff test for Platon.
Nicolas Ouellet (1-0) vs. Austin Batra (0-1)
Ouellet put his elite jiu-jitsu game on display once again in his professional debut, forcing the tap of Kevin Popowick-Bastien with a triangle kimura. Batra has been on the shelf since Nov. 2019, having two fights fall through in that span. Batra would provide a much-needed stiff test for Ouellet, who will really have to work to get Batra to the mat and into his world.
Taylor Christopher (2-0) vs. Ali Wasuk (4-1)
After finishing his first two opponents in the pros with rear-naked chokes, Christopher has proven himself to have some solid potential at featherweight. Christopher put together an impressive 7-1 record as an amateur, losing only his debut against Wasuk. It’s time to run that one back and see if the improvements Christopher has made can carry him past the former adversary.
Jonathan Broad (1-0) vs. Daniel Richard (0-1)
BFL might have something special here in the youngster Broad who was able to put away a much more experienced Schellenberg in his professional debut. Richard hasn’t competed since June 2019, so is likely eager to step back in the cage and a matchup with Broad would be a good way for him to make his return.
Mike McAloon (4-2) vs. Josh Kwiatkowski (5-3)
McAloon rebounded from a loss to Michael Imperato with a hard-fought victory and late finish against a tough veteran in John Nguyen. McAloon needs a step back up in competition and Kwiatkowski, who just dropped a unanimous decision to Lucas Neufeld, needs to rebound so he doesn’t lose ground at featherweight.
Bryce Gougeon (1-2-1) vs. Stuart Deleurme (1-3-1)
Gougeon and Deleurme fought to a majority draw at BFL 66 in their rematch 10 years in the making. It’s hard to imagine either man feeling the score is truly settled with the draw result, so a trilogy to finally put things to bed seems like a realistic possibility in what was a highly-competitive matchup.
Jackie Maclean (1-0) vs. Megan Owen (1-0)
Maclean avenged her lone amateur loss to Maria Demers with a first round rear-naked choke in the rematch in her professional debut. Opponents may be hard to come by for Maclean in the professional ranks, but BFL showed a willingness at BFL 67 to bring in fighters from Eastern Canada, so a matchup with Owen would be a good test for both early in their careers.
