BFL 70 delivered a compelling evening as Serhiy Sidey successfully defended his BFL bantamweight championship for the first time, setting the stage for Austin Russell to step into the spotlight as a potential new challenger.
Please note that the pairings discussed throughout are speculative in nature and haven't been officially confirmed or floated as rumors unless specifically stated.
We'd love to hear your predictions on which matchups make the most sense for the night's top performers, and which fighters you'd pick to come out on top in each scenario.
Serhiy Sidey (6-1) vs. Austin Russell (3-0)
Sidey continued his impressive run by defeating another rising prospect during his BFL bantamweight title defense, stopping Ali Wasuk via TKO in the fourth round. While there are plenty of worthy challengers available for Sidey going forward, Russell's position as co-main eventer suggests this matchup served as a de facto number one contender showdown.
Austin Russell (3-0) vs. Serhiy Sidey (6-1)
Despite navigating through a series of pre-fight and in-fight controversies, Russell managed to secure a decision victory over Gio Platon. Should this matchup indeed function as a number one contender bout, Russell now sits in position to challenge the reigning champion.
Bryce Gougeon (2-2-1) vs. Keanan Kellar (2-2)
Gougeon delivered a dominant performance, securing a first-round submission against Rafael Palomeque. While Gougeon has several strong options on the horizon, pitting him against Kellar would create a genuinely entertaining contest for spectators.
Jayden Martin (1-1) vs. Derrick Laing (1-0)
Martin's comeback from a significant injury couldn't have started more brilliantly, dispatching Chester Post in under 20 seconds. Securing quality opposition for Martin may prove challenging given that his skill level and experience far exceed what his record suggests. A bout against Laing would provide an excellent evaluation for both athletes while showcasing two promising talents on the rise.
Dylan Schellenberg (1-2) vs. Rafael Palomeque (2-4)
Schellenberg opened his pro campaign with a shock victory, taking down Christian Tremayne via submission in the opening round. The Canadian has been matched against formidable foes from the get-go, and that pattern seems unlikely to change anytime soon. Palomeque looks like the perfect candidate to put Schellenberg's grappling skills to the test.
Maxime Soucy (2-1) vs. Oguzhan Yalcin (1-0)
Soucy returned after more than three years away from the sport and didn't show any signs of ring rust, cruising to a unanimous decision over Makinde Adeyemi. Being a native of Quebec, it's still uncertain whether Soucy will return to compete in BFL. Should he do, a clash with Yalcin—the standout wrestler in the field—would be a logical next step.
Oguzhan Yalcin (1-0) vs. Maxime Soucy (2-1)
Yalcin carried his amateur momentum straight into his professional debut, leaning on a powerful wrestling foundation to secure victory. Now looking to raise the level of competition, Yalcin sees Soucy as an ideal proving ground for his skills.
