BTC 10 took place this past weekend in Vancouver, B.C. and was the promotion’s first event since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Normally an Ontario-based promotion, BTC Fight Promotions brought their show out west for the first time and is planning another event in Edmonton, Alta. in August.
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.
Lucas Neufeld (6-1) vs. Dana White’s Contender Series opponent
In what was being billed as one of the best featherweight fights to make in Canada, Neufeld came out on top with a unanimous decision over Josh Kwiatkowski. With this season of Dana White’s Contender Series set to kick off in September, the timeline couldn’t be better for Neufeld to have a crack on the show. Additionally, Neufeld is represented by Iridium Sports Agency, who have been sending a lot of their fighters to the UFC and Contender Series as of late.
Xavier Nash (5-4) vs. Kolton Menzak (7-5)
Nash earned a dominant unanimous decision win over a tough Jake Macdonald, which also marked his second win in a row. Nash has already expressed interest in competing on BTC’s card in August in Edmonton, which could mean another opponent from Western Canada is in the cards. Menzak hasn’t competed since Sept. 2019, but is also coming off an impressive victory in his own right. Menzak would provide a good test for Nash in his quest for three wins in a row.
Dorian Dokaj (1-0) vs. Colton Cronkite (3-0)
After a 7-0 amateur, Dokaj picked up right where he left off in his pro debut with a dominant unanimous decision win over Geran Buckner. Cronkite would be a significant step up in competition for Dokaj in just his second professional fight, but with his lengthy and impressive amateur career, he’s proven he doesn’t need to take the slow track in his professional career.
Nick Leblanc (1-0) vs. Abderrahmane Haddad (0-1)
Leblanc was handed a tough grappler in Forrest Ayers for his debut, but passed the test with flying colours. Haddad was presented a similar test for his debut, but came up short. With both Leblanc and Haddad being fantastic kickboxers, this matchup would have fight of the night written all over it. Whether it’s the BTC 11 card or Unified MMA 40 card in Edmonton, this would be a welcome addition to either event.
Maria Djukic (1-0) vs. Melissa Croden (2-1)
Aside from the weight miss, Djukic looked near flawless in her professional debut, taking a unanimous decision over Jo Maissoneuve. If Djukic decides to make the jump up to bantamweight, a matchup with Croden would be looming at some point in the near future due to a scarcity of available opponents at the weight. As far as the matchup goes, we could be in for a real treat between two talented strikers looking to make their way to the big leagues.
Jake Geauvreau (1-0) vs. Noah Crosswell (0-1)
In the classic striker vs. grappler affair, Geauvreau locked down a late submission win over Izzudeen Atmeh to emerge victorious in his professional debut. At just 19 years old, the sky’s the limit from Geauvreau moving forward, but there certainly doesn’t seem to be a need to rush things with him. A matchup with an older and more experienced Crosswell could be a perfect test for Geauvreau at this stage of his career.
Konstantin Gaivoronskii (0-0-1) vs. Luke Roberts (0-0-1)
Gaivoronskii and Roberts fought to a majority draw last weekend, which likely won’t sit well with either fighter. It makes sense to let them run it back in what was a highly-entertaining matchup between a talented striker in Gaivoronskii and an elite grappler in Roberts.
Isaiah Metituk (1-1) vs. Harley King (1-0)
Metituk used a sound ground game to lock in a second round submission win and his first victory as a professional. His bout with Broderick Rene was contested at featherweight, but Metituk has stated he’s looking to make the drop to bantamweight going forward. A matchup with King would be a perfect next bout for both fighters and a welcome addition to the prelims of either Unified MMA 40 or BTC 11 in August.
Tyler VanKill (1-0) vs. Cole Campbell (3-3)
VanKill might be the best submission artist in Western Canada, and he put those skills on display once again in his professional debut with a first round submission via inverted arm triangle. He may only be 1-0 as a professional, but he has extensive experience in grappling tournaments to go along with his amateur career. Campbell may be a big step up in competition for his second professional fight, but he’s ready for it.
Derrick Laing (1-0) vs. James Foster (2-2-1)
After an impressive amateur career, Laing was equally impressive in his professional debut, submitting a tough Mac Laursen in the second round. Laing has displayed a well-rounded skillset so far in his professional and amateur career and Foster would present a good second test for him in the professional ranks.
Dylan McIlvenny (1-0) vs. Seth Connor (1-2)
McIlvenny came out on top with a unanimous decision victory in his professional debut over a tough Paul Fisher. He also showed his ability to battle through adversity as Fisher was putting it on him in the first round. Connor, who is a solid grappler, would provide a good second test for McIlvenny.
