The latest installment of BTC 10 unfolded last weekend across Vancouver, British Columbia, marking the organization's return to action after the coronavirus outbreak forced a hiatus. Originally rooted in Ontario, BTC Fight Promotions took their show on the road to the West Coast for the very first time and have plans to stage another event in Edmonton, Alberta come August.
Before diving in, it's worth noting that the potential matchups outlined below are speculative in nature—they haven't been officially confirmed or even floated as rumors, unless stated otherwise.
We'd love to hear your predictions on who deserves the next opportunity for each of BTC 10's biggest winners and the rest of the card, along with your picks for how those imagined bouts might play out.
Lucas Neufeld (6-1) vs. Dana White's Contender Series opponent
In a bout touted as one of the finest featherweight clashes on Canadian soil, Neufeld secured a unanimous decision victory against Josh Kwiatkowski. With the upcoming Dana White's Contender Series season launching in September, timing is ideal for Neufeld to make his case for a UFC contract. Furthermore, Neufeld's representation comes through Iridium Sports Agency, a firm that has recently been channeling several of its athletes toward the UFC and the Contender Series.
Xavier Nash (5-4) vs. Kolton Menzak (7-5)
Nash collected a decisive unanimous decision over the resilient Jake Macdonald, extending his winning streak to two bouts. He's already voiced interest in returning to BTC's Edmonton card this August, which suggests another Western Canadian rival may soon be on the horizon. Menzak hasn't stepped into the cage since September 2019, yet he arrives fresh off a solid performance of his own. A clash with Menzak would serve as a worthy challenge for Nash as he looks to notch three consecutive victories.
Dorian Dokaj (1-0) vs. Colton Cronkite (3-0)
Building on an undefeated 7-0 amateur record, Dokaj carried that momentum straight into his professional debut, earning a commanding unanimous decision over Geran Buckner. Facing Cronkite—a notable jump in level for just his second pro outing—would test him considerably. Still, Dokaj's extensive and accomplished amateur background demonstrates he doesn't need to ease slowly into the professional ranks.
Nick Leblanc (1-0) vs. Abderrahmane Haddad (0-1)
Leblanc faced a challenging grappler in Forrest Ayers during his pro debut and handled him easily. Haddad got a comparable challenge in his own debut, but couldn't get past it. Both Leblanc and Haddad are excellent kickboxers, so this bout could easily earn fight of the night honors. Whether it lands on the BTC 11 card or the Unified MMA 40 card in Edmonton, this matchup would be a great fit for either show.
Maria Djukic (1-0) vs. Melissa Croden (2-1)
Besides the missed weight cut, Djukic delivered an almost perfect showing in her pro debut, earning a unanimous decision against Jo Maissoneuve. Should Djukic choose to move up to bantamweight, a clash with Croden is bound to happen sooner or later, especially with limited options available at that division. On paper, this could be a thrilling showdown between two skilled standup fighters aiming to reach the highest levels of the sport.
Jake Geauvreau (1-0) vs. Noah Crosswell (0-1)
In a classic striker versus grappler scenario, Geauvreau secured a late submission victory over Izzudeen Atmeh to win his professional debut. Only 19 years old, Geauvreau has tremendous upside ahead of him, though there's no rush to push his development too quickly. Taking on an older, more seasoned Crosswell right now could serve as an ideal measuring stick for Geauvreau at this point in his career.
Konstantin Gaivoronskii (0-0-1) vs. Luke Roberts (0-0-1)
Gaivoronskii and Roberts shared the verdict in a majority draw last weekend, a result that probably left both men unsatisfied. Giving them another shot at each other makes plenty of sense for what was a highly entertaining contest between Gaivoronskii's sharp striking and Roberts' elite grappling.
Isaiah Metituk (1-1) vs. Harley King (1-0)
Metituk leaned on his strong ground work to score a second-round submission and pick up his first pro win. His fight against Broderick Rene was booked at featherweight, but Metituk has mentioned he's interested in moving down to bantamweight in the future. Facing King would represent an ideal next step for both athletes and would be a solid addition to the preliminary card of either Unified MMA 40 or BTC 11 in August.
Tyler VanKill (1-0) vs. Cole Campbell (3-3)
VanKill might be Western Canada's premier submission specialist, and he showcased those abilities once more in his pro debut with a first-round submission using an inverted arm triangle. Though he's only 1-0 on his professional record, he brings plenty of grappling tournament experience alongside his amateur background. Campbell represents a significant jump in competition level for his second pro fight, but he's prepared to take it on.
Derrick Laing (1-0) vs. James Foster (2-2-1)
Following a strong amateur run, Laing carried that momentum into his professional debut, submitting Mac Laursen in the second round. So far, Laing has demonstrated a well-rounded approach to fighting in both his amateur and pro careers, and Foster would offer a solid second challenge in the professional ranks.
Dylan McIlvenny (1-0) vs. Seth Connor (1-2)
McIlvenny earned a unanimous decision in his pro debut against a tough Paul Fisher. He also proved he could handle adversity when Fisher dominated much of the first round. Connor, who is a capable grappler, would give McIlvenny a worthy second test.
