BTC 13 featured the quarterfinals of the BTC $10k bantamweight tournament alongside the highly anticipated return of Sarah Kaufman to competition. The event delivered several standout performances that set the stage for intriguing future matchups.
Please note that the pairings outlined below are speculative in nature and haven't been officially confirmed or reported, except where stated.
We'd love to hear your input on which fighters should face off next and who you'd pick to win our proposed bout scenarios.
Sarah Kaufman (22-5) vs. U.S.A opponent
Kaufman's comeback performance couldn't have gone much better, as she stopped Jessy Miele by TKO in round one. Securing an opponent for Kaufman has proven extremely difficult recently, particularly since no Canadian fighters seem to match her level. She's reportedly slated to compete with a new Canadian women's MMA promotion called Pallas Athena WFC, and a seasoned American competitor would make for a compelling matchup.
Xavier Nash (6-4) vs. Matt Speciale (4-0)
Nash extended his hot streak at BTC 13 with a decision victory over Thomas Glot, an unbeaten French prospect. Nash has now captured three consecutive wins, and finding worthy opposition may become increasingly difficult given how his abilities stack up against his official record. A clash with Speciale would offer Nash a chance to disrupt another rising prospect's momentum, while giving Speciale valuable experience against higher-caliber competition.
Gabe Sagman (7-4) vs. James Clarke (6-3)
Sagman leaned on his powerful wrestling foundation to dominate Matt Dawson en route to victory. Since Clarke currently holds the BTC flyweight championship and the division features limited depth, positioning Sagman as the next title challenger for Clarke fits logically—assuming Clarke hasn't signed an exclusive deal with B2 Fighting Series.
Teshay Gouthro (4-1) vs. Mateo Vogel (5-2)
Barring a single setback during his LFA debut, Gouthro has appeared nearly untouchable throughout his pro career so far, a trend that continued with his third-round TKO victory over Kristian Bouchard. Gouthro will probably need to climb the competitive ladder again at his next appearance, and a bout with Vogel would deliver an exciting contest between two promising bantamweight talents.
Izzudeen Atmeh (2-1) vs. Vinny Dias (2-0)
When most people think of Atmeh, they picture a crisp, methodical striker—but he surprised everyone in the BTC bantamweight tournament quarterfinals by turning to jiu-jitsu and submitting Nate Small in just the opening round. There's no guessing game left to solve: Atmeh is set to clash with Dias in the semifinals sometime in early 2022. Should both Atmeh brothers advance through their respective semifinal matchups, fans could be treated to a showdown between the two.
Ariel Zuniga (2-1) vs. Albaraa Atmeh (2-0)
Zuniga went down the first two rounds against Harley King, so he had to find a finish in the third—and he did, tapping out his opponent with a guillotine choke. That victory sends him forward in the BTC bantamweight tournament, where he'll now run into Atmeh in the semifinals.
Vinny Dias (2-0) vs. Izzudeen Atmeh (2-1)
Dias put on a strong showing with his second-round submission win over Mauricio Alejandro Sosa in the quarterfinals. Now the talented striker Atmeh stands in his way at the BTC $10k bantamweight tournament semifinals.
Albaraa Atmeh (2-0) vs. Ariel Zuniga (2-1)
While known as a sharp striker, Atmeh took the fight to the mat for this one, landing ground-and-pound to secure a first-round decision over Seth Connor—a clear sign of the groundwork he's been drilling. He'll take on Zuniga in the BTC $10k bantamweight tournament semifinals.
Cody Chovancek (1-0) vs. Forrest Ayers (0-1)
Chovancek made his professional debut without a single flaw, taking down Josh Martiniuk with a second-round TKO. Training under Niagara Top Team is clearly sharpening his edge, making him a difficult opponent for anyone in his division. Facing the grappling-focused Ayers would make for a compelling matchup.
Binaebi Otoru (1-2) vs. Matt Dawson (2-2)
Otoru showed marked improvement this time around, capturing his first career professional victory. With Otoru aiming to keep his momentum going and Dawson searching to get back to the win column, these two should cross paths next.
