Rise FC 6 happened this past weekend in Victoria, British Columbia — marking the first professional MMA event held on Canadian soil since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The main event featured Elias Theodorou, who delivered one of the standout performances of his career with a third-round TKO victory against Matt Dwyer. The co-main event saw Josh Kwiatkowski extend his winning streak to four consecutive bouts by stopping Blake Sigvaldason in the opening round. The opening fight belonged to Russ McCumber, who made his professional debut unforgettable by securing a second-round TKO via doctor stoppage over Isaiah Metituk in a blood-soaked battle.
For clarity, the matchups outlined below are largely speculative and haven't been officially announced or linked to any rumors, unless specifically indicated.
We'd love to hear your opinions on who should face off next against the night's biggest winners and other card participants, and which opponents you'd pick in our imagined scenarios.
Elias Theodorou (18-3) vs. Austin Vanderford (10-0)
With back-to-back stoppage wins since leaving the UFC, it's difficult to envision Theodorou competing on the regional circuit moving forward. Numerous major organizations may be interested in adding him to their roster, with Bellator leading the pack. Given his 8-3 mark throughout his UFC stint, Theodorou wouldn't need a gradual reintroduction to competition. An encounter with the unbeaten Vanderford would serve as a sensible bout for both athletes should Theodorou land with Bellator.
Josh Kwiatkowski (5-2) vs. Lucas Neufeld (5-1)
This one needs little explanation. Kwiatkowski and Neufeld rank among Canada's swiftest-climbing featherweight talents, and both have been openly vocal about their desire to clash next. It appears this bout is virtually locked in — the remaining question centers on which promotion will step up to organize it. Perhaps with a featherweight championship belt at stake?
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Russ McCumber (1–0) versus Taylor Christopher (1–0)
This past weekend marked McCumber’s professional debut, and it was about as favorable a start as a newcomer could hope for. Christopher experienced a similar stroke of luck when he stepped into the cage for his pro debut at BFL 64 back in November 2019. Each athlete carries deep roots from extensive amateur campaigns and holds genuine promise to build a strong reputation as their careers unfold. Given that both men call British Columbia home, this bout looks like a fitting addition to elevate any upcoming Rise FC or BFL event.
