Alberta welcomed professional mixed martial arts back after an 18-month absence this past weekend. Unified MMA 40 served as one of two Edmonton shows crammed into under a full day, and it also represented the organization's very first appearance on UFC Fight Pass. Below, we break down the most compelling next matchups for every fighter who stepped onto the card.
A quick note: unless specifically indicated, the fights outlined below are purely speculative and haven't been officially confirmed or reported by reliable sources.
We'd love to hear your picks — tell us who deserves the next shot for the biggest winners and the rest of the card, and who you'd take in each imagined bout.
Graham Park (8-2) vs. Steven MacDonald (4-0)
Canada's light heavyweight roster lacks serious depth, but one matchup still jumps out. Park is riding a winning streak right now and desperately needs a marquee opponent to catch the eye of a major promotion. MacDonald once held a Bellator deal before medical complications forced its cancellation. With clearance reportedly granted, he's undoubtedly eager to return to the spotlight. A clash between these two would be fiercely competitive and probably hand the victor the contract they're chasing.
Maged Hammo (10-5-1) vs. Tom O'Connor (9-2)
Hammo finally captured a featherweight championship Saturday night with an epic comeback against Neal Anderson. After falling behind three rounds to nil, he locked in a gorgeous rear-naked choke late in the fourth to lift the gold. A natural first defense would be against O'Connor, who just suffered his first defeat in more than half a decade this spring and will be desperate to ignite a new run of victories.
KB Bhullar (9-2) vs. Sheldon Doll (7-4)
Following back-to-back defeats inside the UFC, Bhullar came home to the regional circuit hoping to right the ship. He dominated to win, but it wasn't the kind of performance fans have grown accustomed to seeing from him. Should Bhullar hope to re-enter the UFC fold, he'll need to rediscover the dominant version of himself from before his UFC stint. Doll would serve as a credible stepping stone on that journey before eventually bumping up to contenders like Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz.
Nick Hrabec (8-5) vs. Matt Krayco (8-8-1)
Thanks to that jaw-dropping knockout of Kolton Menzak this weekend, Hrabec has now won four of his last five bouts, with every one ending in a finish. Krayco also secured a noteworthy victory Sunday with a late first-round stoppage of Tim Smith, so a showdown between these two would absolutely deliver entertainment.
Tyler VanKill (2-0) vs. Zackery Powell (4-1)
VanKill demonstrated his elite grappling skills when he secured a submission victory over highly touted prospect Andrew Mavridis, who entered the bout undefeated. With momentum on his side, VanKill appears ready to climb the rankings quickly, and matching up against Powell—a fellow rising talent—would serve as an excellent gauge of where he truly ranks among his peers.
Ali Charkie (1-0) vs. James Foster (2-2-1)
Charkie has been drawing widespread praise from those who have watched him train, and his professional debut performance against veteran Lorenzo Celis confirmed that feedback was justified. While Foster's record may not catch the eye, he brings toughness, durability, and valuable experience to the cage, making him a solid challenge for a young talent like Charkie.
Tyrell Giselbrecht (1-0) vs. Cole Campbell (3-3)
Giselbrecht has generated considerable excitement throughout his amateur tenure, and his standout victory over Jerico MacPhee—who carried a 6-2 amateur mark—represented a significant leap forward. Campbell presents a formidable obstacle with his grappling prowess and submission arsenal, and an upset here could fast-track Giselbrecht into bigger, more prominent bouts.
Evan Piercey (1-0) vs. Sean Michael (1-0)
Piercey earned a commanding decision victory during his professional debut this past weekend. He's eager to capitalize on a strong amateur background, while Michael finds himself in a comparable spot after defeating his opponent in his pro debut following a respectable amateur campaign where his only losses came against some of the nation's best amateurs. This clash should reveal which fighter can break through in a crowded lightweight division.
