Unified MMA returned to the River Cree Resort and Casino over the weekend, delivering a packed Unified MMA 46 card filled with spectacular knockouts, submissions, and a few major surprises — at least from the perspective of the enthusiastic local crowd.
Please note: most of the matchups discussed below are purely speculative and haven't been officially confirmed or linked to actual negotiations, except where explicitly stated.
We'd love to hear your predictions on who deserves the next shot for the night's top performers, and who you'd pick in each hypothetical bout.
Jamelle Jones (13-8) vs. PFL 2023 Season
Jones delivered a dominant performance to take down Christian Larsen and silence the home crowd. Given the thin depth of the Canadian heavyweight division, it's doubtful Jones returns to Unified's octagon anytime soon. Outside of Caio Machado, there aren't many elite Canadian heavyweights available who aren't already tied to "big five" promotions. Bringing in yet another American opponent doesn't add much value, and Jones is actively in discussions about competing in the 2023 PFL season. Jones has publicly stated that Unified would remain his preferred regional platform, so it would be strategic for Unified to arrange one or two opportunities for Larsen to rebuild his ranking and secure a rematch while Jones pursues the PFL million-dollar prize.
KB Bhullar (12-4) vs. Curtis Millender (19-9)
The fight was barely 90 seconds in when an accidental eye poke brought an abrupt end to what promised to be a fascinating clash between two experienced UFC fighters. At that point, neither competitor had established any advantage, making a rematch the logical next step — and likely a crowd-pleasing affair. There's not much else to add beyond that: if both athletes are interested and physically ready, this is the bout that should happen.
Stephen Beaumont (10-3) vs. Kyle Prepolec (15-8)
Beaumont didn't hesitate at all this past weekend, completely overwhelming TUF veteran Michael Hill in barely over a minute to secure the TKO. After nearly four-and-a-half years away from competition, Beaumont delivered the biggest win of his career, sending Hill into retirement after his first bout in nearly two years. Beaumont made his presence known and made clear this wasn't a one-time comeback—he's already issued a challenge. The fighter is calling for a bout against UFC vet Kyle Prepolec at either 165 or 170 pounds, noting that a victory over the UFC veteran could quickly place "Big Bad" in title contention.
Brandon Jenkins (16-9) vs. Shane Campbell (22-8)
Jenkins delivered one of the most devastating knockouts in recent Unified MMA history, much to the displeasure of the home crowd who were clearly rallying behind Neal Anderson. Much like Jones, Jenkins has been in discussions with several major promotions but remains open to a return to the Unified cage. Should Jenkins fall short on the contract he's pursuing, a bout—and victory—against longtime Unified staple Campbell could earn him that deal, though it won't be straightforward. Campbell has been having trouble locating willing opponents, but after this commanding win you'd expect Jenkins' confidence to be sky-high and ready, willing and able to face the welterweight champion, particularly if there's an opportunity to claim a title.
Alex O'Neil (5-0) vs. Zackery Powell (6-1)
O'Neil was certainly the less familiar fighter going into his bout with Jett Grande, but he demonstrated he was far from the weaker opponent. Grande dictated much of the positioning throughout the fight, yet O'Neil unleashed punishment and dealt damage from opening bell to closing, including a 10-8 round, leaving the accomplished amateur battered and bruised at the final horn. O'Neil has now announced himself and solidified his standing as a promising prospect in the always-competitive lightweight division. Another fighter who has surfaced over the past few years is Powell, who has competed at lightweight and, assuming he's interested in making the weight class his permanent home, would pair with O'Neil to create a compelling matchup.
Sean Michael (3-0) vs. Ramil Kamilov (3-0)
After experiencing mixed outcomes as an amateur, Michael has truly begun to find his stride since turning professional in 2019. He's accumulated three consecutive submission wins and has already set his sights on tougher competition. While I was drafting this paragraph, Michael and fellow unbeaten pro Ramil Kamilov were exchanging jabs on Instagram, both challenging Unified to schedule the bout. It doesn't get any simpler than that kind of matchmaking, and with a card coming up in Cowtown, this fight could happen before the close of 2022.
