At every card, a special guest analyst steps in to break down the matchups and share their picks for each fight.
Craig Maclean is back to deliver his takes and picks for all seven fights on the Rise FC 4 slate.
Maclean (5-3) brings plenty of Rise FC experience to the table. He earned a first-round knockout victory at Rise FC 2 to capture the promotion's bantamweight belt, then fell via third-round TKO to the current Rise FC bantamweight champion Chad Anheliger at Rise FC 3. Elsewhere on his resume, Maclean boasts impressive stoppages over Blake Sigvaldason and Dylan Atkinson.
Below are Maclean's full predictions for Rise FC 4:
Tristan Connelly (12-6) vs D'Juan Owens (18-13-1): PRO Lightweight Title Bout** FIGHT PREVIEW
"Connelly has been rolling lately — he's won seven of his past eight outings against quality opponents, with only one loss coming against a former UFC fighter. Owens, meanwhile, has caught attention in his last two fights, narrowly beating RISE FC promoter Sabah Fadai on a split decision and surviving a tough test against TUF vet Joe Giannetti. Training alongside some of British Columbia's finest, Connelly looks like the heavier hand here."
Prediction: Connelly wins by TKO in the third round.
Saeid Mirzaei (1-0-1) vs Nicolae Cury (9-6, 1 NC): PRO 175-pound Title Bout** FIGHT PREVIEW
"A 1-0-1 pro record doesn't tell the whole story. Mirzaei comes with serious amateur credentials — a 15-3 mark that includes an IMMAF 2015 World Championship gold medal. There's a reason he got called up on short notice to face a seasoned veteran with 15 previous bouts in just his third professional outing."
Prediction: Mirzaei claims a first-round submission victory.
Jamie Siraj (7-2) vs Blake Sigvaldason (3-1): PRO Featherweight FIGHT PREVIEW
"Without question, this is the matchup catching my eye—I've spent years training alongside Siraj and managed to beat Sigvaldason back in his pro debut way back in 2017. Since then, Sigvaldason relocated his training to Kelowna's Toshido MMA and has been putting on a show, knocking down his final three opponents inside two rounds. Siraj has been equally dominant, rolling through his last four foes while picking up the Unified MMA bantamweight belt. I believe Siraj has arrived at the next level and will have the upper hand regardless of where this showdown happens."
Prediction: Siraj wins by unanimous decision.
Josh Kwiatkowski (1-2) vs Grant Gorsegner (0-0): PRO Lightweight
When Kwiatkowski laces up, excitement is guaranteed. I haven't gotten much footage on Gorsegner, but he's clearly determined to make amends in hostile waters after an amateur stint that fell short of 500. Still, I don't envision him pulling off the upset against the ever-evolving Kwiatkowski.
Prediction: Kwiatkowski wins by unanimous decision.
Keanan Kellar (0-0) vs James Foster (2-1): PRO Middleweight
"Let's be clear: Kellar walks in as the overwhelming favorite, and the buzz surrounding him is well-deserved. Foster recently shifted camps to Revolution Martial Arts and has patched up several gaps in his arsenal. I'll go against the grain and take Foster to steal the spotlight."
Prediction: Foster wins by unanimous decision.
Bryce Gougeon (0-1) vs Jayden Martin (0-0): PRO Welterweight
"A fantastic clash set up here—a seasoned local fighter going head-to-head with a rising young talent. Gougeon dedicated part of his preparation to training with some of Canada's finest at Tristar Montreal. Martin arrived with a sparkling 4-0 amateur record and demonstrated impressive ability across every outing. That said, his last bout dates back to 2016, leaving us wondering whether ring rust could play a role. Gougeon looks determined to notch his maiden pro victory."
Prediction: Gougeon wins by unanimous decision.
Walter Barrios (3-2) vs Mitch Strazzella (2-2): AMATEUR Bantamweight
"A solid amateur bantamweight contest. Strazzella has taken on stiffer competition and should walk away with the W."
Prediction: Strazzella wins by unanimous decision.
