Canada’s top fighters predict Friday’s Unified 60 Main Event

Jan 21, 2025

TORONTO — Unified MMA, Canada’s leading MMA promotion, makes its 2025 premiere on Friday with Unified 60 under the bright lights of the iconic REBEL Entertainment Complex in Toronto, LIVE worldwide on UFC Fight Pass.

Friday’s Main Event pits two of the nation’s fiercest welterweights against each other. Zack “Pow Pow” Powell is locked in to punch his ticket to the UFC with a third straight, first-round finish. Across from him, challenger Mohamed Ado, is hungry for redemption after falling short in his bid for a UFC contract in his most recent bout at Dana White’s Contender Series.

We checked in with some of Unified MMA’s most knowledgeable fighters for their burning hot takes heading into the organization’s first Main Event battle of the new year.

Pat Pytlik: I’m just pumped to see this matchup!

Ramil “Mr. Real Deal” Kamilov: This is an interesting fight. Mo is extremely talented, athletic, and improves fast. I’m sure he was in the gym like a madman after his loss. However, Mo does lack experience. If he will have an edge anywhere I expect it to be in the striking. Fights play out in all sorts of ways, but I expect Zack to be better on the ground, have better fight IQ and more efficient energy expenditure. Momentum-wise this is interesting again. Zack is coming in hot with a few wins in a row. Although Mo just lost, I fully expect that he took his first loss the right way. I think Mo will come in aggressive, hungry, and in shape looking to win for sure. Overall I give the edge to Zack 60/40.

Liam “The Celtic Samourai” Macfadyen: I’ve got Mo winning for sure. He’s very crafty with his strikes, his range control, and timing are so good. If Zack comes forward recklessly with a big hook or takedown he will most definitely get caught. I think Mo has the advantage anywhere the fight goes with his skillset.

Craig “The King of the North” Shintani: Both fighters are very skilled, but I’d put my money on Powell. His striking is looking better than ever. Mix that with his wrestling, and I think he gets the job done.

Jake Geauvreau: Mo is gonna take the win. I don’t think Zack has fought anyone quite like Mo and I think he’s gonna have a hard time dealing with him. Mo is well rounded; he’ll be good wherever the fight goes.

Tom “The Greek Warrior” Theocharis: I think this is going to be really competitive. Both are incredibly talented athletes with solid resumes. With that being said, I believe Powell might have the edge due to his wrestling. He comes from a strong wrestling team, and wrestling is arguably the most dominant base in mixed martial arts. If Powell can use his wrestling effectively to control the fight, I see him winning by decision.

Ergys Sigeta: If Zack goes in with the right game plan, I can totally see him pulling out the win. But Mo is a crafty fighter who can pull out a win, as we’ve seen before.

Chris Chapman: This fight has the potential to be a banger, but I think it’s going to be more of a wrestling match, with Powell winning a decision. I think Powell’s experience from his past opponents is going to show and he’s going to lean on his wrestling that he used in his earlier career. Ado has shown he has the ability to end a fight wherever, but Powell’s wrestling/wall work in a three-round fight might be too much.

Julien Leblanc: I think that this will be a great fight with a lot of adversity from both sides. Both guys are super talented and incredible prospects, but I see Zack Powell using his high-level wrestling and winning a unanimous decision.

Jake “Bronson” Craig: I think that Powell will win. I’ve seen him train; he is an extremely hard worker with good training partners and high-level coaching. I believe he will finish Ado with a submission or use his grappling to set up heavy strikes in close quarters, leading to a finish.

John “The Dragon” Nguyen: Mo is a Contender Series vet and Zack looking to capitalize on the opportunity. Going with Zack; I think his pressure and size is gonna be too much for Mo.

Shane “Shaolin” Campbell: Mo is a striker and Powell is a grappler. A classic MMA battle. Powell being the bigger, fatter, grappler that has notoriously laid on opponents to squeeze out victories can easily win if he is able to fall on Mo. Mo’s grappling sucks. As we saw in the Contender Series. But if he’s able to tag Powell, the tide of this battle can change drastically. Powell is scared to fight, whereas Mo does enjoy the battle. Again, moments of battle where either side can prevail.

Tim “Shady” Smith: I’m picking Zack “Pow Pow” Powell to win this fight. I believe Zack is remotivated and is going to do big things in this sport. I love his getting-after-it style and he has the wrestling to back it up. I see Zack finishing this fight, KO or TKO.

ABOUT UNIFIED MMA

Unified MMA is Canada’s leading mixed martial arts promotion, showcasing the country’s top-ranked fighters and elite international talent, LIVE on UFC Fight Pass. The organization has successfully promoted 59 events across Canada since it was founded in 2009, and has propelled several athletes to the UFC’s Octagon.