Maria Djukic’s Journey To Be “The Baddest Female On The Planet” Continues At Unified 40
Jul 21, 2021
EDMONTON — To say that Maria Djukic is excited to return to the cage at Unified 40 would be an understatement.
The fast-rising female bantamweight contender is back in action Aug. 14 at the sold-out River Cree Resort & Casino, trying to climb to 2-0 against Vancouver’s Jackie Anne MacLean (1-0). Their bout airs LIVE on UFC FIGHT PASS and is the first women’s MMA match to ever grace the Main Card of a Unified MMA event.
This isn’t just another fight for Djukic. It’s an opportunity to reintroduce her new, better, more driven self to her hometown of Edmonton.
After leaving university in 2016 without a degree and unsure of her future, Djukic opted to spend some time away from home in Kelowna, BC. She had an extensive taekwondo background, so she decided to pop into Toshido MMA for a workout.
Toshido MMA, of course, is one of the best MMA academies in Canada. Djukic’s first training partner was none other than former UFC star Sarah “Cheesecake” Moras.
“I did a couple rounds with Sarah, and coach (David Lea) asked me, ‘Who are you?’ I said I’m just a girl who’s trying to have fun; I have no idea what I’m doing,” Djukic recalls with a laugh.
“I told him I wasn’t in school, and he told me I need to get my ass over there full time because it would be very helpful for Sarah.”
A month later, Djukic “loaded up all her crap” and headed west to start her MMA journey.
“I’m not the same person I was when I left Edmonton, and that’s what I’m most proud of,” the 27 year old says on the eve of her hotly anticipated homecoming bout.
“It’s going to be awesome because everybody there is going to realize I’m not nearly the same fighter I was when I left in 2016,” she adds, smiling. “I’m on the correct path, and that will be clear to everyone on fight night.”
Djukic is very proud of what she’s accomplished in MMA, but she’s just getting started.
“Everybody who knows me knows what my goals are. I want to fight at the highest level of mixed martial arts and eventually be the baddest female on the planet,” she says with confidence. “I’m here to be the baddest female on the planet because I feel like that’s the best version of myself. Seriously.”
ABOUT UNIFIED MMA
Unified MMA is Canada’s preeminent mixed martial arts promotion. Unified MMA has successfully promoted 39 events since its debut in 2010. The organization is home to most of Canada’s most exciting fighters and helped propel athletes like Tanner Boser and KB Bhullar to the UFC’s Octagon. Unified MMA’s past 25 events have all been sold out.
