Top 6 storylines heading into Unified 44 in Calgary
Apr 14, 2022
CALGARY – Canada’s Ultimate Proving Ground touches down in Calgary for the first time next month, with Unified 44 on May 6, LIVE on UFC Fight Pass. Here are the Top 6 storylines heading into fight night.
Unified MMA’s Debut in the Stampede City
After 43 successful shows in Edmonton over the course of a decade, Unified MMA sets up shop in Calgary for the first time at Unified 44. Calgary has long been a hotbed of MMA in Canada, as home to many world-class fighters and host to UFC events. Now, several of the city’s best and brightest fighters are ready to test their skills in Canada’s leading MMA promotion, LIVE on UFC Fight Pass.
Main Event Title Fight
In the Main Event, Calgary’s own Noah “The Chosen Defender” Ali (10-5-1) takes on Ontario’s Gabe “The Samurai” Sagman (7-4) for the vacant Unified MMA Canadian Bantamweight Championship. Ali has long been regarded as one of Western Canada’s top bantamweight contenders, and Sagman, a BJJ black belt, is more than keen to add a national championship to his resume as he works his way to a UFC contract offer.
Co-Main Event Showdown
In the Co-Main Event, Lethbridge’s Tom “Big Nasty” O’Connor (9-2) and Calgary’s John Nguyen (4-2) square off in Unified’s stacked featherweight division. O’Connor and Nguyen have accomplished a lot early in their blossoming careers, and they’re both eager to make a statement in their first battle in Canada’s Ultimate Proving Ground.
Former Champions Collide
In a matchup highly anticipated among hardcore Canadian MMA fans, former Unified MMA Canadian Champions Tim “Shady” Smith and Curt “The Demon” Demarce lock horns at 155 pounds. Representing Calgary and Winnipeg, respectively, Smith and Demarce are hungry to put on a show and prove they’re still contenders on the national stage.
Fast-Rising Hometown Hero
Ali Charkie has only competed three times as a professional, but he’s quickly establishing himself as an exciting prospect to watch in the world of Canadian MMA. Charkie is also already one of Calgary’s most popular fighters. Chris Lee Byrne, his opponent from Ontario, is excited to enter hostile territory as the BJJ black belt tries to climb to 6-1 with a fifth straight victory.
East Meets West
Another top Eastern Canadian prospect, Zack “Pow Pow” Powell returns to the Unified MMA cage for the second time. Like Byrne, Powell is trying to improve to 6-1 as a pro. He takes on Calgary’s Matt “The Kid” Krayco, an ultra-tough fighter who went three hard rounds with top Canadian Shane “Shaolin” Campbell on just a few hours notice at Unified 41.
Below is the complete Unified 44 card. Bout order is subject change.
Unified MMA 44
May 6 in Calgary
Professional Card
Noah Ali (10-5) vs. Gabe Sagman (7-4)
For the Unified MMA Canadian Bantamweight Championship
Featherweight: Tom O’Connor (9-2) vs. John Nguyen (4-2)
Lightweight: Tim Smith (15-12) vs. Curtis Demarce (18-16)
Middleweight: Ali Charkie (2-1) vs. Chris Lee Byrne (5-1)
Super-lightweight: Matt Krayco (8-9) vs. Zack Powell (5-1)
Middleweight: Kristopher Bryan (pro debut) vs. Hunter Lee (pro debut)
Welterweight: Dylan Schellenberg (1-2) vs. Chris Chapman (4-3)
Featherweight: Sean Michael (1-0) vs. Jeremy Grieve (pro debut)
Middleweight: John Moore (pro debut) vs. Sebastian Lopez (pro debut)
Nick LeBlanc (1-0) vs. TBD
Amateur Card
Lightweight: Dan Kovalchuk vs. Derek Khosa
Middleweight: Travis Erlam vs. Said Dzafic
Featherweight: Patrick Pajda vs. Leo Bonin
Featherweight: Arman Deol vs. Robert Nobel
Lightweight: AJ Market vs. Sean Carroll
Welterweight: Phil Lauzon vs. Mac Stroud
Heavyweight: Dillon Lewis vs. Terrell Jonasson
Bantamweight: Justin Fernandez vs. Bruce Roussin
Lightweight: Brodie Tansley vs. Morgan Bateman
ABOUT UNIFIED MMA
Unified MMA is Canada’s leading mixed martial arts promotion, showcasing the country’s top-ranked fighters, LIVE on UFC Fight Pass. The organization has successfully promoted 43 events since it was founded in 2009, and has propelled several athletes to the UFC’s Octagon.
