The top of the card has been revealed for BTC 22: Battlezone. With three championship fights at the top of the card and several high profile match ups backing them up this is set to be one of BTC Fight Promotions’ biggest events to date. Here’s the breakdown on what you’ll see in Burlington this November!
MAIN EVENT: ASSENZA vs WILLIAMS
In the main event Adam “Maverick” Assenza (17-7) defends his BTC Fight Lightweight championship against “Nasty” Nate Williams (15-12).
Assenza is a longtime fan favourite in the Canadian MMA scene and it’s easy to see why. With 9 victories including 6 knockouts inside the BTC Fight cage alone you know when “Maverick” fights it will always be entertaining bell to bell. Currently holding the spot as Canada’s No. 1 Lightweight, Assenza is coming off one of the best fights of the year against UFC veteran Polo “Toro” Reyes at BTC 20 where he earned a third-round TKO victory. With another victory “Maverick” has his eyes set on a jump to the big leagues.
In his way is a tough challenger from Atlanta, Georgia’s branch of American Top Team - Nate Williams. With his own championship victory in the rearview, plus appearances in top organizations like PFL and LFA, Williams has been a top talent in the southern US since his pro debut in 2015. In 2022 Willaims made his first appearance in front of a Canadian crowd when he defeated Jesse “The Ghost” Gross in Toronto taking home a unanimous decision victory. He’ll look to do the same in November and bring home gold south of the border.
CO-MAIN EVENT: LARAMIE vs LEMAIRE
The co-main event features two Canadians at the top of their games fighting for Featherweight gold - Windsor’s TJ “The Truth” Laramie (13-5) versus Timmin’s Terry “Good Time” Lemaire (6-3).
After signing a UFC contract in 2020 following a victory on Dana White’s Contender Series TJ Laramie has already reached impressive heights early in his career. However his time in the world’s top promotion was ultimately cut short after only two appearances. At 26 years old Laramie is still heading into his athletic prime and has his sights set on getting back to the international stage. Laramie made his first post-UFC appearance at BTC 20 in June 2023 for the inaugural BTC Fight Featherweight championship. He secured a rear naked choke submission in less than three minutes rendering his opponent unconscious. “The Truth” is clearly still one the best fighter’s in Canada and looks to continue to build his record on his way back to the top with a title defense next month.
The man standing opposite the UFC veteran will be another highly acclaimed Canadian fighter - Terry “Good Time” Lemaire. After losing his first two professional bouts in 2014 Lemaire’s fighting career appeared to be in trouble. But “Good Time” bounced back from the early struggles in a big way with 6 victories in his last 7 fights including a first-round submission of Isaiah Ferguson (8-2). Currently ranked as Canada’s 6th best bantamweight fighter Lemaire moves up a weight class to take on the biggest test of his career, take out an elite prospect and win his first pro title.
NICHOLS vs SISSON
Rounding out the top of the card is a battle in the women’s division pitting BTC champion “AK47” Ashley Nichols (6-4) against Kyna “The Sensation” Sisson (4-4).
The strawweight division has been one of the most impressive divisions in BTC Fight history with all three champions - Lupita Godinez, Rayanne dos Santos and Cheyanne Vlismas - earning contracts with the UFC. Now the newest champion to join the ranks Niagara Top Team’s Ashley Nichols looks to build her resume and follow in their footsteps. With a long history of Muay Thai and kickboxing championships in her past “AK47” put on a striking clinic in Burlington to earn a unanimous decision victory over Mexico’s Karla Pastrana to secure the vacant title. In the interim between defending her title, Nichols earned a victory in LFA against Nadia Vera. Now she looks to make a statement in her first title defense against a tough American opponent and keep the title in Canada.
Representing Michigan’s Dreadnought Martial Arts Kyna Sisson heads to Canada coming off a 1st round armbar submission victory in 2022. “The Sensation” has 4 victories under her belt and they have all ended inside the distance. Look forward to a fast-paced battle in this Canada versus US showdown for the BTC Fight Strawweight Championship.
RONSON vs HALE
While three defending champions fill the top spots on the card a fourth champion will be featured on the card as well - Jesse “The Body Snatcher” Ronson (25-12). The Canadian based out of London, Ontario will be taking on a top American prospect Robert “The Blue King” Hale (14-7) in a 180lbs catchweight bout.
Ronson won the welterweight championship at BTC 21in August 2023 and is currently ranked as the No. 1 welterweight in Canada. Though Ronson will be fighting his belt will not be on the line in this catchweight battle. Looking for a quick turnaround on short notice the “The Body Snatcher” moves up 10lbs and looks to remain undefeated under the BTC Fight banner. Ronson is looking for his 5th consecutive first-round victory and his 4th first round victory within the promotion.
Robert Hale has been a top American prospect for years and is currently listed as No. 12 Welterweight in the United States out of over 1100 athletes. He has fought many high profile bouts for organizations such as the PFL, LFA and B2 Fighting Series where he won their vacant welterweight title in 2022. With 6 victories under his belt since the pandemic, Hale has been extremely active and is hunting the biggest challenges around North America. At BTC 22 Hale will face his toughest challenge to date against the Canadian UFC veteran. If “The Blue King” can earn a victory north of the border it will give him a major boost in international rankings.
SPECIALE vs GRIMSLEY
In another featured bout at lightweight Toronto’s Matt Speciale (5-1) takes on undefeated American wrestler Tyler Grimsley (6-0). Speciale has five victories inside the BTC Fight cage with 4 finishes including an impressive TKO victory at BTC 21 in Kitchener. “Matty Spesh” is one of the top proteges of legendary Canadian kickboxing champion “Bazooka” Joe Valtellini. His well-honed striking abilities have been the standout part of his MMA game leading to three TKO’s, one stoppage via cut, and a unanimous decision.
His opponent will be Michigan’s Tyler Grimsley. Building off a strong wrestling base the American has looked unstoppable inside the cage finishing all 6 of his fights inside the distance with a combination of knockouts and submissions. Both men are quickly climbing the regional rankings and this bout has the potential to catapult the winner’s career to the next level.
INFO ABOUT BTC 22: BATTLEZONE
Date: Sat, Nov 18th, 2023
Venue: Burlington Training Centre — 5041 Fairview St, Burlington, ON
Doors Open at 5PM — Fights Start at 6PM
All Ages Show
Licensed for +19
Link to Tickets — BTC 22 Ticket Link
Bronze - $33.90 | Silver - $56.50 | Gold - $90.40
Pre-Order PPV by Nov 11th and Save $10 — BTC 22 PPV Link
BTC 22 FIGHT CARD
ADAM ASSENZA (C) VS NATE WILLIAMS — BTC Lightweight Championship
TJ LARAMIE (C) VS TERRY LEMAIRE — BTC Featherweight Championship
ASHLEY NICHOLS (C) VS KYNA SISSON — BTC Strawweight Championship
JESSE RONSON VS ROBERT HALE — 180 lbs Catchweight Bout
MATT SPECIALE VS TYLER GRIMSLEY — Lightweight Bout
JARRED DUMOND VS NICK FELBER — Lightweight Bout
JULIUS TRIMMELITI VS JIMMY FOSTER — Middleweight Bout
CLAY PYE VS CHRISTIAN PHILLIPS — Welterweight Bout
BILAL SHARIFI VS DAVIS RAPAGNA — 150 lbs Catchweight Bout
BINAEBI OTORU VS BLAIR WEST — Flyweight Bout
ISAIAH SHARPE VS XI LAU — Flyweight Bout
ALEX GLUZMAN VS ETHAN HERROD — Bantamweight Bout