BTC 26: Rumble in the Rapids event info
Ontario's No. 1 MMA organization "BTC Fight Promotions" is coming back to Niagara Falls for the first time since 2019! Get ready for "BTC 26: Rumble in the Rapids" at the Americana Resort on Saturday, November 16th for a thrilling night of mixed martial arts competition!
For the past seven years, the BTC Fight Promotions team has been travelling around Ontario organizing world-class MMA events. We consistently seek out top-tier talent from across Canada and around the globe. Our events give athletes a platform to showcase their skills, build their records, and prove they are ready to compete on the international stage. The last time we held an event in Niagara Falls we had two athletes, Jasmine Jasudavicius and Loopy Godinez, who signed with the UFC shortly afterwards. In 25 shows we have helped propel 11 athletes to organizations such as the UFC and Bellator including Serhiy Sidey, Aaron Jeffery and Ultimate Fighter winner Ryan Loder!
This show will be no different! We are bringing some of the best MMA fighters from Canada and around the world to Niagara Falls on November 16th. This event will be one of our biggest events of the year featuring high-profile showdowns between rising prospects and undefeated contenders vying to prove themselves as the best in the world.
We're excited to be hosting the event at the Americana Resort. Everything you need will be available on the resort property including a hotel, a spa, a massive waterpark, an arcade and Boston Pizza which will host our after-party with buffet-style food directly after the event.
Join us in Niagara Falls and immerse yourself in the excitement and energy of the crowd for a guaranteed action-packed night of fights!
BTC 26 FAQ
Visit TICKETSCENE to purchase tickets. A confirmation e-mail will be sent to the supplied email address that has to be brought to the show to obtain entry. The recipient of the e-tickets is required to show matching photo identification to the door staff.
Door opens at 5PM
Show starts at 6PM
All ages event; anyone under 16 must be accompanied by a guardian
Licensed for +19
Each section of seating, aside from the tables, will be “first come, first serve”
Security will check all bags on entry to the venue
Fight card is subject to change at any time
No refund or exchange policy is in effect
Sanctioned by the Ontario Athletic Commission
Have any questions about the event or tickets? Send us an email
the countdown is on…
Adam “Maverick” Assenza (18-7-1)
vs.
Joash “Honey Badger” Walkins (15-1)
Reigning defending @BTCFight champion Adam Assenza (@AdamMaverick) is back to defend his title. “Maverick” holds the record for the most wins (10) and most knockouts (6) in BTC history. Assenza won his title against UFC veteran Polo Reyes at BTC 20: Night of Champions in June 2023 and defended it against Nate Williams at BTC 22: Battlezone in Nov 2023. Now he looks to make his second defense in Niagara Falls!
Joash Walkins (@JoashWalkinsMMA) makes his BTC Fight debut for the title. “Honey Badger” makes his BTC debut with a near-perfect MMA record with 15 victories including 5 knockouts and 3 submissions. Walkins looks to dethrone the reigning champion and make a huge leap forward in his MMA career.
This will be a high-level battle with gold on the line as two of the best prospects in North America face off at the Americana Resort on November 16th in Niagara Falls.
Gabe “Samurai” Sagman (8-7)
vs.
James “The Suplex Kid” Clarke (9-4)
Gabe Sagman (@SamuraiSagman) is coming off back-to-back wins inside the BTC cage. This includes a unanimous decision over Matt Dawson at BTC 13: Power in St. Catharines and more recently a first round submission over undefeated Anton Potocki at BTC 25: Legacy in Oshawa. The BJJ black belt currently trains in St. Catharines at Niagara Top Team and has his sights set on reaching the top of Canada’s flyweight rankings.
The path to the top goes through former @BTCFight Flyweight Champion James Clarke (@SuplexKid94). “The Suplex Kid” made his BTC debut in 2018 at BTC 4: Vendetta with a first-round submission over Nate Ledger. This bout earned Clarke a shot at the vacant BTC Flyweight Championship at BTC 6: Night of Champions against Dave Henry. Clarke dominated en route to victory in the five-round battle. Though Clarke was eventually dethroned of his title due to inactivity during the pandemic, he has continued his winning ways picking up eight victories in his last nine fights including three submissions and one knockout.
Bobby Poulter (5-2)
vs.
Chris Chapman (5-6)
Bobby Poulter (@BobbyPoult) makes his fourth appearance inside the @BTCFight cage. Poulter made his pro debut in 2019 at BTC 8: Eliminator where he dominated his opponent en route to a submission victory. He returned in 2022 at BTC 16: Challenger Series securing a first-round TKO win against Nelly Thompson. Most recently, Poulter showcased his dominance with a unanimous decision victory at BTC 24: Apex in June 2024. With another win, Poulter aims to climb from the top 10 in the province to the top 10 in the country.
His opponent, Chris Chapman (@Chappy93), is also chasing his sixth professional victory in Niagara Falls. Chapman first fought for BTC Fight Promotions in 2021 at BTC XI in Edmonton, Alberta. While his BTC debut didn't go his way, "Chappy" is determined to turn things around at BTC 26: Rumble in the Rapids. Known for his 100% finish rate, including two knockouts and three submissions, Chapman has proven his ability to end fights quickly.
Both men possess fight-ending power, and this bout promises to deliver fireworks. The winner will take a significant step forward in their career heading into 2025.
Clay “The Bear” Pye (3-0)
vs.
Ljae Simminz (2-0)
Starting his combat sports career in wrestling “The Bear” was among the best in Canada winning gold at the Olympic Trials, silver and bronze at the Pan-Am games and gold twice at the USports National Wrestling Championship. Now turning his athletic pursuits into MMA, Clay Pye (@ClayPye) already has 2 victories inside the @BTCFight cage. His first victory was a unanimous decision over Christian Phillips at BTC 22 Battlezone which was later nominated for 2023 Fight of the Year. This was followed by a devastating 1st round TKO over Cesar “The Hulk” Bonilla in the main event of BTC 25 Legacy in September 2024.
Toronto’s Ljae Simminz (@JaeSimz) has been on an impressive winning streak dating back to amateur competition in 2023. Simminz picked up back-to-back TKO victories as an amateur competitor including winning an amateur title in March 2024. In June 2024, Simminz made the move to the professional ranks. The welterweight prospect ended his first two pro victories inside the distance via TKO over Kris Allard and Justin Kennedy for Unified MMA. Simminz looks to continue his knockout streak and maintain his quick rise up the Canadian rankings by taking out “The Bear” in Niagara Falls.
Alana “The Alanamal” Cook (2-1)
vs.
Nikola Kacperska (1-0)
British Columbia’s Alana Cook (@TheAlanamal) made her pro debut in 2022, earning dominant back-to-back wins, including a submission victory over Max Turcotte-Novosedlik at PAWFC 1, quickly rising up the Canadian rankings. Recently relocating to St. Catharines to train at Niagara Top Team “The Alanamal” looks for her third pro victory this November in her new home of Ontario
Her opponent will be undefeated Polish fighter Nikola Kacperska (@NikolaKacperska). Kacperska had a highly successful collegiate basketball tenure at Fort Hays State University in Kentucky before turning to competing in mixed martial arts after her undergrad. Starting amateur MMA in 2021 Nikola quickly built up a 5-2 record including one TKO and one submission victory. In 2024 Kacperska graduated to pro competition and won her first pro fight in Texas via unanimous decision in March 2024.
Gino “The Heel” Ghalehpardaz (4-3)
vs.
Nigel “The Black Lion” Crosswell (1-3)
London Ontario’s Gino Ghalehpardaz (@GinoGhal) is currently undefeated inside the @BTCFight cage picking up 2 victories including a rear naked choke submission against Nate Ledger at BTC 14: Clash in March 2022 and a majority decision victory over Francisco “Canelo” Ramirez at BTC 21: Fight Night Kitchener in August 2023.
His opponent Nigel Crosswell (@NigelCrosswell) made his promotional debut in 2023 picking up his first pro victory with a devastating clinch knee KO over Tony “Poison” Gonzalez at BTC 20: Night of Champions II in June 2023. His lone appearance inside the BTC Fight cage was nominated for the 2023 Knockout of the Year at the BTC Fight Awards Show.
Adding fuel to the fire; in 2022 Ghalehpardaz picked up a split decision victory over Nigel’s brother Noah Crosswell which led to a heated war of words backstage following the bout. Now we get to see the epic conclusion to this heated grudge match in November!!
César "The Hulk" Bonilla (1-2)
vs.
Michael Asiffo (0-2)
César Bonilla (@HulkSmash.BJJ) returns for back-to-back appearances in the @BTCFight cage. Bonilla is determined to get back into the win column following a hard-fought battle with Clay Pye at BTC 25: Legacy. The BJJ black belt is eager to show he’s far from done and still a force in the welterweight division.
Across the cage will be Vaughn’s own Michael Asiffo )(@MichaelAsiffo). Making his pro debut at BTC 17: Evolve Asiffo showed moments of brilliance but ultimately missed out on the victory. Hungry for his first professional win; Matador MMA’s Asiffo is looking to make a statement and secure that breakout performance in Niagara Falls.