Ontario’s No. 1 MMA organization, BTC Fight Promotions, is coming to Belleville for the first time ever! Get ready for BTC XXVII: Bellevegas on Friday, March 15th at the Belleville Armouries, where top-tier fighters from across the country will step into the cage for an action-packed night of MMA. This historic event marks BTC’s debut in Belleville, bringing high-level competition to a brand-new audience and giving local fans the opportunity to see the next generation of MMA stars in their own backyard.
After years of hosting professional MMA events, BTC will finally have the chance to showcase amateur athletes. Following a recent change in Ontario combat sports laws, Amateur MMA is finally sanctioned in the province. BTC XXVII: Bellevegas will make history as the first-ever amateur MMA event in Ontario. On top of that, it will also be Ontario’s first Pro-Am MMA event, featuring both professional and amateur bouts on the same card. This groundbreaking shift creates new opportunities for up-and-coming athletes to gain valuable experience, providing a clear pathway from the amateur to the professional level and beyond. As a result, BTC XXVII will mark the beginning of this watershed moment in Canadian sports history and will play a crucial role in developing the next generation of talent.
For the past seven years, BTC Fight Promotions has traveled across Ontario, organizing world-class MMA events and providing a platform for fighters to showcase their skills, build their records, and take the next step in their careers. Our events have helped launch future stars—including Jasmine Jasudavicius, Loopy Godinez, and Serhiy Sidey—who have all gone on to compete in the UFC. Now Belleville takes centre stage and will be the next proving ground for Canada's best rising talent!
Matt Smith landing a punch against Curtis Richard in his pro debut at BTC 16: Challenger Series in Burlington, Ontario — July 9th, 2022
The BTC XXVII: Bellevegas fight card is already stacked, featuring matchups between dangerous finishers and rising contenders. In a welterweight showdown, hometown fighter Matt “The Mauler” Smith (3-1) returns following a dominant first-round TKO victory at BTC 24: Apex in Burlington. With two knockouts already to his name, Smith will be looking to put on a show for his hometown crowd. Standing in his way is Toronto’s Ljae Simminz (2-1), a heavy-handed finisher who turned pro in 2024 with back-to-back knockout wins. After suffering his first professional loss, Simminz is coming to Belleville with something to prove—expect fireworks when these two step into the cage.
Andrew Babcock post-fight interview at BTC 23: Revolution in Kingston, Ontario — March 16th, 2024
Also featured on the card, Belleville’s own Andrew “Babjitsu” Babcock (2-0) returns after earning Submission of the Year honours in 2024. Undefeated with two submission victories, Babcock is determined to keep his streak alive against Ajax’s Ryan Yapsam (2-2). Yapsam, a flashy and unpredictable striker, is also undefeated inside the BTC cage and looks to hand Babcock his first loss while securing his own third professional win. Meanwhile, in the women’s bantamweight division, Alana “The Alanamal” Cook—BTC’s 2024 Rookie of the Year—is on a mission to prove she’s Canada’s top pound-for-pound female fighter. She’ll face off against Andrea “The Amazon” Watson, a decorated competitor with titles in kickboxing, Muay Thai, jiu-jitsu, and boxing. Watson is stepping into MMA with a wealth of experience, and her BTC debut could be the start of something big.
Alana Cook (yellow) faces off against Nikola Kacperska (black) at BTC 26: Rumble in the Rapids in Niagara Falls — November 16th, 2024
With more fight announcements on the way, BTC XXVII: Bellevegas is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and important events in Ontario MMA history. With a stacked fight card featuring 10-15 bouts, including the province’s first-ever amateur MMA fights, this will be a historic night that helps develop the sport at every level. Don’t miss your chance to witness elite-level MMA and the future of the sport in Canada, live at the Belleville Armouries!
📅 Date: Friday, March 15th
📍 Venue: Belleville Armouries
🚪 Doors Open: 5 PM · 🥊 Fights Start: 6 PM
🎟️ All Ages Show · Licensed for 19+