BTC Fight Promotions returned with “BTC 36: Challenger Series II” on Saturday, April 4th, at the Battle Arts Academy in Mississauga. This was the beginning of our 2026 amateur tournament with 12 fighters battling to punch their tickets to the finals and a shot at their weight class’s championship title. Fans packed the arena for a high-energy night of action, witnessing the next generation of Canadian MMA prospects showcase heart, skill, and finishing instincts that promise exciting matchups ahead.
Ashtin Dutrisac def. Callum Ryder
Unanimous Decision | 29-28, 29-28, 29-28 – Welterweight Tournament Semifinal #1
Sudbury’s Ashtin Dutrisac earned a hard-fought victory over Hamilton’s Callum Ryder. Ryder took the first round with a takedown and dominant top control, but Dutrisac rallied in rounds 2 and 3, landing his own takedowns and combining them with ground-and-pound to keep Ryder on the defense securing his victory and punching his ticket to the finals.
Kenneth Dunbar def. Matthew Zions
Unanimous Decision | 29-28, 30-27, 29-28 – Welterweight Tournament Semifinal #2
Miami Gardens, Florida’s Kenneth Dunbar showcased technical precision and aggression, using striking, takedown defense, and cage control to dictate the fight’s pace. Dunbar countered Zions’ shots well, hunting both body and head throughout three competitive rounds in an absolute war from bell to bell. Though the battle was close all three judges sided with Dunbar giving the American a unanimous decision over the Canadian sending him to the tournament finals.
Welterweight Final Preview – Dutrisac vs. Dunbar:
Fans can expect a high-paced, technical showdown in the welterweight final. Dutrisac enters on a three-fight win streak inside the BTC cage, including two submission victories. But the top-ranked Canadian prospect will face his toughest test to date in Florida’s Dunbar. No challenge appears too big for the American, as he proved on Saturday by going the distance and delivering power for all three rounds. Two elite prospects collide in what is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated amateur bouts in BTC history.
Heliam Blanco def. Trevor Lethbridge
TKO (Strikes) | Round 1 | 0:35 – Lightweight Tournament Semifinal #1
North York’s Heliam Blanco made a statement with a perfect counter that dropped Lethbridge early. Blanco followed up with a flurry of hammer fists on the ground, ending the bout in just 35 seconds after trading strikes early in the fight. Looking better than ever the Santos Brother’s prospect moves on the to the Lightweight Finals.
Codie Aird def. Edrick Paturel
Submission (Triangle Choke) | Round 2 | 2:14 – Lightweight Tournament Semifinal #2
Baltimore, Ontario’s Codie Aird showed veteran composure, struggling to find openings against Paturel’s pressure and surviving an early knockdown in the second round. But midway through the second round, Aird executed a slick triangle choke, showcasing his grappling expertise and earning the submission victory. Aird made a statement in his amateur MMA debut and proved why he deserves to be in this tournament.
Lightweight Final Preview – Blanco vs. Aird:
The lightweight final features an intriguing stylistic matchup. Blanco enters on back-to-back wins inside the BTC cage, showcasing explosive striking and a slick grappling acumen. Aird brings a strong grappling game and has shown he is capable on the feet as well, which could play a key role. Expect Blanco to push the pace early, while Aird will look for opportunities to lock up a submission. Will Aird repeat his success by eliminating another experienced contender, or will Blanco continue his run and earn his first amateur title?
Simon Yoo def. Yassine Mouelhi
Submission (D’Arce Choke) | Round 1 | 1:38 – Featherweight Tournament Semifinal #1
Sudbury’s Simon Yoo overwhelmed Gatineau’s Yassine Mouelhi with aggressive striking, takedowns, and relentless pressure. Yoo secured a front headlock in a scramble and maintained control, eventually transitioning smoothly into a fight-ending D’Arce choke in the first round. With his BTC debut now behind him, Yoo turns his focus to the featherweight final, with the championship just one fight away.
Brody Lawlor def. Mesaq Ghorbandy
Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | Round 3 | 1:46 – Featherweight Tournament Semifinal #2
Peterborough’s Brody Lawlor survived an early knockdown from a head kick. After recovering, he returned to his game, trading shots and pushing a high pace throughout the fight before reversing a takedown in the third round. Lawlor moved to mount and secured a rear-naked choke, demonstrating endurance, grit, and technical skill. It was an impressive amateur MMA debut, showing he belongs in line for a shot at the BTC Amateur Featherweight Championship.
Featherweight Final Preview – Yoo vs. Lawlor:
The featherweight final is set to be a battle of grit and technique. Yoo’s fast-paced, aggressive style and first-round submission ability will test Lawlor’s resilience and striking. Lawlor’s patience and ability to finish in later rounds could make this a competitive fight down the stretch. Yoo holds the experience advantage inside the cage and will look to push Lawlor to the breaking point in a highly anticipated tournament final.
From quick finishes to tactical decisions, “BTC 36: Challenger Series II” delivered everything fans love about MMA. With the semifinals now complete, these athletes are set to headline an unforgettable tournament finale in the amateur portion of “BTC 37: MMA Expo” on June 6th.
Don’t miss the tournament finale in Burlington, where these semifinal winners will face off for victory, championship titles, and the next step in their MMA careers.
Watch the full event on SpectationSports.com
Tickets Available NOW for BTC 37: MMA Expo
Tickets are 20% off until April 11th.