Hello friends of Canadian MMA, and welcome to the latest edition of the MM-EH New Year’s Resolutions article, featuring the wonderful people of the Canadian MMA fight community.
Every year we give them the opportunity to talk about what plans they have for themselves in the upcoming year.
I am confident that I have forgotten to invite more than a few who really should have been included, and for that I sincerely apologize.
I would like to thank everyone who took time out of their busy holidays to give thoughtful and sincere insight into what they hope for themselves in the coming year.
Keep fighting the good fight everyone, and enjoy the read.
Sincerely,
PS- Every name is linked to the person’s Instagram page, so check them out and give them some love!
Radley Da Silva – New Year’s resolution to fight 1 or 2 more times on the regional scene, then earn my UFC contract on Contender Series and end the year out with one fight as a UFC athlete. And to grow as a personal mentally physically and as a father and husband.
Denis Kang (UFC, PRIDE Veteran) – My 2025 NY resolution is to continue growing as a person, coach and martial artist, so that I can pass on my knowledge to the world.
Jarred Dumond – Goal is to just keep living.
Aaron Jeffery (Bellator) – My goal is the same as last year, don’t die!!!
Kultar Gill (PRIDE Veteran) – Mentor and support aspiring MMA athletes to help them excel in the sport at our gym in Abbotsford MambaMMA; Advocate for MMA to be unbanned in more cities un BC, promoting its benefits and safety; Enhance my skills in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, pushing myself to new heights.
Josh Hill – To fight 2-4 times and end my career with a bang.
Josh Lam – My 2025 new year’s resolution is to turn professional.
Alex Caporicci – The goal for 2025 is to help build the next wave of Canadian stars onto the international scene and put on fights that the fans want to see.
Kristopher Bryan – 2025 is my year to dominate on every front. I will crush my recovery from the torn bicep, proving that no setback can hold me down, and defend my championship belt three times, cementing my legacy as a champion. With the power of my team at Champions Creed driving my success in martial arts and the steady support of my incredible woman helping elevate the garage door business, I’ll transform every challenge into triumph. The path to greatness starts in the fire, and this year, I’ll forge an empire—inside the cage and out. Failure is not an option; greatness is the only path.
Damonte Wilson – My News Year’s Resolution is to gain a closer relationship to Jesus! Everything else will fall into place 🙏🏽
Yohan Lainesse (UFC Veteran) – Having good balance with my family, my career, and my gym. 3 win streak with a belt. Looking to get back in to the UFC.
Mitch Clarke (UFC Veteran) – Mine are to continue to get better at jiu jitsu and judo and keep improving as a father, husband and, person… and maybe try to eat less sweets.
John Ramdeen – My resolution is to be way more disciplined and my aspirations are to become one of the best managers/agents to my growing stable of fighters.
Kru Ash – My wish is good health and happiness for everyone and their families. Of course, I also wish great progress for the sport. Being a coach is the best and most responsible job in the world. Coaches change lives, so I wish them all the best.
Abdel Abdelaziz – At least 3 fights this year with 3 finishes.
Charles Jourdain (UFC) – Grab life by the balls; fight José Aldo; pay less taxes.
Owner’s Box
Shari Carruthers (BTC Fight) – 2025 will be a year of history making, change, growth, and excitement! Expand and grow Burlington Training Centre; Continue to be a massive part of the return of Amateur MMA behind the scenes and otherwise; To watch a record number of Ontario/Canadian MMA athletes make their way to world renowned stages; Celebrate BTC Fight’s 30th show; Try something new that has never been done in our sport (hint hint).
Derek Clarke (Fight League Atlantic) – Continue to elevate the Canadian, more so the East Coast scene to its full potential while being a reputable and respected promotion for our Canadian athletes. Wishing everyone a wonderful & safe holiday season 👊❤️
Jay Golshani (BFL) – Although the objective is still the same, to be the top developmental organization from the grassroots level all the way up to the UFC, expect a much different product from us in 2025. When you watch future BFL events, expect a much different type of event than you see from others. Tune in January 23rd and the first five minutes of #bfl82 will set the tone is what’s in store for the future.
Bojan Kladnjaković (Thicc Boy FC) – To be grateful, to stay disciplined, to starve my demons, to gain more money, more strength, more courage, and more ThiccBoy Fightclub.
Daniel Lafond (Samourai MMA) – On a personal level, I strive every day to become a better version of myself so that my children can be proud of their parents. On a professional level, my goal is to continue elevating Samouraï to new heights. I aim to showcase our incredible athletes, create exciting rivalries between organizations, and offer fans unforgettable matchups between the best fighters. Finally, I dream of seeing Samouraï fighters join the ranks of the UFC as early as 2025.
Lee Mein (RITC) – My New Year Resolutions are to rehab completely from my knee surgery and broken foot, then compete in 4 grappling tournaments, do 2 bare knuckle boxing fights, and at least 1 bare knuckle MMA fight. Anything else will be a bonus. Focusing on skill development and conditioning while mentally preparing for competition.
Sunny Sareen (Unified MMA) – To sit back and appreciate life a bit more.
Andrew Tyson (Thicc Boy FC) – Make Thicc Boy Fight Club not only the biggest MMA promotion in Canada but the biggest MMA brand in the world 🫡🌎
James Clarke – Pizza, pussy, and Disneyland this year, and rematch with Gabe for the Samourai title after he beats Tommy. All jokes aside just gotta stay active and keep winning same as every year.
Alana Cook – Keep growing, learning, and becoming the best version of myself. In 2025 I want to win my first pro belt, fight overseas, and keep working towards my PhD so I can become “Doctor Stoppage.” Lets go!!!
Faber Glace (MMA Talk) – My resolution for 2025 is to stop getting anxious about change and to seize every opportunity that comes my way instead of being comfortable with a situation that could be improved if I wasn’t too scared to jump into the unknown.
Patrick Côté (UFC Veteran) – Just keeping taking care of my family and continue my acting career!
Jesse Ronson (BKFC, UFC Veteran) – “And new” Gamebred Bare Knuckle MMA Welterweight world champion, Jesse “The Body Snatcher” Ronson, and after that…AND STILL!
Lyndon Whitlock – New Year’s goal is the same as last year’s. Keep getting better!!
Chad Anheliger (UFC) – Looking to re-invent myself and improve my deficiencies. I will be putting the best version of Chad there has ever been in the UFC cage.
Cristina Lopes (Kaprisyosa/MMA Superfan) – Get back in shape, keep fit, sleep more & eat healthy. More fitness content videos as well. I’ll do my best to keep up with my MMA reports. Keep traveling for MMA, & more interviews of MMA Fighters, get the fans to know more of them.
Brent Fryia – Grow our amateur MMA team. Host an MMA event to help athletes in the North compete close to home. Take at least 10 athletes to the GAMMA World Championships and place among the top 5 countries in the world.
Mehdi Zeidvand – In 2025, my resolution is clear – to become the best version of myself, both personally and professionally. I’m chasing every opportunity, aiming for 3 to 4 fights this year, and locking in that UFC contract. When that moment comes, I’d love to have Donald Trump and Joe Rogan there to witness it. Beyond the cage, it’s about more than just winning – it’s time to give back, helping the next generation rise and chase their own dreams.” Here’s to a year of growth, ambition, and legacy.
Zack Powell – My goal for 2025 is to make it to the UFC.
Kevin Popowick-Bastien – Well I still haven’t reached full side splits yet so still side splits and I’m adding front split now lol.
Keanan Kellar – 2024 I snapped a losing skid with a dominant win. Sadly that was the height of my year as I ended up injuring myself and needing surgery. So for 2025 I have a lot of new goals for myself that I am really looking forward to chipping away at. To start the year my goal is to keep grinding away at my physio and get myself back to 100%. I am going to start my professional boxing career mid 2025 and would love to get at least 2 boxing matches in the new year. I want to keep helping my beautiful girlfriend Alana Cook win herself a pro MMA title next year. And to just to keep learning, growing, and enjoying the process that is this crazy fight life that I live!
Ligrit Sadiku – My New Year’s Resolution is to stay disciplined in all aspects of life, and compete more in 2025.
Luc de Ste Croix – I haven’t fought in a year so I’m gonna play my cards close to my chest with announcements and what not., but I will be back in the win column, thank you for the consideration and message and all the coverage you do for Canadian MMA and have done for me in my previous fights, means a lot to me to have some documentation and history to look back on one day!
Bubba Picard – My hopes and goals are that my opponents show up so I can actually fight. That’s my only wish.
Faisal Rehman – My New Year’s Resolution is to try to continue to work with amateur and professional combat sports athletes, gyms and promoters to grow the sport, and give the athletes more opportunities. I want to help position combat sports to continue to help our Charity event Showdown in the Downtown to raise money for several charitable organizations in our community.
Aaron Bronsteter – To help bring new Canadian fans to the sport and have them grow an appreciation for the strategic side of mixed martial arts.
Matt Smith – 2024 was a tough year. Only fought once but had a great performance and got a big win. Was plagued with some tough injuries/health concerns but I have healed up pretty good and am in good health. Going to try and be more active in 2025 and have some more top notch performances. Gonna be a good year!
Tommy Morrisson – My New Year’s Resolution is to uphold the discipline and consistency that have shaped my journey so far. As I continue to grow, I strive to gain even more fighting experience, while working toward finishing my computer engineering degree by December 2025. Success comes from hard work.
Devon Lozej – My goals for 2025 are to extend my win streak to 10 fights in a row, stay active, and make my UFC debut!
Chris Prickett – New Year’s goal is to continue growing as a coach and help my athletes do the same.
Jayden Martin – My goals for 2025 are to stay off the bench and stay healthy and active. In a perfect world go 4-0, win a title or two, and cap the year off winning a contract on DWCS.
Mo Ado – My new years resolution is to fight as much as possible and get another shot at the UFC.
Lance Gibson Sr (UFC Veteran) – Live in Harmony with Nature, vibrate with a frequency of abundance. My son Lance Gibson Jr signs a deal with the UFC with spectacular victories. My wife Julia “The Jewel” Budd fights her way to one more World title. My whole family healthy and prosperous and allow us to use our fame and fortune to help our indigenous communities for coast to coast in Canada.
Jake Craig – My goal this year is to recover from an Achilles rupture that occurred in early October. I’d then like to fight at least 2x and stay healthy for the remainder of the year. I’d like to put myself in contention to fight for the Unified 205 lb strap by the end of 2025.
Ramil Kamilov – I would like to keep better contact with my family. I don’t call them enough. I would like to be more organized. I want to learn my heritage language (Tatar) better and have been working on it. This year I finally started studying it more formally at an online academy (Alima Academy) I would like to work on my spirituality. I’d like to become a more well rounded person in general. Fight-wise I’d like to patch up some of the holes in my game defensively, and work some of my offence that needs fixing. As far as straight results, 3 wins in 2025 
it looks like I have a pretty serious fight coming up. Lastly, I would like to take more time to stop and enjoy the moment. I’m always focused on the next goal, but as I look back with my rose tinted nostalgia goggles, I haven’t always appreciated the times I was in.
Diana Belbiță (UFC) – 2025 is gonna be a year full of surprises for my friends and fans and even for my family. I’m already working on big things that will change my life a lot and the results are gonna be seen soon. I’m not gonna talk a lot about my personal life so let’s make the plan for my career:
– Moving up a weight class;
– Fighting in March, fighting again in May then taking 3 weeks off so I can visit my Mom in Romania after almost 4 years;
– And I’m not gonna lie, I miss being part of Reality Shows, so I may be back on the screen 😅
Lucas Sonnac (L’Aréna MMA) – “On veut continuer à élever le MMA Québécois via nos émissions télévisées et nos concepts innovateurs. Beaucoup de projets s’en viennent.”
Justin Bourgeois – My 2025 New Year’s Resolutions are to strive to be a better human in all aspects of my life. Take care and provide for my family. Have a few more MMA fights, and then I wanna take some pro boxing fights. Happy New Year. 🙂
Michael Dufort – Beat Rabadanov.
Mark Holst (UFC Veteran) – For 2025 I will continue to grow the GBO fight team with a few guys making their debut in amateur, and I’m super excited to have a few guys doing their pro debut as well! We will continue to be active in the K-1 and Muay Thai circuit, but also will be getting some of our fighters to turn to amateur MMA, I can’t wait!
Jaydon Dyette – Have another successful year with my business. Get some more MMA fights as an amateur. Get my purple belt in BJJ.
Sterling Michetti – Be a better husband and an even better father. Read some books, and enjoy less screen time.
Clayton Pye – Wage war against the communists who impounded my car.
Michael Asiffo – My resolutions are to fight 4 times this year and to get to .500
Kyle Prepolec (UFC Veteran) – My goals for 2025 are to get into one of the major leagues in MMA and become a champion wherever I am. While in the process to become not only the best athlete but also being the best father figure I can be, as well as continually growing my business and work.
Sam Stout (UFC Veteran) – In 2025 my goals in gym are to keep working towards getting my black belt in BJJ and to keep trying to age gracefully, mobility training strength training and fueling my body in the best way possible. More importantly my goals at home are to be as catering and attentive to my family as possible. My kids are growing up fast and I want to make sure all their memories of me are good ones.
César Bonilla – On a personal level no year could have been worse than 2024, so 2025 we’re coming to work hard and get back on the win column. On the other hand as a coach 2024 was amazing, and the plan is to keep going strong in 2025 to eventually accomplish the dream of coaching in the UFC.
Diego Santos – My last year was a year of ups and downs. It started out as a very difficult year, with some personal losses and many professional setbacks, but I managed to find myself again. I changed everything in my life, changed my goals, objectives, team, and the result of that was my last fight, which I won by knockout in the first round. For 2025, I want to continue with this same energy and become bantamweight champion here in Canada! I wish everyone an incredible 2025 and that everyone achieves and reaches what they dream of and are seeking!
Rory Gillis – I want to help our fight team improve and accomplish their goals. I want to win in Moncton, win at a sold out arena in Fredericton, and win a title in Pictou.
Jeff Chan (MMA Shredded) – I’d say my New Year’s resolution is to keep trying to reach and help, inspire, and motivate as many people around the world with their martial arts journey!
Aso Palani – My New Year’s resolution is to continue enjoying this journey and keep improving in all aspects of the game and to become the best I can be. Also have a title by the end of the year.
Ryan Yapsam – For the new year I wanna get some highlight finishes, continue to grow as a person and martial artist, and continue to enjoy life.
Mitch Strazella – Well my 2024 goals came up short. The greats don’t get discouraged, though, and I’m too stubborn to give up. So it’s the same goal. Get the Samourai and/or BFL title this year, and continue to grow.
Bill Mahood – My 2025 MMA/BJJ resolution is to just keep teaching and coaching, and to keep working at staying in shape and healthy so that I can enjoy as much mat time as possible 💪
Fred Dupras – Continue smashing life. Get some W. Be the best father I can be.
Charles Azoulay – 3 Fights 3 Victories 3 Finishes. Eat as much pizza as possible along the journey. Grow my fighting skills to the next level & beyond
Ryan Rohovich – My plan for the new year is to fight as much as possible, become a champion in one of our Canadian organizations like Fight League Atlantic, and also to open and start my own business.
Aiden Appel – My New Year’s Resolution is to stay as active as possible.
Leo Bonin – To put on the best shows in the cage and to be a better man for my legacy.
Josh Kwiatkowski – My New Year’s resolution is kick as much ass as possible in the cage. Stack wins, cash, and continue to improve everywhere as a fighter and a coach.
Pat Carroll – 2025 I’m gonna finish the last 2 fights on my contract with FLA asap and people are gonna see a different fighter than what they saw last year. After those 2 wins we’ll go from there but it’s gonna be a big year for the team at Tower 1, from the regional shows to the UFC.
Isaiah Metituk – My New Year’s resolution is to start breaking faces. I’ve blown ACLs and snapped arms, but 2025 is the year I finally add a face shattering KO to my resume and we turn the violence up to 11.
Matthew Jelly – Train martial arts and don’t be a pussy.
Ethan Herrod – My goals for the new year are to floss more and get my first submission victory.
Julien Leblanc – First off is to win the Samouraï 185 title March 7 against a former UFC opponent. Would also love to get my shot at Contenders this summer. Step by step we start & focus on March 7!
Misha Cirkunov (UFC Veteran) – My goals are to live more, stress less, work on my health. Stay positive, crush all the obstacles. Stay connected with like minded people.
Camillo Avellan – Keep grinding!
Nicolas Ouellet – My goal is to continue to improve and stay active. I want to fight 3 times in 2025. I will keep fighting the best guys and make big statements that show I’m one of the best in the country and get closer to my goal which is to fight for a big organization.
Chris Franco – My New Year’s resolution is to always be quick to seize an opportunity. If you’d told me in the beginning of 2024 I’d be sharing an acting scene with The Rock, Emily Blunt, and Oleksander Usyk, my first thought would be you were under the influence of some type of reality distortion drug but that did actually happen! Of course there’s always the usual: Giving 110% of myself to my amazing wife and daughter plus always trying to bring out the best in my students at FKP MMA.
Mandel Nallo – Fight more.
Jake Geauvreau – My New Years Resolution is to stay healthy, fight as much as possible, and keep winning.
Gino Ghalehpardaz – Compete at least 5 times this year across all disciplines (with at least 4 of those being in MMA). Read 10 books this year. Learn and have advanced knowledge when it comes to financial literacy, economics and the psychology and science of money.
Jasmine Jasudavicius – My goal is to get the best/biggest fights possible and work hard to have good performances until I have the belt.
Taj Gordon – Stay locked in the trenches.
Valentyn Bulat – My main goal for 2025 is to become a better version of myself every single day. I plan to have at least 2–3 fights during the year and win each one of them with confidence and determination. Traveling remains a big passion of mine, so I’m looking forward to exploring new places and cultures as much as possible. I also hope to find time between training camps to have a wedding with my fiancée and begin this new chapter of our life together.
Chris Chapman – Continue to grow and support the competition team at Nomads MMA/Arashi Do Red Deer. Get my fight career back on track by taking a page out of every other Canadians book by fighting complete soup cans for the entire year.
Cole Smith (UFC Veteran) – Big goals! Looking to start up a kickboxing league early next year, with minimum three shows for the year. Also looking to build up my fight team, adding new fighters and getting my current ones more belts/competitions. End of this year, my gym will be at max capacity, our goal is to have a new facility, or at least looking at a new one, complete with cages and rings. I plan on having one of the best teams in Canada.
Erfan Ahangarian – Wish everyone health, happiness and going ahead towards their goals. Also wishing myself too many fight in 2025 and hoping to can come over all them. Happy new year everyone.
Shannon Clark – My New Year’s Resolution is to showcase my growth and to have my family involved more with the journey along the way!
Raphael Ouellet – In 2025 I want to have at least 3 fights. More if possible. I want to stay active. This time next year I will be on a 3 fight win streak bumping my record up to 4-3. Expect to see me in some big fights in 2025. More fights, more highlights, more money. Kill or be killed.
Isabella Filippazzo – My New Year’s resolution is to continue to get as much fight experience as I can and to make my professional debut!
Gabe Sagman – My goals are to keep fighting and growing as a martial artist. Outside of that, I’ll continue to find other ways to contribute to the community. Working hard to produce some massive results in 2025!
Willow Morton – My New Year’s resolution is to keep being myself and enjoy the journey! Also fight as much as I can because I love it!
Christien Savoie – My goals for 2025 would be to return for an epic comeback fight & then to top the year off debuting in the big show.
Jason Day (UFC Veteran) – My New Year’s resolutions are to produce a movie, make $1 million day trading, and return to the Octagon.
Jo Maisonneuve – For 2025, I’ve got some exciting plans in the works! I’m starting my own brand, though I’m keeping the details under wraps for now—just stay tuned! I’m also getting back into MMA and I can’t wait to get in the cage again. On top of that, I’m gearing up for some major jiu-jitsu tournaments, ready to push myself to the next level. It’s going to be a year of growth, challenges, and big wins!
Mike Meade – For 2025, I want to get back into the cage and continue where I left off in 2023. In 2024 I just trained and worked on myself. 2025 I want to take everything I’ve gained and put it to the test! Happy New Year!
Anton Potocki – My goals for 2025 include: -Learning from my experiences in the cage from this past year to reach new levels in 2025, being more of service to my gym and team mates, being more disciplined with rest and recovery, having an active competition year and adding to my highlight reel.
Isabelle Lacroix – My New Year’s resolution for 2025 is to continue to improve my fight IQ while improving my athleticism, focus and overall well being.
Adam Posener – Just start dialing everything in outside of fighting to try and perform up to my full potential in 2025. Once everything is dialed then we can start making the UFC in 2026.
Mel Zeman – My resolution is to stop missing the pads on body shots (sorry everyone).
My resolution for 2025 is to complete construction of the MM-EH Podcast Studio, and start sharing the stories of the amazing athletes of Canadian Mixed Martial Arts.
Thank you to each and every one of you for your continued support, and I wish each of you an amazing 2025!
