‘Means a lot’: Calgary’s Melissa Croden signs four-fight deal with UFC

Calgary's Melissa Croden just signed a four-fight contract with the UFC. Her first fight will be next month in Vancouver.

Even as a kid, Melissa Croden was interested in martial arts.

Croden says she was never one for team sports. Instead, mixed martial arts fit her competitive needs.

“When I was young, I started taking taekwondo with a really good friend of mine, and it was just one of those sports that, for whatever reason, it just resonated with me and I fell in love with it.”

‘Scare’

Later in adulthood, Croden trained in Muay Thai, which kickstarted her fighting career.

She goes by the nickname “Scare,” and has been putting the fear in opponents since she started her professional fighting career in 2019.

Croden says it’s been a process.

“It’s just weird,” she said. “If you do something long enough, you’re going to get good at it, as long as you’re keeping yourself honest, and you’re doing the right things for you to continue expanding on your skillset.”

Four-year fight deal with UFC

Croden, 34, is 6-2 as a professional fighter, and is one of Canada’s top prospects.

She’s been rewarded for all of her hard work and recently signed a four-fight deal with UFC.

She says it’s a dream come true.

“I’ve sacrificed a lot in my life,” she said. “It hasn’t been easy, so it means a lot to have this vision come to fruition like it has.”

Her coach Curtis Demarce says this UFC contract is a big deal.

“This is a very special moment for Calgary and Canada – you know, to have the number one women’s bantamweight fight with the UFC in Canada – it’s huge.”

First UFC fight

Croden’s first time in the UFC will be on Oct. 18 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver.

She will fight Brazil’s Tainara Lisboa and is expecting it to be a battle.

“(She’s a) really good fighter,” said Croden. “I respect her a lot. Really good at striking, she has a solid Muay Thai background, and her grappling looks solid as well.

“She’s going to be a challenge and it’s a challenge that I’m absolutely ready for.”