Melissa Scare Crodens Bold Leap into MMA Rewards Her with UFC Debut in Vancouver

Melissa Croden, a 34-year-old bantamweight from Calgary, is making a bold move into Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as she prepares for her UFC debut in Vancouver. This pivotal event is set for Saturday at Rogers Arena, where she will face Tainara Lisboa, a Brazilian fighter known as the “Thai Panther,” in the opening bout of the UFC Fight Night card.

Background and Journey to MMA

Croden’s journey into the world of MMA began in 2015. She took a three-month leave from her job as a paramedic to train in Thailand. During her time at Tiger Muay Thai, she trained under former UFC fighter Roger Huerta and the Hickman brothers, Frank and George. It was in Thailand that Croden fell in love with the sport and realized she wanted to pursue MMA full time.

After returning to Canada, Croden decided to reduce her work hours to focus more on her training and fighting. She still manages to balance her job in emergency services with her training, stating, “And then I hop on the ambulance, to be able to pay my rent.”

Amateur and Professional Career

• Amateur Debut: September 2016, defeated Liz Jackson by TKO.
• Professional Debut: 2019, after competing in amateur bouts.
• Professional Record: 6 wins, 2 losses; 5 wins by KO, 1 by submission.

Croden has demonstrated resilience in her professional career. After a five-round decision loss to Jacqueline Cavalcanti for the Legacy Fighting Alliance bantamweight title in April 2023, Croden bounced back, winning two consecutive fights against Katharina Lehner and Ashley Deen.

Upcoming UFC Debut

With just over two months of preparation for her UFC debut, Croden expressed excitement about the opportunity. “It was a pretty surreal experience. I haven’t cried like that in a very long time,” she said. She is eager to showcase her skills, noting that all her victories have been finishes with no stoppages in her professional losses.

Croden stands at 5 feet 10 inches tall, giving her a three-inch height advantage over Lisboa. She anticipates a striking-heavy matchup, given Lisboa’s background as a two-time Muay Thai world champion. However, Croden is confident in her training and footwork, which she believes will set her apart during the fight.

Training and Support

During her preparation, Croden has spent time training in Las Vegas at Xtreme Couture and the UFC Performance Institute. Her main training partner, Hailey Cowan, will corner her for the fight. Croden’s training history includes stints at various gyms, enhancing her skills for this significant opportunity.

As she looks ahead to fight night, Croden is grateful for the support from friends and family, saying, “There’s tons of people coming out.” She is ready to face Lisboa in what she describes as “walking into the lion’s den.”

Melissa Croden’s leap into MMA has been a journey of dedication and passion, leading her to this exciting moment in the UFC. Fans and supporters await her debut with anticipation, eager to see what the future holds for this aspiring fighter.