As the mixed martial arts world turns its attention toward the upcoming fight card in Alberta, Canada, rising bantamweight contender Melissa Croden is once again preparing to perform in front of her fellow compatriots. Scheduled for October 17 at UFC Fight Night Edmonton, Croden aims to continue her impressive ascent up the 135-pound division ranks. Standing directly in her path is fellow ranked bantamweight Chelsea Chandler, setting the stage for a high-stakes divisional matchup that promises explosive action.
Having recently split her preparation between elite training environments at Xtreme Couture and the UFC Performance Institute, Croden is entering this weekend with a sharp focus and high momentum. Fighting on a Canadian card is an experience she particularly relishes, noting the unique atmosphere and the profound backing she receives when competing on home soil.
When discussing what it means to return to competition in her native region, Croden shared her enthusiasm for the partisan crowd that awaits her in Alberta.
“I am super excited to be able to fight in Alberta, the motherland for me, amongst a lot of fighter friends that I have made over the years,” Croden said via MMA Canada. “But yeah, I would fight only on Canadian cards if I could. So far it’s worked out like that. I’ve only had to fight in Vegas once. But yeah, it’s a different vibe in there, man. Like when you walk out and you know that everyone is hopefully on your side seemingly. Yeah, it really pushes the energy, gives you a lot of energy while you’re in there. I never really thought about it before experiencing it, but I always look forward to it now.”
That energy will be vital as Croden navigates the pressures that come with a spot in the UFC’s official bantamweight rankings hierarchy. Entering the upper echelon of a division is a significant milestone for any mixed martial artist, yet Croden approaches her standing with a grounded and pragmatic mindset. While acknowledging that her position in the top ten brings added scrutiny to her upcoming performances, she remains acutely aware of how volatile the sport can be on any given night.
When asked if her placement in the bantamweight rankings emboldened her confidence heading into Saturday’s showdown, Croden offered a candid perspective on the unpredictable nature of elite combat sports.
“It actually kind of adds a bit of a pressure to the next fight in a way,” Croden explained via MMA Canada. “I try not to think about it too much ’cause the rankings can change so quickly. I try not to put too much meaning on a number because you just never know what’s going to happen in there. Like there are certain punches that land that become equalizers and you’ve seen it time and time again where the underdog defeats somebody when they were a huge underdog in a fight and it’s shocked the world.”
Croden elaborated on the chaotic reality of professional fighting, pointing out that even the most meticulous training camps cannot completely insulate athletes from the random variables that unfold inside the Octagon.
“To me, it isn’t surprising when those things happen,” she continued. “I mean it is, but at the same time it’s not surprising when those things happen. Because fighting is such a weird sport that way where weird things happen in there. Like you don’t know what version of yourself is going to show up. I mean, we train and do our best to ensure that we do everything right, but it’s chaos. It’s chaos in there and you’re trying to find the control within that chaos constantly through adaptation, through your training, through being calm, seeing properly in there. It’s just weird.”
To illustrate the sudden shifts in perception and physical capability that fighters endure during a bout, Croden referenced the unpredictable sensory challenges competitors can face under fire, drawing on both personal gym experiences and notable moments from fellow fighters.
“Like Charles Jourdain, when he fought, he said that he had enough because he couldn’t see,” Croden noted. “Like he must have gotten punched in the eye or something. You don’t know. Because I’ve been punched in the eye. It wasn’t an eye poke. I’ve been punched in the eye before in sparring and you literally can’t see for a few minutes and then that kind of stuff will accumulate. So, you just never know what people are feeling in there. Yeah, I mean I am very proud to be in the top 10 and I never imagined that it would happen this quickly, but yeah, I’m taking Chelsea Chandler on as if she is in the number one spot.”
Melissa Croden touts Chandler’s great resume but knows the recipe for victory at UFC Edmonton
Standing across the cage from Croden is an opponent with a formidable reputation and a wealth of Octagon experience. Chelsea Chandler enters the matchup with a ledger featuring notable divisional names such as Priscila Cachoeira, Joselyne Edwards, Norma Dumont, and Yana Santos. Croden is under no illusions regarding the toughness and durability of her opponent, recognizing that Chandler’s extensive resume speaks volumes about her willingness to test herself against top-tier competition.
Offering her assessment of Chandler’s diverse skillset and martial arts background, Croden highlighted the specific threats her opponent brings to the matchup while maintaining a steadfast commitment to her own game plan.
“She’s got a great resume, man,” Croden said. “Like I think that she’s very durable, a very tough fighter. She certainly is not afraid of taking on a challenge. So I don’t think she’s going to be afraid of me or anything. Which is fine. But yeah, she has a good, solid background in jiu-jitsu. I believe she is training under the Gracie Barra banner. So I just know that she’s well-rounded. I know that she’s a southpaw. But again, my focus is on ‘what can I do?’ I am aware of what she can do.”
Rather than becoming overly consumed by the tactical wrinkles and southpaw tendencies of her adversary, Croden has chosen to delegate much of the film study to her coaching staff at Xtreme Couture and the UFC Performance Institute. By placing her trust in her team’s strategic vision, Croden has been able to keep her daily routine simple, maintaining a singular focus on imposing her own strengths when the cage door closes in Edmonton.
“I need to focus on how do I make this fight my fight?” Croden concluded. “So, I’ve been focusing on not so much what she’s capable of doing, but what am I capable of doing? How to implement my game plans. So, that’s kind of the mentality I have. My coaches do watch film on her more so than I do. So, I put a lot of trust into them to kind of guide me in the correct direction. Yeah, every day I just put my head down and work.”
