Canadian mixed martial artist Melissa Croden is scheduled to compete on home soil once again as she faces Darya Zheleznyakova in a bantamweight bout at UFC Winnipeg. The event will take place on April 18, 2026, at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, marking Croden’s third UFC fight and second in Canada.
Details of Croden vs. Zheleznyakova Bout and Fighters’ Backgrounds
The UFC confirmed the matchup on Tuesday, highlighting Croden’s continued presence in the promotion since transitioning from the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA). Croden, with a professional record of 7-3, secured a win against Tainara Lisboa at UFC Vancouver last October but suffered a unanimous decision loss to Luana Santos in December. Born in Toronto and currently based in Alberta, Croden brings experience and hometown support to the UFC Winnipeg card.
Her opponent, Darya Zheleznyakova, is a Russian fighter with a 10-2 record, including a 2-1 UFC record. Zheleznyakova’s notable wins in the octagon include victories over Montserrat Rendon and Melissa Mullins, with a single loss to Ailin Perez. She also holds a win over UFC veteran Liana Jojua under the ARES FC banner, reinforcing her status as a formidable opponent.
Additional UFC Winnipeg Matchups Announced
Alongside the Croden-Zheleznyakova bout, UFC officials announced other confirmed fights for the upcoming event. The card will be headlined by welterweight contenders Gilbert Burns and Mike Malott. Other reported matchups include John Castañeda versus Mark Vologdin, Jasmine Jasudavicius against Karine Silva, Allan Nascimento facing Mitch Raposo, and Choi Dong-hun competing with André Lima.
Significance of the Event and What’s Ahead
Melissa Croden’s fight at UFC Winnipeg represents a key opportunity for her to build momentum within the bantamweight division while performing in front of a supportive Canadian audience. For Zheleznyakova, the bout is a chance to continue establishing herself among UFC contenders. The event promises to provide several competitive matchups with fighters like Gilbert Burns and Mike Malott headlining, drawing attention to the growing talent within the promotion and offering fans a compelling Fight Night showcase in Manitoba.
True North Strong 😤🍁 More Canadian action on route to UFC Winnipeg!
🇨🇦 @JasJasudavicius vs @KillerKarine 🇧🇷
🇨🇦 @ScareCroden vs Darya Zheleznyakova 🇷🇺Register Interest 👉 https://t.co/4T0FbXh4xg 🎟️ pic.twitter.com/kX8XJAsTFf
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 24, 2026
