Canada is 3-0 on Dana White\u2019s Contender Series in 2025, with Ontario\u2019s Cody Chovancek the latest name to find success.<\/p>\n
Originally hailing from Petrolia, not far from the Michigan border, Chovancek (9-0) now trains with Niagara Top Team, the same gym that has helped develop the careers of Jasmine Jasudavicius, Aaron Jeffery, and Mike Malott.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow that the UFC is coming back to Canada more often, we\u2019ve got to get more guys on the show. It\u2019s a talent-packed regional scene, and you\u2019re going to see more guys like me coming up, representing Canada,\u201d predicted Chovancek, speaking with media outlets including Cageside Press following his fight with Raphael Uchegbu, which he ended via knockout early in the third round.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means the world to me to be able to represent my country,\u201d the bantamweight added.<\/p>\n
There was no concern about losing out on a contract, \u201cnot after a KO like that,\u201d Chovancek added. \u201cDana [White, UFC CEO and President] said to me \u2018it takes two to tango,\u2019 and I felt like my opponent was kind of trying to stall a little bit. But I knew I\u2019d be able to find that finish.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his down time, Chovancek enjoys the outdoors, and brags he\u2019s the best fisherman in the sport. \u201cI\u2019m the real best fisher in MMA, and I\u2019ll fight or fish to prove that,\u201d he exclaimed. Gregor Gillespie<\/a> might have something to say about that, but you can check out Cody\u2019s fishing exploits via Octagon Outdoors<\/a>, he noted, adding a little plug.<\/p>\n With UFC Vancouver arriving next month, there\u2019s a big opportunity for Chovancek to make his promotional debut there. \u201cIt\u2019s a little soon, there\u2019s some things, I\u2019ve got to talk to my coaches and talk to camp and everything, but I would love to get on the next Canadian card for sure,\u201d he said on that front. \u201cI\u2019ll be there regardless; my teammates both Jasmine and Mike are fighting on that card, and I don\u2019t know if he\u2019s been announced yet, but I hope they get Serhiy on that card too, Serhiy Sidey. That\u2019s just another stacked card coming to Canada, so it\u2019s great for Canadian MMA fans. There\u2019s such a huge fan base there. it\u2019s going to be a great card.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch the full DWCS 2025 Week 6 post-fight media appearance with Cody Chovancek above.<\/p>\n