Melissa Croden, the upcoming UFC debutant, received a surge of excitement from Alex Pereira, the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion, who admired her archery skills in a video posted on the UFC Canada Instagram account. Croden, set to face Tainara Lisboa at UFC Vancouver on October 18th, expressed her gratitude for Pereira’s recognition during an interview with MMA Canada.
Croden shared her feelings about being acknowledged by a fighter she looks up to, admitting that it felt surreal. “It was really cool [laughs]. I was [laughs], yeah, it’s kind of like you get a little bit of imposter syndrome,” she reflected. Croden emphasized that while she is accustomed to being around well-known fighters—having spent time at the Performance Institute where she regularly encounters notable figures—this level of public acknowledgment was a new experience for her.
As she prepares for her debut, Croden maintains a grounded perspective on the recognition she’s garnered. She acknowledges the excitement while also reminding herself of the primary focus: “a fight’s a fight” and “the world still spins.”
This enthusiasm, coupled with practical wisdom about the sport, reflects Croden’s mindset as she embarks on this significant milestone in her career. Fans are eagerly awaiting her match-up against Lisboa, which promises to be an intriguing clash in the octagon.