Melissa Croden Record: 8-3-0

LFA run

The LFA stretch tested her against rising talent. In April 2023 she went the full five rounds with unbeaten prospect Jacqueline Cavalcanti in a headlining bout, dropping a unanimous decision that nonetheless showed her championship-level durability. She bounced back in a big way, stopping the experienced Katharina Lehner by third-round TKO in October 2023 and finishing Ashley Deen with knees and elbows in October 2024. That pair of stoppage wins over seasoned opposition earned Croden her UFC contract.

UFC arrival

Croden made the most of her debut, stopping Brazil's Tainara Lisboa by third-round TKO in October 2025 in front of a Canadian crowd. She ran into a tougher night in December 2025, dropping a unanimous decision to Luana Santos, but answered immediately in April 2026 with a poised unanimous-decision win over Darya Zheleznyakova to push her record to 8-3 and steady her footing on the roster, proving she could grind out a victory when the finish wasn't there.

Fighting style

Croden is one of the heaviest hitters in her division, with an 88% finish rate that tells the story: six of her eight wins have come by knockout or TKO, plus one submission. She uses her length and a forward-pressing pace to break opponents with strikes from range and in the clinch, where her knees and elbows have ended fights. The honest counterpoint is that all three of her losses have gone to decision against technical opponents who could neutralize her power and out-point her over distance – though notably, she has never been finished herself.

Career highlights

• UFC debut finish — third-round TKO of Tainara Lisboa in October 2025, a statement win before a home Canadian audience.
• Paramedic-turned-prospect — reached the UFC while still working in emergency medical services, an unusual and inspiring path.
• Knockout power — six TKO/KO wins and an 88% finish rate, among the highest in the bantamweight division.