TKO Major League MMA is a Canadian mixed martial arts promotion established in 2000, it was originally broadcast on RDS and later on Fight Network. Formerly known as the Universal Combat Challenge (UCC), it was the first mixed martial arts promotion in Canada, before eventually rebranding to TKO Major League MMA in 2003. For years it was the largest MMA promotion in Canada, before eventually going on hiatus for 8 years.^[1] Returning in 2016, since then it has signed a deal with the UFC to be broadcast on the promotion's streaming service UFC Fight Pass.^[2]

History

Founded in early 2000 by Stephane Patry and Universal Combat Challenge (UCC) would allow wrestling, boxing, kickboxing, grappling, their bouts consisted of two 10 minute rounds. The rules at the beginning also allowed for knee's and kick's(soccer kick) to the head of a downed opponent. Following the success of the first event they would announce that the promotion would be instituting Canadian Championship titles as well as the World Championship titles beginning at UCC 2 due to international interest, this would last until 2005 when the promotion unified the titles. UFC/TKO started off with 6 weight classes, 265 lb, formerly unlimited), Light Heavyweight (205 lb), Middleweight(185 lb), Welterweight(170 lb), Lightweight(155 lb) and Super Lightweight(now known as Featherweight 145 lb). Bantamweight would be added in 2007 and following the promotions return from hiatus, Flyweight(125 lb) and 2 female weight classes were introduced, Woman's Flyweight and Woman's Straw-weight (125 lb and 115 lb).

TKO/UCC was the first promotion of its kind in Canada and was host to an abundance of Canada's top MMA talent for close to two decades, in 2003 the organization would be rebranded as TKO Major League MMA. In the promotions early days they used a boxing-style ring for their contests, before eventually being one of the first to adopt the UFC-spec octagon. The promotion has organized 62 events involving over 620 matches.

Universal Combat Challenge

On June 2, 2000, UCC would hold their first event in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The promotion ran 21 events under the UCC banner before rebranding to TKO Major League MMA in 2003.

Events

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TKO Major League MMA

On September 6, 2003, TKO had its first show under the new brand name. 41 events have been held under the TKO banner with the previous UCC events being added being added onto TKO.

Events

^[4]

Events

Scheduled events

Past events

^[5]

Return

The company's return to action would be announced with TKO 36: Resurrection on November 4, 2016. This coming after 8 years of inactivity. With founder Stephane Patry returning it quickly regained its status as one of the top Mixed Martial Arts promotions in Canada. Since then it has held 14 event's all in Quebec, the return would see the introduction of new weight classes including female weight classes which had previously been absent from the promotion.^[6]

Broadcast deal

In August 2016 it was announced that TKO Major League and the Ultimate Fighting Championship had signed a deal for TKO events to be broadcast on the UFC's digital streaming service, UFC Fight Pass.^[7] TKO MMA had its first event on Fightpass on November 4, 2016. The promotion also acts as a feeder organization for the UFC with the company often offering contracts to TKO Major League Champions.^[8] The prelims still air on Fight Network.

Current issues

In 2019, TKO Major League had to cancel TKO Major League 46: Pessoa vs. Gane due to 18 fighter's being injured or ill well trying to book the card.^[9] The Second incident occurred when President of the organization Stephane Patry was hospitalized, the promotion had to cancel its second event of the year TKO Major League 49: Matsuba vs. Gordan postponing it. The Covid-19 pandemic would force the organization to remain inactive from 2020 to 2021, as the company decided to restructure before returning to action. Athletes under contract with TKO have all obtained permission to fight outside of organization during this time, athletes with valid contracts have not left TKO.^[10]

Champions

Division	Upper weight limit	Champion	Since	Title Defenses
Heavyweight	265 lb (120 kg)	Ciryl Gane	Signed with UFC	2
Light Heavyweight	205 lb (93 kg)	Marc-André Barriault	Signed with UFC	0
Middleweight	185 lb (84 kg)	Marc-André Barriault	Signed with UFC	1
Welterweight	170 lb (77 kg)	Jesse Ronson	Signed with UFC	0
Lightweight	155 lb (70 kg)	Jesse Ronson	Signed with UFC	0
Featherweight	145 lb (66 kg)	Charles Jourdain	Signed with UFC	0
Bantamweight	135 lb (61 kg)	Taylor Lapilus	May 24, 2019 (TKO 48)	0
Flyweight	125 lb (57 kg)	Malcolm Gordon	Signed with UFC	0
Women's Bantamweight	135 lb (61 kg)	Vacant
Women's Flyweight	125 lb (57 kg)	Mandy Böhm	Signed with UFC	0
Women's Strawweight	115 lb (52 kg)	Ashley Nichols	June 16, 2016 (TKO 39)	0

TKO World Heavyweight Championship

120 kg (265 lb)

No.	Name	Event	Date	Defenses
1	Dave Beneteau draws. Elvis Sinosic	TKO Major League 1: The New Beginning Montreal, Quebec, Canada	June 2, 2000	Inaugural World Heavyweight title fight ended in a draw, no Champion crowned
2	Sean Alvarez def. Mike Radnov	TKO Major League 10: Battle For The Belts 2002 Montreal, Quebec, Canada	June 15, 2002	Signed with UFC
3	Jacob Conliffe promoted to World Heavyweight Champion in 2005	TKO Major League 20: Champion vs. Champion Montreal, Quebec, Canada	April 2, 2005	N/A
4	Icho Larenas def. Jacob Conliffe	TKO Major League 20: Champion vs. Champion Montreal, Quebec, Canada	April 2, 2005	N/A
5	Krzysztof Soszynski def. Icho Larenas	TKO Major League 27: Reincarnation Montreal, Quebec, Canada	September 29, 2006	Signed with UFC
The promotion was on hiatus 2008–2016.
6	Adam Dyczka No Contest. Bakary Sakho	TKO Major League 41: Champions Laval, Quebec, Canada	December 8, 2017	Vacant Heavyweight title fight ended in a No Contest, no Champion crowned
7	Ciryl Gane def. Bobby Sullivan	TKO Major League :TKO Fight Night 1 Montreal, Quebec, Canada	August 2, 2018	1. def. Adam Dyczka at TKO Major League 44: Hunter vs. Barriault on Sept. 29, 2018 2. def. Roggers Souza at TKO Major League 48: Souza vs. Gane on May. 24, 2019
Gane vacated title when he signed with UFC.

TKO Canadian Heavyweight Championship

120 kg (265 lb)

No.	Name	Event	Date	Defenses
1	Jacob Conliffe def. Todd Gouwenburg	TKO Major League 18: Impact Montreal, Quebec, Canada	November 26, 2004	N/A
Title unified with the World Heavyweight Championship in 2005.

TKO World Light Heavyweight Championship

93 kg (205 lb)

No.	Name	Event	Date	Defenses
1	Stephan Potvin def. Rob Tallack	TKO Major League 1: The New Beginning Montreal, Quebec, Canada	June 2, 2000	1. def. Barney Schisler at TKO Major League 3: Battle For The Belts on Jan. 27, 2001 2. def. Joe Doerksen at TKO Major League 6: Redemption on Oct. 19, 2001
2	Jeremy Horn def. Stephan Potvin	TKO Major League 7: Bad Boyz Montreal, Quebec, Canada	January 25, 2002	N/A
The promotion was on hiatus 2008–2016.
3	Marc-André Barriault def. Adam Hunter	Montreal, Quebec, Canada	September 29, 2018	N/A
Vacated Title to sign with UFC.

TKO Canadian Light Heavyweight Championship

93 kg (205 lb)

No.	Name	Event	Date	Defenses
1	Jeromie Sills def. Stephan Potvin	TKO Major League 3: Battle For The Belts Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada	January 27, 2001	N/A
2	Gary Armburst def. Jeromie Sills	TKO Major League 4: Return Of The Super Strikers Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada	May 4, 2001	Relinquished title and retired 6-0
3	Jeromie Sills def. Yan Pellerin	TKO Major League 7: Bad Boyz Montreal, Quebec, Canada	January 25, 2002	N/A
4	Steve Vigneault def. Jeromie Sills	TKO Major League 10: Battle For The Belts 2002 Montreal, Quebec, Canada	June 15, 2002	N/A
5	Patrick Côte def. Steve Vigneault	TKO Major League 14: Road Warriors Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada	November 29, 2003	1. def. Bill Manhood at TKO Major League 16: Infernal on May. 22, 2004 2. def. Ricardeau Francois at TKO Major League 19: Rage on Jan. 29, 2005
Title unified with the World Light Heavyweight Championship in 2005.

TKO World Middleweight Championship

84 kg (185 lb)

No.	Name	Event	Date	Defenses
1	Claudionor da Silva Fontinelle def. Dirk Waardenburg	TKO Major League 1: The New Beginning Montreal, Quebec, Canada	June 2, 2000	1. def. Tadarius Thomas TKO Major League 3: Battle For The Belts at on Jan. 27, 2001
3	Donald Ouimet def. Claudionor da Silva Fontinelle	TKO Major League 4: Return Of The Super Strikers Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada	May 12, 2001	N/A
3	Jesse Jones def. Donald Ouimet	TKO Major League 8: Fast And Furious Rimouski, Quebec, Canada	March 30, 2002	N/A
4	David Loiseau def. Jesse Jones	TKO Major League 11: The Next Level Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada	October 11, 2002	1. def. Tony Fryklund at TKO Major League 12: Adrenaline on Jan. 25, 2003
5	Jeremy Horn def. David Loiseau	TKO Major League 15: Unstoppable Montreal, Quebec, Canada	February 28, 2004	Signed with UFC in 2005
6	Patrick Côte def. Jason Day	TKO Major League 29: Repercussion Montreal Quebec, Canada	June 1, 2007	Signed With UFC
The promotion was on hiatus 2008–2016.
7	Marc-André Barriault def. Strahinja Gavrilovic	TKO Major League 41: Champions Montreal, Quebec, Canada	December 8, 2017	1. def. Brendan Kornberger at TKO Major League 43: Barriault vs. Kornberger on May 4, 2018
Marc-André Barriault vacated title when he to sign with UFC.

TKO Canadian Middleweight Championship

84 kg (185 lb)

No.	Name	Event	Date	Defenses
1	David Loiseau def. Steve Vigneault	TKO Major League 2: Moment of Truth Montreal, Quebec, Canada	August 12, 2000	N/A
2	Jason St.Louis def. David Loiseau	TKO Major League 3: Battle For The Belts Montreal, Quebec, Canada	January 27, 2001	N/A
3	Steve Vigneault def. Jason St.Louis	TKO Major League 4: Return Of The Super Strikers Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada	May 12, 2001	1. def. Mike Kitchen at TKO Major League 6: Redemption on Oct. 19, 2001 2. def. J.P. Cantin at TKO Major League 8: Fast And Furious on Mar. 30, 2002 3. def. Sean Pierson at TKO Major League 13: Ultimate Rush on September 6, 2003
4	Chris Fontaine def. Steve Vigneault	TKO Major League 15: Unstoppable Montreal, Quebec, Canada	February 28, 2004	N/A
5	David Loiseau def. Chris Fontaine	TKO Major League 16: Infernal Quebec City, Quebec, Canada	May 24, 2004	N/A
Title unified with the World Middleweight Championship in 2005.

TKO World Welterweight Championship

77 kg (170 lb)

No.	Name	Event	Date	Defenses
1	John Alessio def. Sean Pierson	TKO Major League 7: Bad Boyz Montreal, Quebec, Canada	January 25, 2002	N/A
2	Jason Black def. John Alessio	TKO Major League 12: Adrenaline Montreal, Quebec, Canada	January 25, 2003	Vacated the title
3	Jesse Bongfeldt def. Chris Clements	TKO Major League 30: Apocalypse Montreal, Quebec, Canada	September 28, 2007	1. def. TJ Grant at TKO Major League 32: Ultimatum on February. 28, 2008
Promotion was on hiatus from 2008 to 2016.
4	Jesse Ronson def. Micheal Dufort	TKO Major League 44: Hunter vs. Barriault Quebec City, Quebec, Canada	September 29, 2018	N/A
Ronson vacated title when he signed with PFL.

TKO Canadian Welterweight Championship

77 kg (170 lb)

No.	Name	Event	Date	Defenses
1	Justin Bruckmann def. Joel Leblanc	TKO Major League 8: Fast And Furious Rimouski, Quebec, Canada	March 30, 2002	N/A
2	Georges St-Pierre def. Justin Bruckmann	TKO Major League 10: Battle For The Belts 2002 Montreal, Quebec, Canada	June 15, 2002	1. def. Travis Galbraith at TKO Major League 11: The Next Level on Oct. 11, 2002
Title unified with the World Welterweight Championship in 2005.

TKO World Lightweight Championship

70 kg (155 lb)

No.	Name	Event	Date	Defenses
1	Sean Pierson def. Charles Ali Nestor	TKO Major League 3: Battle For The Belts Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada	January 27, 2001	Vacated the title, went to Welterweight
2	Duane Ludwig def. Jens Pulver	TKO Major League 11: The Next Level Montreal, Quebec, Canada	October 11, 2002	Vacated Title to sign with UFC
3	Donald Ouimet def. James Martinez	TKO Major League 20: Champion vs. Champion Montreal, Quebec, Canada	April 2, 2005	N/A
4	Sam Stout def. Donald Ouimet	TKO Major League 21: Collision Montreal, Quebec, Canada	July 15, 2005	1. def. Donald Ouimet at TKO Major League 23: Extreme on November 5, 2005 2. def. Jay Estrada TKO Major League 27: Reincarnation at on Sept. 29, 2006 3. def. Fabio Holanda at TKO Major League 28: Inevitable on Februar 9, 2006 4. def. Martin Grandmont at TKO Major League 30: Apocalypseon Sept. 28, 2007
Stout vacated when he signed with UFC.
Promotion was on hiatus from 2008 to 2016.
5	Jesse Ronson def. Derek Gauthier	TKO Major League 41: Champions Montreal, Quebec, Canada	December 8, 2017	N/A
Ronson vacated title when he signed with PFL.

TKO Canadian Lightweight Championship

70 kg (155 lb)

No.	Name	Event	Date	Defenses
1	J.F. Bolduc def. J.T. McCrathy	TKO Major League 2: Moment of Truth Montreal, Quebec, Canada	August 12, 2000	N/A
2	Phil Hughes def. J.F. Bolduc	TKO Major League 3: Battle For The Belts Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada	January 27, 2001	N/A
3	Justin Bruckmann def. Phil Hughes	TKO Major League 6: Redemption Montreal, Quebec, Canada	October 19, 2001	Went up to Welterweight then eventually vacated the title
4	Dave Goulet def. Shawn Davidson	TKO Major League 14: Road Warriors Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada	November 29, 2003	N/A
5	Donald Ouimet def. Dave Goulet	TKO Major League 16: Infernal Quebec City, Quebec, Canada	May 22, 2004	1. def. Dave Goulet at TKO Major League 17: Revenge on Sept. 25, 2004 2. def. Blake Fredrickson at TKO Major League 18: Impact on Nov. 26, 2004
Promoted to TKO World Lightweight Championship during unification.
Title unified with the World Lightweight Championship in 2005.

TKO World Super Lightweight Championship

70 kg (145 lb)

No.	Name	Event	Date	Defenses
1	Wagnney Fabiano def. Charles Ali Nestor	TKO Major League 1: The New Beginning Montreal, Quebec, Canada	June 2, 2000	1. def. Tommy Lee at TKO Major League 16: Infernal on May. 22, 2004
Vacated title in 2005
2	Mark Hominick def. Stephane Vigneault	TKO Major League 20: Champion vs. Champion Laval, Quebec, Canada	April 2, 2005	1. def. Ryan Diaz At TKO Major League 22: Lionheart on Sept. 30, 2005 2. def. Naoji Fujimoto at TKO Major League 24: Eruption on Jan. 28, 2006
Weight class was renamed to Featherweight in 2006(see below).

TKO Canadian Super Lightweight Championship

70 kg (145 lb)

No.	Name	Event	Date	Defenses
1	Richard Nancoo def. Jay Winger	TKO Major League 3: Battle For The Belts Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada	January 25, 2001	1. def. Yves Jabouin at TKO Major League 6: Redemption on Oct. 19, 2001 2. def. Steve Claveau at TKO Major League 8: Fast And Furious on Mar. 30, 2002
2	Mark Hominick def. Richard Nancoo	TKO Major League 10: Battle For The Belts 2002 Montreal, Quebec, Canada	June 15, 2002	1. def. Steve Claveau at TKO Major League 11: The Next Level on Oct. 11, 2002 2. def. Stephane Laliberte at TKO Major League 12: Adrenaline on Jan. 25, 2003 3. def. Ryan Diaz at TKO Major League 13: Ultimate Rush on September 6, 2003 4. def. David Guigui at TKO Major League 15: Unstoppable on Feb. 28, 2004
3	Shane Rice def. Mark Hominick	TKO Major League 17: Revenge Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada	September 25, 2004	N/A
Rice vacated title due to injury.
4	Stephane Vigneault def. Phillipe Lagace	TKO Major League 18: Impact Montreal, Quebec, Canada	November 26, 2004	N/A
5	Mark Hominick def. Shane Rice	TKO Major League 19: Rage Montreal, Quebec, Canada	January 25, 2005	N/A
Promoted to TKO World Super Lightweight Championship during unification.
Title unified with the World Super Lightweight Championship in 2005.

TKO World Featherweight Championship

70 kg (145 lb)

No.	Name	Event	Date	Defenses
1	Mark Hominick def. Naoji Fujimoto	TKO Major League 24: Eruption Laval, Quebec, Canada	January 28, 2006	At TKO 25 the promotion began to refer to the division's modern name Featherweight
the TKO World Super Lightweight Championship began to be referred to as the TKO World Featherweight Championship.
2	Hatsu Hioki def. Mark Hominick	TKO Major League 25: Confrontation Montreal, Quebec, Canada	May 5, 2006	1. def. Mark Hominick at TKO Major League 28: Inevitable on February 1, 2007 2. def. Thierry Quenneville at TKO Major League 35: Quenneville vs. Hioki on October 3, 2008
The promotion was on hiatus 2008–2016.
3	T.J. Laramie def. Charles Jourdain	TKO Major League 41: Champions Montreal, Quebec, Canada	December 8, 2017	1. def. João Luis Nogueira at TKO Major League 42: Nogueira vs. Laramie on Mar. 16, 2018
4	Alex Morgan def. T.J. Laramie	TKO Major League :TKO Fight Night 1 Montreal, Quebec, Canada	August 2, 2018	N/A
5	Charles Jourdain def. Alex Morgan	TKO Major League 45: Jourdain vs. Morgan Montreal, Quebec, Canada	December 7, 2018	1. def. Damien Lapilus at TKO Major League 47: Jourdain vs. Lapilus on Apr. 11, 2019
Jourdain vacated title when he signed with UFC.

TKO World Bantamweight Championship

61 kg (135 lb)

No.	Name	Event	Date	Defenses
1	Adrian Wooley def. Danny Martinez	TKO Major League 34: Sims vs. Bosse Montreal, Quebec, Canada	June 7, 2008	N/A
2	Noah Thomas def. Adrian Wooley	TKO Major League 35: Quenneville vs. Hioki Quebec City, Quebec, Canada	October 3, 2008	N/A
The promotion was on hiatus 2008–2016.
3	Jesse Arnett def. Dimitri Waardenburg	TKO Major League 42: Nogueira vs. Laramie Laval, Quebec, Canada	December 8, 2017	1. def. Sebastian Ruiz at TKO Major League 43: Barriault vs. Kornberger on May 4, 2018
4	Nate Maness def. Jesse Arnett	TKO Major League 44: Hunter vs. Barriault Quebec City, Quebec, Canada	September 29, 2018	N/A
5	Taylor Lapilus def. Nate Maness	TKO Major League 48: Souza vs. Gane Gatineau, Quebec, Canada	May 24, 2019	N/A

TKO World Flyweight Championship

57 kg (125 lb)

No.	Name	Event	Date	Defenses
1	Malcolm Gordon def. Jordan Graham	TKO Major League 42: Nogueira vs. Laramie Laval, Quebec, Canada	February 16, 2018	1. def. James Mancini at TKO Major League :TKO Fight Night 1 on August 2, 2018 2. def. Yoni Sherbatov at TKO Major League 47: Jourdain vs. Lapilus on Apr. 11, 2019

TKO World Women's Flyweight Championship

57 kg (125 lb)

No.	Name	Event	Date	Defenses
1	Mandy Böhm def. Jade Masson-Wong	TKO Major League 48: Sousa vs Gane Gatineau, Quebec, Canada	May 24, 2019	N/A

TKO Women's Strawweight Championship

52 kg (115 lb)

No.	Name	Event	Date	Defenses
1	Ashley Nichols def. Lindsay Garbatt	TKO Major League 39: Ultimatum Saint-Roch-de-l'Achigan, Quebec, Canada	June 16, 2016	N/A

Notable alumni

Georges St-Pierre
Jonathan Goulet
Jeremy Horn
Duane Ludwig
Sean Pierson
Elvis Sinosic
Dave Beneteau
Rich Franklin
Ivan Menjivar
Urijah Faber
David Loiseau
Baret Yoshida
Justin Bruckmann
Wagnney Fabiano
Steve Vigneault
Jens Pulver
Sean Sherk
Hatsu Hioki
John Alessio
Joe Doerksen
Shonie Carter
Patrick Côte
Jason Black
Jeff Curran
Mark Hominick
Sam Stout
Chris Horodecki
Tony Fryklund
Chris Clements
Steve Bossé
Krzysztof Soszynski
Ciryl Gane
Jesse Ronson
Charles Jourdain
Marc-André Barriault
Nate Maness
Taylor Lapilus
Malcolm Gordon