Melissa Croden

Melissa Croden, known to fans as "Scare," is a Canadian mixed martial artist who competes in the women's bantamweight division of the UFC.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Croden built her career in the tight-knit Canadian regional scene before reaching the sport's top level. She trains out of Raven House MMA in Calgary, where she developed the counter-striking style and long underused wrestling and grappling that have become hallmarks of her game. Away from the cage, Croden earned her Primary Care Paramedic certification and has worked in emergency medicine for Alberta Health Services, experience she has credited with sharpening her composure under pressure.

Croden holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and began her professional MMA career in 2019, cutting her teeth with promotions such as Z Promotions, Titan Fighting Championship, and Pallas Athena Women's Fighting Championship, where she won the bantamweight title. Her run through the regional ranks included finishes over Jolinne Maisonneuve, Elizabeth Schroder, Jackie MacLean, and Cornelia Holm, and she later signed with the Legacy Fighting Alliance

Stats last updated: August 09, 2026