Category Archives: LFA

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA CELEBRATES ITS 50th EVENT IN MINNESOTA WITH A  MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT

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LFA 50 – ALLEN vs. HILEY
 
 
MAIN EVENT:
“ALL IN”
BRENDAN ALLEN
vs.
“THE AMAZING”
TIM HILEY
 
MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE 
 
 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st LIVE on AXS TV
 
LIVE at the NEW 
MYSTIC LAKE CENTER
PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA
 
Tickets are on sale NOW through MysticLake.com

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – LFA CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will celebrate its historic 50th televised event in Minnesota by crowning a new middleweight champion at LFA 50. This event will also kick off an action-packed fall fight season, which starts on the third week of September.

 

 

 

The main event of LFA 50 will feature a middleweight title fight when two-time LFA title challenger Brendan “All In” Allen faces top undefeated prospect “The Amazing” Tim Hiley for the vacant strap. LFA 50 – Allen vs. Hiley takes place Friday, September 21st at the new Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake, Minnesota. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

“I am excited to celebrate our 50th televised event at the state of the art Mystic Lake Center in Minnesota”, stated Soares. “LFA has produced fifty nationally televised MMA events faster than any promotion in history. LFA 50 will be the third of four live nationally televised MMA events to take place inside Mystic Lake’s new world-class facility in 2018. Mystic Lake has been a fantastic partner and it will now host our LFA middleweight world title fight between Brendan Allen and Tim Hiley on September 21st.”

 

 

 

Tickets for LFA 50 – Allen vs. Hiley are available for purchase NOW at MysticLake.com.

 

 

 

Allen (9-3) returns to the LFA Octagon fresh off the most emphatic win of his career. The 22-year-old Louisianian and two-time LFA middleweight title challenger knocked out two-time Legacy FC middleweight title challenger Larry Crowe with a check hook KO that went viral in June after their headlining encounter at LFA 43. The man known as “All In” is now looking to do just that in his sixth appearance for the promotion. He also competed twice for Legacy FC before the promotion merged with RFA to create LFA and is fully aware of the stakes when he steps foot inside the LFA Octagon. His only setbacks have come to men currently competing in the UFC. The young Roufusport product has built a loyal fan base for being one of the most clinical finishers in the division. All nine of his victories have come via KO, TKO, or submission. He now hopes a third time’s a charm as he vies for LFA gold at LFA 50.

 

 

 

Hiley (7-0) will get his first LFA title shot after dominating in his first two fights for the promotion earlier this year. The 29-year-old has the same plan as Allen. He is looking to continue a proud LFA history of top middleweight prospects that win LFA titles and sign with the UFC. All four previous LFA middleweight champions have done just that. That illustrious list includes Eryk Anders, Markus Perez, Anthony Hernandez, and Ian Heinisch. “The Amazing” one looks to continue amazing LFA fight fans with his exciting skill set. Another layer of intrigue to his title fight with Allen is that both men train just a few miles from each other in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Hiley represents Pura Vida, home of UFC star Zak Ottow. Meanwhile, Allen fights out of Roufusport, home to UFC star Sergio Pettis. Both Ottow and Pettis became stars in the RFA before signing with the UFC. Hiley looks to start his own legacy at LFA 50.

 

 

 

 

Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):

 

 

 

Main Event | Middleweight Title Bout (185 lb)

– Brendan Allen (9-3) vs. Tim Hiley (7-0)

 

 

 

Co-Main Event | Heayweight Bout (265 lb)

– Brian Heden (31-16) vs. Raphael “Bebezão” Pessoa (8-0)

 

 

 

Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

– Ben Neumann (13-5) vs. Bobby Lee (8-2)

 

 

 

Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

– Ashkan Morvari (15-7) vs. Jason Witt (13-5)

 

 

 

Featherweight Bout (145 lb)

– Josh Marsh (4-1) vs. Dmitry Gerasimov (9-6)

 

 

 

In 2017, RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA have launched the careers of over 140 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.  In May 2018, the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.

 

 

 

LFA 50 will be the eighth LFA event to take place in the state of Minnesota. RFA and Legacy FC hosted a combined nine events in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” before the merger. Six of those events took place under the RFA banner inside the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel. The entire main card of LFA 50 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

In 2017 RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA launched the careers of over 130 athletes to reach the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.  In May of 2018 the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.

 

 

 

Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA MAKES FIRST TRIP TO THE NORTHEAST WITH A  WELTERWEIGHT SHOWDOWN

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LFA 49 – BRADY vs. URBINA
MAIN EVENT:
 
UNDEFEATED PROSPECT
SEAN BRADY
vs.
UNDEFEATED PROSPECT
GILBERT URBINA
 
WELTERWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
 
 
CO-MAIN EVENT:
 
UFC VETERAN
JONAVIN “THE SPIDER” WEBB
vs.
WWE TOUGH ENOUGH COMPETITOR
TANNER “THE HAMMER” SARACENO
 
WELTERWEIGHT WAR
 
 
PLUS THE MMA DEBUT OF
3-TIME USA NATIONAL BOXING CHAMPION
AND
ESPN “THE BODY ISSUE” ATHLETE
DANYELLE WOLF
vs.
LFA UPSET QUEEN
COURTNEY KING
 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th LIVE on AXS TV
Golden Nugget Casino, Hotel & Marina in Atlantic City.

in ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
 
Tickets on sale NOW through Ticketmaster.com

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – LFA CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will head to “The World’s Famous Playground” with a pair of welterweight duels at the top of LFA 49, when the promotion visits Atlantic City, New Jersey in September. This will be the LFA’s first trip to the northeast.

 

 

 

The main event of LFA 49 will feature a welterweight showdown when two of the sport’s most highly-touted prospects collide. The high-stakes headliner pairs Sean Brady and Gilbert Urbina in a battle of undefeated prospects. LFA 49 – Brady vs. Urbina takes place Friday, September 14th at the Golden Nugget Casino, Hotel & Marina in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

“I am excited to bring LFA to the northeast,” stated Soares. “Atlantic City is a great fight town with a long, storied history in prize fighting. On September 14th, LFA will add another chapter to the city’s combat sports history. LFA 49 will feature a top-tier main event between undefeated prospects Sean Brady and Gilbert Urbina, which takes place at the world-famous Golden Nugget Casino, Hotel & Marina in Atlantic City.”

 

 

 

Tickets for LFA 49 – Brady vs. Urbina are available for purchase NOW at Ticketmaster.com.

 

 

 

Brady (8-0) is the top prospect on the east coast and widely-considered one the best welterweight prospects in the world. He comes to LFA after winning all eight of his professional fights, which includes regional title fights in his last three contests. The Renzo Gracie Philly standout won his first title in May of last year by submission. He then defended it by submitting LFA vet Mike Jones this past October. The biggest win of his career, however, came this past March in his second title defense. This came against UFC vet and The Ultimate Fighter 16 winner Colton Smith. Brady defeated the four-time UFC vet  via Unanimous Decision. Now the 25-year-old Philadelphian has upped the ante by signing with LFA to face a fellow unbeaten prospect at LFA 49.

 

 

 

Urbina (5-0) is perhaps the only welterweight prospect that can match the intrigue surrounding Brady. This is due in large part to the fact that Gilbert Urbina, age 22, comes from a famous Texan fighting family. His older brother Hector Urbina, age 30, is a three-time UFC vet that was also a cast member on two seasons of the UFC’s hit reality television show The Ultimate Fighter (TUF 19 and TUF 25). Meanwhile, his other brother Elias Urbina, age 24, has competed on UFC President Dana White’s television series Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series as well as  The Ultimate Fighter as he was a cast member on TUF 23. Now Gilbert Urbina, after a quick submission victory at LFA 7, is looking to build his own legacy by securing a marquee win at LFA 49.

 

 

 

The co-main event of LFA 49 will also feature a welterweight clash when two of the division’s most exciting fighters look to make a statement during the LFA’s first trip to AC. They happen to be men used to bright lights and media attention. The first is Jonavin “The Spider” Webb (10-2), who is a teammate of Brady at Renzo Gracie Philly. Webb made a name for himself on the east coast before signing with the UFC in 2015. Webb is currently riding a two-fight win streak and will meet one of the flashiest fighters in the division. That would be Tanner “The Hammer” Saraceno (7-2). When Webb was fighting in the UFC, Saraceno was busy making a name for himself by competing on the sixth season of the WWE’s professional wrestling television series Tough Enough. Saraceno, who now lives in South Carolina, is eager to continue his rise in MMA by capturing the biggest win of his career at LFA 49.

 

 

 

The main card of LFA 49 will also feature one of the year’s most anticipated debuts in women’s MMA. That would be the debut of three-time USA national boxing champion Danyelle Wolf. In 2014, Wolf appeared in ESPN’s world-renowned “The Body Issue” alongside boxing legend and fellow southeastern Pennsylvania native Bernard Hopkins. Wolf was a three-sport athlete at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, where she competed in basketball, track (heptathlon), and field hockeybefore winning her three USA national boxing titles, Golden Gloves title (boxing), and IBJJF title (jiu-jitsu). Wolf competed at 152-pounds in boxing, but will be competing at 145-pounds in MMA. That next chapter in her career begins against LFA vet Courtney King at LFA 49. King is a well-known Upset Queen in LFA, who made a name for herself last summer by derailing the highly-anticipated debut of Colbey Northcutt, who is the older sister of UFC star Sage Northcutt. King stopped Northcutt via TKO at LFA 14 and will look to spring another upset at LFA 49.

 

 

 

 

Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):

 

 

 

Main Event | Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

– Sean Brady (8-0) vs. Gilbert Urbina (5-0)

 

 

 

Co-Main Event | Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

– Jonavin Webb (10-2) vs. Tanner Saraceno (7-2)

 

 

 

Women’s Featherweight Bout (145 lb)

– Danyelle Wolf (0-0) vs. Courtney King (1-1)

 

 

 

Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)

– Andrew Salas (5-1) vs. Ahmet Kayretli (8-2)

 

 

 

 

LFA 49 will serve as the fourth LFA event to take place on the east coast.  It will also be the first time that LFA has traveled to “The Garden State” of New Jersey before or after the merger. Further information about LFA 49 will be announced soon. The entire main card of LFA 49 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.

 

 

 

In 2017 RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA launched the careers of over 130 athletes to reach the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.  In May of 2018 the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA 47 – JACKSON vs. JENNERMAN

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LFA RETURNS TO DALLAS 
WITH 
INTERIM FEATHERWEIGHT 
TITLE BOUT

MAIN EVENT:
“THE LEECH”
DAMON JACKSON
vs.
“NASTY”
NATE JENNERMAN
 
INTERIM FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE BOUT
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10th LIVE on AXS TV
THE BOMB FACTORY in DALLAS, TEXAS
 
Tickets are on sale NOW through TheBombFactory.com

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – LFA CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will crown an interim featherweight champion when the promotion returns to Dallas in August.

 

 

The main event of LFA 47 will feature an interim featherweight title bout when former LFA featherweight title challenger Damon “The Leech” Jackson battles fellow top contender “Nasty” Nate Jennerman. LFA 47 – Jackson vs. Jennerman takes place this Friday, August 10th at The Bomb Factory in Dallas, Texas. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

“LFA featherweight champion Kevin Aguilar recently got the opportunity to compete for a UFC contract,” stated Soares. “Damon Jackson and Nate Jennerman are the two winningest featherweights in LFA history. They will compete for the LFA interim featherweight title on August 10th. LFA started at The Bomb Factory at LFA 1 by unifying the Legacy FC and RFA bantamweight titles. In May, we unified our featherweight title in the same venue. Now we will continue our exciting history in Dallas at LFA 47.”

 

 

Tickets for LFA 47 – Jackson vs. Jennerman are available for purchase NOW at TheBombFactory.com.

 

 

Jackson (15-2-1) heads into this title fight looking to capture LFA gold that eluded him the first time he competed for it at LFA 4. The former Legacy FC featherweight champion and three-time UFC veteran came up short against Kevin Aguilar that night, but has since strung together four consecutive submission victories inside the LFA Octagon. The NAIA All-American wrestler currently has the most wins in LFA history (5 wins) and will look to continue his dominance and position himself for one of two preferred outcomes with a title win at LFA 47. That would be either a rematch with Aguilar or a return trip to the UFC.

 

 

Jennerman (12-3) is the only man to experience a similar level of success as Jackson since the merger of Legacy FC and RFA created LFA in January 2017. The Roufusport product is currently tied with LFA flyweight champion Maikel Perez for second most wins in LFA history (4 wins) and will look to tie the promotion’s wins leader Jackson by defeating the man himself. If “Nasty Nate” wins by submission, he will also tie Jackson’s record for most submission wins in LFA history (5 submission wins). More importantly, Jennerman will capture prestigious LFA championship gold against his toughest opponent to date.

 

 

 

Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):

 

 

 

Main Event | Interim Featherweight Title Bout (145 lb)

– Damon Jackson (15-2-1) vs. Nate Jennerman (12-3)

 

 

Co-Main Event | Featherweight Bout (145 lb)

– Levi Mowles (9-3) vs. Charles Cheeks III (13-6)

 

 

Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

– Evan Cutts (9-3) vs. William “Patolino” Macario (9-3)

 

 

Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

– Sean Spencer (12-6) vs. Bilal Williams (8-6)

 

 

Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

– Ramiz Brahimaj (6-1) vs. Justin Patterson (10-4)

 

 

Women’s Strawweight Bout (115 lb)

– Valerie Soto (0-0) vs. Cristina Crist

 

 

Featherweight Bout (145 lb)

– Austin Lingo (4-0) vs. Eddie Brown (4-1)

 

 

 

LFA 47 will be the sixth LFA event to take place in the City of Dallas. It will also be the twelfth time that LFA has traveled to “The Lone Star State” of Texas. The entire main card of LFA 47 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.

 

 

 

In 2017 RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA launched the careers of over 130 athletes to reach the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.  In May of 2018 the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.

 

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA BRINGS WELTERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE BOUT TO JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS

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LFA 46 – NAKASHIMA vs. STEWART
MAIN EVENT:
 
LFA WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION
JAMES NAKASHIMA
vs.
U.S. MARINE CORPS SGT
KYLE “GUNZ UP” STEWART
 
WELTERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FIGHT
in celebration of the 100th Year Anniversary of Joint Base Langley-Eustis
 
 
FRIDAY, JULY 27th LIVE on AXS TV
JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS in NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA
Tickets are on sale NOW through Eventbrite.com

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – LFA CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will head east at the end of July with a welterweight world title fight that will headline the promotion’s first event to take place at a U.S. military facility. The live nationally televised event will be part of the 100th Anniversary celebration of Joint Base Langley-Eustis.

 

 

 

The main event of LFA 46 will bring the top two welterweight prospects in the world to southeastern Virginia. The headliner will see undefeated LFA welterweight champion James Nakashima defend his title against undefeated U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Kyle “Gunz Up” Stewart. LFA 46 – Nakashima vs. Stewart takes place Friday, July 27th at the Felker Field Hangar at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Newport News, Virginia. The main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

“I am excited to bring an LFA world title fight to Joint Base Langley-Eustis on July 27th,” stated Soares. “James Nakashima has been one of the most formidable fighters in our promotion’s history. He will defend his title against #1 contender and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Kyle Stewart. Nakashima and Stewart train about 30 minutes from each other and this has been a fight MMA fans have been wanting to see for a long time. It will finally happen with the LFA welterweight title on the line at LFA 46. This will also be part of the 100 Year Anniversary celebration for Joint Base Langley-Eustis, and I can’t wait to show the troops what the LFA is all about!”

 

 

 

Tickets for LFA 46 – Nakashima vs. Stewart are available for purchase NOW at Eventbrite.com.

 

 

 

Nakashima (8-0) has long been regarded as a special talent. Those prodigious abilities were finally realized by the masses when he was crowned LFA welterweight champion this past fall. His wrestling pedigree, shrewd striking ability, and willingness to learn every aspect of martial arts has made him the undefeated welterweight champion that he is today. The Illinois native and University of Nebraska wrestling standout has taken the 170-pound division by storm since making his professional MMA debut for RFA in 2015. He has defeated opponents that have a staggering combined record of 54-17 with half of those wins coming against undefeated fighters. Now sitting at 8-0 with the LFA welterweight title around his waist, Nakashima is eager to get back in the cage after healing up some injuries. The John Crouch protégé, who trains at The MMA LAB in Arizona, is once again eager to test himself against the best. That next challenge will come against fellow undefeated prospect and #1 contender Kyle Stewart.

 

 

 

Stewart (10-0) has been on a collision course with Nakashima since making his own professional MMA debut in 2015. The U.S. Marine Corps sergeant has amassed his own undefeated record, while training with Trevor Lally at Arizona Combat Sports just 30 minutes away from Nakashima. The decorated war veteran  who saw action in Afghanistan, while serving multiple tours overseas, has successfully brought his combat skills to the cage where he is considered one of the top two welterweight prospects in the world. The other would be Nakashima, the man Stewart has long had his eye on since their careers began three years ago. The reality of them finally meeting in the Octagon became even more real when Stewart  won his LFA debut last year. Stewart made a final statement for a title shot when he handed fellow top prospect Jaleel Willis his first loss in the main event of LFA 33 this past February. Next up for “Gunz Up”, Nakashima for the title, in front of his fellow soldiers and veterans at Joint Base Langley-Eustis.

 

 

 

Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):

 

 

 

Main Event | Welterweight Title Bout (170 lb)

 

 

– James Nakashima (8-0) vs. Kyle Stewart (10-0)

 

 

 

Co-Main Event | Featherweight Bout (145 lb)

 

 

– Alexandre Bezerra (20-5) vs. Mike Pope (7-3)

 

 

 

Middleweight Bout (185 lb)

 

 

– Dashawn Boatwright (3-1) vs. Matt Semelsber (3-1)

 

 

 

Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)

 

 

– Ahmet Kayretli (7-2) vs. Shaun Spath (4-1)

 

 

 

Featherweight Bout (145 lb)

 

 

– Damon Minor (3-1) vs. Michael Lawrence (5-4)

 

 

 

Women’s Flyweight Bout (125 lb)

 

 

– Salina Rowland (0-0) vs. Whittany Pyles (0-1)

 

 

 

Featherweight Bout (145 lb)

 

 

– Cody Maltais (3-1) vs. Thomas Blair (3-1)

 

 

 

 

LFA 46 will serve as the third LFA event to take place on the east coast. It will also be the first time that LFA has traveled to “The Old Dominion” of Virginia before or after the merger.  The entire main card of LFA 46 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.

 

 

 

In 2017 RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA launched the careers of over 130 athletes to reach the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.  In May of 2018 the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA BRINGS WELTERWEIGHT SHOWDOWN TO THE COACHELLA VALLEY

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MAIN EVENT:

 

 

 

15-TIME UFC VETERAN

ERICK “THE TIGER” SILVA

 

 

vs.

 

 

3-TIME LFA HEADLINER

NICK “THE PHOENIX” BARNES

 

 

WELTERWEIGHT SHOWDOWN

 

 

 

 

FRIDAY, JULY 20th LIVE on AXS TV

LIVE at the MORONGO OUTDOOR PAVILION

in CABAZON, CALIFORNIA

 

 

Tickets on sale Tuesday June 19th through Ticketmaster.com

 

 

 

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – LFA CEO Ed Soares announced today that LFA will return to southern California in July with an intriguing welterweight showdown headlining LFA 45.

 

 

 

The main event of LFA 45 will feature the LFA debut of 15-time UFC veteran Erick Silva. He will face 3-time LFA headliner Nick “The Phoenix” Barnes. LFA 45 – Silva vs. Barnes takes place Friday, July 20th at the Morongo Outdoor Pavilion at the Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa in Cabazon, California. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

“I am excited to bring LFA back to Coachella Valley at LFA 45”, stated Soares. “This will be our fourth show in my home state of California. Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa is a world-class 4-diamond establishment and we look forward to returning in July with an explosive main event between Erick Silva and Nick Barnes.”

 

 

 

Tickets for LFA 45 – Silva vs. Barnes will be available for purchase at noon PST on Tuesday June 19th via Ticketmaster.com.

 

 

 

Silva (19-9) makes his LFA debut eager to get back to his winning ways after spending the last seven years fighting in the UFC. The fifteen-time UFC vet became one of the sport’s most popular fighters due to his dynamic fighting style, which earned him UFC bonuses in nearly half of his bouts for the promotion. Silva won “Fight of the Night” three times, “Submission of the Night” twice, and “Performance of the Night” twice during his time in the UFC. The Jiu-Jitsu and Judo black belt and former UFC headliner also picked up notable submission victories over Josh Koscheck, Luan Chagas, Mike Rhodes, Jason High, and Charlie Brenneman during his tenure with the promotion. Now “The Tiger” from Brazil looks to pounce once more in the main event of LFA 45.

 

 

 

Barnes (12-3) returns to the LFA Octagon for his third straight promotional main event dating back to the RFA days. This will also be his fourth straight fight for the promotion with the first two coming under the RFA banner. After alternating results in his first four fights with the promotion, “The Phoenix” will look to rise again at LFA 45. The Wyoming native, who now calls San Diego, California home, has long been considered one of the sport’s top welterweight prospects located in talent-rich southern California. Barnes will look to impress once more in front of a largely pro-Barnes crowd in sunny southern California, but this time around he has upped the ante by signing on to face the biggest name opponent of his career in the main event of LFA 45.

 

 

 

Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT):

 

 

 

Main Event | Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

 

 

– Erick Silva (19-9) vs. Nick Barnes (12-3)

 

 

 

Middleweight Bout (185 lb)

 

– Moses Murrietta (6-1) vs. Casey Ryan (9-3)

 

Light-Heavyweight Bout (205 lb)

 

-Blake Troop (7-5) vs. James Cannon (7-2)

Middleweight Bout (185 lb)

 

-Luc Bondole (5-2) vs. Taylor Johnson (3-0)

 

 

 

 

LFA 45 will be the fourth LFA event to take place in the state of California. RFA hosted eight events inside “The Golden State” before the merger. The entire main card of LFA 45 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.

 

 

 

In 2017 RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA launched the careers of over 130 athletes to reach the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.  In May of 2018 the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA GETS THE FIREWORKS STARTED EARLY IN ARIZONA WITH LFA 44 – FRINCU vs. AGUILERA

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LFA 44 – FRINCU vs. AGUILERA
MAIN EVENT:
 
THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER
MATTHEW FRINCU
vs.
THE BEAST
CHRISTIAN AGUILERA
 
WELTERWEIGHT WAR
 
 
CO-MAIN EVENT:
 
TOP PROSPECT
CASEY KENNEY
vs.
UFC VETERAN
ROMAN SALAZAR
 
BANTAMWEIGHT BATTLE
 
FRIDAY, JUNE 29th LIVE on AXS TV
COMERICA THEATRE in PHOENIX, ARIZONA
Tickets are on sale NOW through  Ticketmaster.com

LAS VEGAS, NV – LFA CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will return to Arizona at the end of June. Two of the promotion’s most feared knockout artists are set for a showdown in the Valley of the Sun when they clash at LFA 44.

 

 

 

The main event of LFA 44 will bring the fireworks five days early this summer. The headliner will see Australia’s aesthetic annihilator Matthew “Thunder From Down Under” Frincu battle southern California’s grim sleeper Christian “The Beast” Aguilera in one of the most explosive showdowns of the year. LFA 44 – Frincu vs. Aguilera takes place Friday, June 29that the Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. The main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

“I am excited to bring LFA back to Arizona on June 29th,” stated Soares. “Matthew Frincu is a sensational striker. He will face fellow knock out artist Christian Aguilera in the main event of LFA 44. They are two of the most dangerous welterweight prospects in the world and will be looking to make a big statement at the top of one of our most competitive divisions.”

 

 

 

Tickets for LFA 44 – Frincu vs. Aguilera are available for purchase NOW at Ticketmaster.com

 

 

 

Frincu (12-3) came to LFA last year as one of the most exciting exports hailing from The Land Down Under. He wasted no time in making a huge splash in his promotional debut at LFA 5. The native of Gold Coast, Australia assaulted Kris Hocum with a diverse and brilliant display of striking. “Thunder From Down Under” taught a masterclass on how to effectively utilize range and Muay Thai technique to dismantle a high-level grappler. He offered a crash course on the same subject ten weeks later, when he knocked out Brazilian prospect Maycon Mendonça in 96-seconds at LFA 11. Most recently, Frincu stopped previously undefeated Mexican prospect Roman Alcantar via TKO in January at LFA 31. Now the awesome Aussie looks to derail one of the heaviest hitters in the division.

 

 

 

Aguilera (11-4) has earned a reputation for possessing some of the scariest one-punch knockout power in all of MMA. LFA officials caught a glimpse of his gift of putting people to sleep early in his career when he gave Timothy Quiroga a canvas nap in just 52-seconds at RFA 23. A lot has happened in the three years since that prophetic night in Orange County. To start, “The Beast” got older, he got bigger, and inconceivable to many, he became even more powerful. Not surprising to anyone, however, is his propensity to wield his gift like a young super-hero discovering his ability for the first time. This has left a path of destruction in 2018 trailing 83 miles in California from Costa Mesa (LFA 30) to Cabazon (LFA 36). Aguilera looks to extend that path to Phoenix, Arizona on June 29th.

 

 

 

The co-main event of LFA 44 will feature an intrastate superfight when two-time LFA standout Casey Kenney (8-1-1) battles three-time UFC veteran Roman Salazar (12-6). Last year, Casey won a regional flyweight title before signing with LFA. After making his LFA debut last May, he competed twice in front of UFC President Dana White on the UFC boss’ Tuesday Night Contender Series. Casey returned to LFA in January with a dominant Unanimous Decision victory over Kendrick Latchman at LFA 31. He now looks to make a bigger statement by moving up a weight class to face one of Arizona’s most seasoned bantamweight forces.

 

 

 

That would be the man known as “El Gallito”. Salazar was signed by the UFC in 2014 after winning multiple regional titles in Arizona in multiple weight classes. He competed three times for the industry leader, which includes a bout at UFC 184 against Japanese MMA legend Kid Yamamoto in Yamamoto’s final fight. Most recently, Salazar has reasserted his dominance in his home state with a pair of TKO victories. Salazar now looks to continue his resurgence with a  marquee win over one of MMA’s most highly-touted prospects. Salazar hails from Mammoth, Arizona and will face Kenney of Tucson, Arizona in one the state’s biggest showdowns of the year.

 

 

 

Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT):

 

 

 

Main Event | Welterweight Bout (170 lbs)

– Matthew Frincu (12-3) vs. Christian Aguilera (11-4)

 

 

 

Co-Main Event | Bantamweight Bout (135 lbs)

– Casey Kenney (8-1-1) vs. Roman Salazar (12-6)

 

 

 

LFA 44 will serve as the fourth LFA event to take place in the state of Arizona. All of these events have taken place in the Grand Canyon State’s capital city of Phoenix. Further information about LFA 44 will be announced soon.  The entire main card of LFA 44 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.

 

 

 

In 2017 RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA launched the careers of over 130 athletes to reach the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.  In May of 2018 the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA STARTS THE SUMMER IN BEAUMONT, TEXAS WITH LFA 43 – ALLEN vs. CROWE

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MAIN EVENT:
TWO-TIME LFA TITLE CHALLENGER
BRENDAN ALLEN
vs.
TWO-TIME LEGACY FC TITLE CHALLENGER
LARRY CROWE
 
MIDDLEWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
FRIDAY, JUNE 22nd LIVE on AXS TV
BEAUMONT CIVIC CENTER in BEAUMONT, TEXAS
Tickets are on sale NOW through  Ticketmaster.com

LAS VEGAS, NV – LFA CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will kick off the 2018 summer season with a middleweight showdown between two former title challengers when the promotion heads to Beaumont, Texas at LFA 43.

 

 

 

The main event of LFA 43 will feature a middleweight showdown between two-time LFA title challenger Brendan “All In” Allen and two-time Legacy FC title challenger Larry “Tae Kwon” Crowe. LFA 43 – Allen vs. Crowe takes place this Friday, June 22nd at the Beaumont Civic Center in Beaumont, Texas. The main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

“Brendan Allen and Larry Crowe have a well-documented history of being top contenders in our organization,” stated Soares. “They have been two of our top middleweights for years, but somehow their paths have never crossed. Our fans will finally get to see them square off this summer when we head south to Beamount, Texas at LFA 43. ”

 

 

 

Tickets for LFA 43 – Allen vs. Crowe are available for purchase NOW at  Ticketmaster.com.

 

 

 

Allen (8-3) enters the LFA 43 headliner looking to reassert himself at the top of the LFA middleweight standings. The 22-year-old Louisianian is a two-time LFA middleweight title challenger and will be making his fifth appearance for LFA. He also competed twice for Legacy FC before the promotion merged with RFA to create LFA. Allen has gained valuable experience early in his career, which is now being cultivated along with his raw talent at Roufusport MMA Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The popular and talented southern submission specialist has built a reputation for being one of the most clinical finishers in the division. All eight of his victories have come via KO, TKO, or submission. The man known as “All In” will now go all in as he looks for the biggest win of his career.

 

 

 

Crowe (10-6) returns to the LFA Octagon fresh off a win over LFA mainstay Bilal Williams in the co-main event of LFA 26. The 34-year-old Texan is a two-time Legacy FC middleweight title challenger and one of the longest tenured fighters in Legacy FC history. Crowe made his debut for Legacy FC in his second professional fight in July 2010. That bout occurred at the third-ever Legacy FC event. In many ways, Crowe and Legacy FC grew up together. The man known as “Tae Kown” Crowe grew into one of the promotion’s most revered fighters, while Legacy FC grew into one of the top two developmental organizations in the world. Now the Houston native will add his name to another piece of history as he looks to win the main event of LFA 43 in the promotion’s debut event in Beaumont.

 

 

 

 

Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):

 

 

 

 

Main Event | Middleweight Bout (185 lb)

– Brendan Allen (8-3) vs. Larry Crowe (10-6)

 

 

 

Featherweight Bout (145 lb)

– Jake Heffernan (6-0) vs. Peter Stanonik  (5-3)

 

 

 

Featherweight Bout (145 lb)

– Kolton Englund (5-2) vs. Juan Gonzalez (5-1)

 

 

 

Lightweight Bout (155 lb)

– Cameron Graves (6-2) vs. Jordan Titoni (6-2)

 

 

 

Women’s Strawweight Bout ( 115 lb)

– Itzel Esquivel (2-2) vs. Desiree Yanez (1-0)

 

 

 

Heavyweight Bout (265 lb)

– Jeremy Hardy (5-3) vs. Joel Moore (3-0)

 

 

 

LFA 43 will be the first LFA event to take place in the City of Beaumont. It will also be the eleventh time that LFA has traveled to “The Lone Star State” of Texas. Further information about LFA 43 will be announced soon. The entire main card of LFA 43 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.

 

 

 

In 2017 RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA launched the careers of over 130 athletes to reach the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.  In May of 2018 the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA RETURNS TO BRANSON, MISSOURI WITH A  WELTERWEIGHT WAR: LFA 42 – KRANTZ vs. KAYNE

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MAIN EVENT:
FORMER LFA WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION
DERRICK KRANTZ
vs.
KNOCKOUT ARTIST
KASSIUS KAYNE
WELTERWEIGHT WAR
FRIDAY, JUNE 8th LIVE on AXS TV
BRANSON CONVENTION CENTER in BRANSON, MISSOURI
 
Tickets are on sale NOW through CageTix.com

 

HOUSTON, Texas – Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will feature a welterweight war at the top of LFA 42 when the promotion returns to The Ozarks in June.

 

 

 

The main event of LFA 42 will feature a welterweight war between former LFA welterweight champion Derrick “D-Rock” Krantz and knockout artist Kassius “Killa” Kayne. LFA 42 – Krantz vs. Kayne takes place Friday, June 8th at the Branson Convention Center in Branson, Missouri. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

“I am excited to bring the LFA back to Missouri in June,” stated Soares. “RFA hosted four shows across the state and we returned last year as LFA. Missouri has some of the best fans and MMA talent in the country. Derrick Krantz won the inaugural LFA welterweight title. He is on a path to reclaim his crown. Standing in his way is Kassius Kayne, who is one of the most exciting fighters on our roster.”

 

 

 

Tickets for LFA 42 – Krantz vs. Kayne are available for purchase NOW at CageTix.com.

 

 

 

Krantz (21-10) captured the inaugural LFA welterweight championship twelve months ago with a performance that is considered the magnum opus of his impressive MMA career. The powerhouse from Texas is always itching for a good old-fashioned fist fight and unloaded his formidable fistolas on Ben Neumann in the main event of LFA 12 to capture his second world title. Two years earlier, Krantz accomplished a nearly identical feat against UFC vet Brock Larson to win the Legacy FC welterweight title. Krantz lost his LFA title via Split Decision in a closely contested bout with former University of Nebraska wrestling standout James Nakashima at LFA 23, but he bounced back with a dominant win over longtime Legacy FC vet Artenas Young in March. The 30-year-old former champ now has his sights set on another fighter who has made a name for himself in Nebraska. That would be the man known as “Killa Kayne”.

 

 

 

Kayne (12-4) is one of the most exciting fighters to hail from the “Cornhusker State” of Nebraska. That is where the proud Nebraskan knocked out highly-touted Hawaiian prospect Maki Pitolo seventeen months ago to win a regional title in his hometown of Omaha. Since that notable night in his career, “Killa Kayne” has taken his talents to the LFA Octagon. The two-time RFA vet made his LFA debut in his home state this past October at LFA 25. He stopped fellow RFA vet Jordon Larson via TKO in a showdown between two of the Midwest’s most popular fighters. Kayne continued his winning ways just two weeks ago, when he scored a quick TKO win over Ivey Nixon in a local show. Now he returns to the LFA Octagon to battle a former LFA champion at a neutral location. Branson, Missouri is the midway point between Kayne’s hometown of Omaha, Nebraska and Krantz’s hometown of Marshall, Texas.

 

 

 

Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):

 

 

 

Main Event | Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

– Derrick Krantz (21-10) vs. Kassius Kayne (12-4)

 

 

 

Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

– Jaleel Willis (8-1) vs. Chel Erwin-Davis (5-1)

 

 

 

Flyweight Bout (125 lb)

– Charles Johnson (6-1) vs. Andrew Kimzey (3-1)

 

 

 

Light-Heavyweight Bout (205 lb)

– Erick Murray (3-0) vs. Julius Anglickas (2-1)

 

 

 

Lightweight Bout (155 lb)

– Lucas Clay (3-0) vs. Mike Breeden (4-0)

 

 

 

In September 2016, RFA and Legacy FC officials announced that they would be merging to form the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) starting in January 2017. RFA and Legacy FC have launched the careers of over 130 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.

 

 

 

LFA 42 will be the second LFA event to take place in the state of Missouri. RFA visited the “Show Me State” four times before the merger. Further information about LFA 42 will be announced soon. The entire main card of LFA 42 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA RETURNS TO MINNESOTA  WITH LIGHTWEIGHT SHOWDOWN LFA 41 – MOISÉS vs. PETERSON

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MAIN EVENT:

THE FINAL RFA LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION

THIAGO MOISÉS

vs.

“THE ADMINISTRATOR”

JEFF PETERSON

 

 

 

LIGHTWEIGHT SHOWDOWN

 

 

FRIDAY, JUNE 1st LIVE on AXS TV

 

 

 

LIVE at the MINNETONKA BALLROOM

inside the new 

MYSTIC LAKE CENTER

 

 

 

PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA

 

 

 

Tickets are on sale NOW through MysticLake.com

 

 

 

 

HOUSTON, Texas – Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) CEO Ed Soares announced today that LFA will return to Minnesota on the first day of June with a lightweight showdown between the final RFA lightweight champion and a surging upset artist.

 

 

 

The main event of LFA 41 will feature the return of the final RFA lightweight champion Thiago Moisés when he faces the division’s biggest upset machine Jeff “The Administrator” Peterson. LFA 41 – Moisés vs. Peterson takes place Friday, June 1st at the Minnetonka Ballroom inside the new Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake, Minnesota. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

“I am excited to bring LFA back to the Minnetonka Ballroom inside the state of the art Mystic Lake Center”, stated Soares. “We brought four LFA events to Mystic Lake last year. LFA 41 will be the second of four live nationally televised MMA events to take place inside Mystic Lake’s new world-class facility in 2018. Mystic Lake has been a great partner and will now host the return of Thiago Moisés when he faces Jeff Peterson on June 1st.”

 

 

 

Tickets for LFA 41 – Moisés vs. Peterson are available for purchase NOW at MysticLake.com.

 

 

 

Moisés (9-2) recently turned 23-years-old, but has long been considered one of the most exciting lightweight prospects in the world. The Brazilian dynamo submitted Javon Wright in his RFA debut at RFA 28. The win earned Moisés a shot at RFA gold in his next outing at RFA 35. Moisés used this opportunity to secure one of the most memorable submission wins in MMA history. He executed an electrifying and ultra-rare Helicopter Armbar to submit David Castillo. The submission made him the second youngest champion in RFA history, went viral on the internet, and earned him a nominee for “Submission of the Year” at the annual World MMA Awards.

 

 

 

Moisés then defended his RFA lightweight title twice. The first title defense came against Jamall Emmers at RFA 38. The win came with UFC President Dana White sitting cageside and was featured on the seventh episode of Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight. The second title defense came against Zach Freeman in Freeman’s hometown at RFA 44. During that fight, Moisés broke his hand. The American Top Team product still managed to cruise to a Unanimous Decision victory, but he missed nearly a year of action waiting for his surgically repaired hand to heal. Moisés then re-injured his hand vying for the inaugural LFA lightweight title last summer at LFA 17. Now the BJJ black belt is back and ready to remind the world, that when he is at 100%, he is the top lightweight prospect in the world.

 

 

 

Peterson (9-4) is currently riding an impressive six-fight win streak and hasn’t tasted defeat in over three years. However, the Alliance MMA product really started to make a name for himself last year after signing with LFA. Peterson did this by winning all three of his fights for the promotion against heavily favored opposition. The first win came against top undefeated prospect Bobby Lee via Unanimous

Decision at LFA 12. The second win came against local fan favorite Brandon Jenkins via Split Decision at LFA 20. The third and biggest win came against longtime Bellator star and fellow U.S. Marine Mike Richman via Unanimous Decision in the co-main event of LFA 29.

 

 

 

 

Now the 28-year-old known as “The Administrator” will be looking to add the final RFA lightweight champion to his list of upsets. This is the next necessary step he will need to take if the Peterson regime plans on taking over as the new ruling administration atop the LFA lightweight division. He has gotten to this point by defying the odds. Peterson has administered his rugged, no-nonsense style of fighting to upset an undefeated prospect, a local favorite, and a popular vet. Now he will up the ante by facing his biggest test to date. When the opening betting odds are released for this fight, expect Peterson to once again be the underdog. He wouldn’t want it any other way. That is where he thrives. A devil dog, seen as an underdog, in a prime time headlining fight is a scary thing. Oorah.

 

 

 

 

Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Main Event | Lightweight Bout (155 lb)

– Thiago Moisés (9-2) vs. Jeff Peterson (9-4)

 

 

 

 

 

Co-Main Event | Lightweight Bout (155 lb)

– Killys Mota (10-0) vs. Bobby Lee (8-1)

 

 

 

 

 

Featherweight Bout (145 lb)

– Nate Jennerman (11-3) vs. Kevin Croom (18-8)

 

Welterweight Bout (170 lb)

 

 

 

– Ben Neumann (12-5) vs.  Bobby Cooper (14-7)

 

 

 

 

 

Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)

– Raufeon Stots (9-1) vs. Emeka Ifekandu (6-0)

 

 

 

 

 

In September 2016, RFA and Legacy FC officials announced that they would be merging to form LFA. This new powerhouse promotion would serve as the premier developmental organization in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) starting in January 2017. RFA and Legacy FC have launched the careers of over 130 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.

 

 

 

 

LFA 41 will be the seventh LFA event to take place in the state of Minnesota. RFA and Legacy FC hosted a combined nine events in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” before the merger. Six of those events took place under the RFA banner inside the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel. The entire main card of LFA 41 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

 

 

 

 

Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.
LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA

LFA HEADS TO VAIL, COLORADO TO CROWN INTERIM MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION AT LFA 39

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MAIN EVENT:
 
“THE HURRICANE”
IAN HEINISCH
vs.
“ZANGIEF”
GABRIEL CHECCO
 
INTERIM MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
 
CO-MAIN EVENT:
 
“THE BEVERLY HILLS NINJA”
JORDAN WRIGHT
vs.
“THE HYBRID”
HAYWARD CHARLES
 
MIDDLEWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
 
FRIDAY, MAY 4th LIVE on AXS TV
DOBSON ARENA in VAIL, COLORADO
Tickets are on sale NOW through TicketsWest.com
HOUSTON, Texas – Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will crown an interim middleweight champion when it makes its first trip to Vail, Colorado in May at LFA 39. LFA middleweight champion Anthony Hernandez is currently taking time off to heal injuries, while also welcoming the birth of his fourth child. He is expected to face the winner of the LFA 39 main event later this year.

The main event of LFA 39 will crown an interim middleweight champion when Colorado native Ian “The Hurricane” Heinisch faces BJJ black belt Gabriel “Zangief” Checco for the interim strap.  LFA 39 – Heinisch vs. Checco takes place Friday, May 4th at Dobson Arena in Vail, Colorado. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
“I am excited to bring LFA to beautiful Vail, Colorado,” stated Soares. “Our middleweight champion Anthony Hernandez is taking some time off to heal injuries, so we will crown an interim champion that will face Hernandez in a title unification bout later this year. Ian Heinisch and Gabriel Checco are the top two contenders for the title and they both have title fight experience. This will make a fantastic main event at LFA 39.”
Tickets for LFA 39 – Heinisch vs. Checco are available for purchase NOW at TicketsWest.com.
Heinisch (9-1) is widely considered one of the top middleweight prospects in the world. The two-time Colorado state wrestling champion from Ponderosa High School impressed many in his LFA debut last year, which served as the main event of LFA 10. “The Hurricane” overwhelmed his veteran Brazilian opponent Lucas Rota in less than a round and finished him with a rare Ude-Garami (Keylock) from Kesa-Gatame (Scarf Hold). The flashy submission win earned him a shot at the LFA middleweight title in September at LFA 22. Things did not go as he planned that night, but the 29-year-old quickly rebounded with a highlight reel one-punch knockout in January. Heinisch was able to showcase his underrated striking and big right hand that put away Daniel Madrid in the co-main event of LFA 31. The win earned him a second chance at LFA gold in front of his home crowd at LFA 39.
Checco (10-2) is a Brazilian powerhouse and dangerous BJJ black belt known as “Zangief”. This is due to his signature mohawk and jaw-dropping finishing ability much like the popular Street Fighter video game character of the same name. All ten of Checco’s wins have come via KO, TKO, or submission. That includes three highlight reel finishes under the RFA banner. The first was a blistering 74-second knockout of Joseph Henle in the co-main event of RFA 23 in southern California. The second was a beautiful Triangle-Armbar submission of Mike Jasper at RFA 31, which took place in downtown Las Vegas. The third was a comeback win via Heel Hook against Heinisch’s close friend and training partner Adam Stroup in the co-main event of RFA 43. Checco also brings the experience of two RFA title fights. He will need that when he faces an extra-motivated Heinisch for LFA gold at LFA 39.
Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):
Main Event | Interim Middleweight Title Bout (185 lb)
– Ian Heinisch (9-1) vs. Gabriel Checco (10-2)
Co-Main Event | Middleweight Bout (185 lb)
– Jordan Wright (9-0) vs. Hayward Charles (15-10)
Flyweight Bout (125 lb)
– Brandon Royval (6-3) vs. Jerome Rivera (7-1)
Women’s Strawweight Bout (115 lb)
– Maycee Barber (3-0) vs. Audrey Perkins (1-0)
In September 2016, RFA and Legacy FC officials announced that they would be merging to form the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) starting in January 2017. RFA and Legacy FC have launched the careers of over 150 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.
LFA 39 will serve as the fourth LFA event to take place in the state of Colorado. RFA visited “The Centennial State” eight times before the merger. Further information about LFA 39 will be announced soon. The entire main card of LFA 39 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.