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On Friday, July 2nd, 2021, the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) held its 156th event, and now this 14th April featuring a bantamweight showdown between two of the promotion’s rising prospects: Miles “Chapo” Johns and Vince “The Anomaly” Cachero. However, it was the co-main event of the evening that stole the show, as bantamweight champion Adrian “The Hunter” Yanez defended his title against Kyle “The Monster” Estrada in a thrilling back-and-forth affair.
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Yanez, who had won his last four fights in a row, including a first-round knockout of Brady Huang to capture the vacant LFA bantamweight title, came into the fight as a heavy favorite. However, Estrada, who had won five of his last six fights, was looking to prove that he was more than just a stepping stone for the champion.
The fight started with Yanez establishing his range and landing a few leg kicks. Estrada, however, was not intimidated and began to pressure the champion, forcing him to fight off his back foot. The challenger was able to get inside and land a few punches, but Yanez was able to counter with some hard shots of his own.
As the first round progressed, both fighters began to let their hands go, and it was Yanez who was getting the better of the exchanges. He landed a hard left hook that seemed to stun Estrada, but the challenger was able to weather the storm and keep pressing forward.
The second round saw Estrada come out with even more aggression, as he looked to take the fight to Yanez. He was able to land some solid shots and even had the champion briefly rocked with a right hand. However, Yanez was able to compose himself and fire back with some heavy shots of his own.
The third round was a back-and-forth battle, with both fighters having their moments. Yanez was able to land some hard leg kicks and jabs, while Estrada continued to pressure him and land punches to the body and head.
As the fight entered the championship rounds, Yanez began to find his rhythm and land some crisp combinations. He was able to drop Estrada with a hard right hand, but the challenger was able to get back to his feet and continue to fight.
In the end, it was Yanez who emerged victorious, winning a unanimous decision and successfully defending his LFA bantamweight title. The judges scored the fight 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46 in favor of the champion.
The co-main event was not the only exciting fight of the night, as the main event saw a clash between two of the promotion’s top featherweights, Damon Jackson and Daniel Pineda. The two fighters had previously met in 2012, with Pineda coming out on top via first-round submission.
However, Jackson was looking to exact revenge and prove that he was the better fighter. The first round saw both fighters engage in a grappling battle, with Pineda able to take Jackson down and control him on the ground for the majority of the round.
The second round saw Jackson come out more aggressively, as he looked to keep the fight standing. He was able to land some solid shots on Pineda, but the veteran fighter was able to weather the storm and take the fight back to the ground.
In the third round, Pineda was able to secure a takedown early on and lock in a tight arm-triangle choke. Jackson was forced to tap out, giving Pineda the victory via submission.
Another notable fight on the card was a bantamweight bout between Cooper Gibson and Tyler Wilson. The fight was a back -and-forth battle, with both fighters landing some heavy shots. However, it was Gibson who was able to secure a rear-naked choke in the third round, forcing Wilson to tap out.
The event also featured several other exciting fights, including a women’s strawweight bout between Cheyanne Vlismas and Karla Hernandez, which Vlismas won via unanimous decision, and a bantamweight bout between Jesse Strader and Luis Luna, which Strader won via first-round TKO.
Overall, LFA 156 was a thrilling night of fights, featuring some of the promotion’s top rising prospects and established veterans. The co-main event between Yanez and Estrada was a particular highlight, with both fighters showing incredible heart and skill throughout the five-round battle. With events like this, LFA continues to prove itself as one of the premier MMA organizations in the world, showcasing some of the best talent in the sport today.
