Photo: Divulgação / LFA
Formiga Showcases Submission Ability at LFA 124: Highlights, Results
LFA 124 – February 11, 2022 – Phoenix, Arizona
Carrying out their fourth event of 2022, Legacy Fighting Alliance has delivered another electrifying evening of fights with LFA 124. The main card featured six exemplary MMA matchups on UFC Fight Pass, and only one went to the judges. With three bouts finished by TKO, two by submission, and three straight first round stoppages kick-starting the broadcast, this show was a live highlight reel.
Returning to the Arizona Federal Theatre in Phoenix for the first time since early December, the night was rich with high level action that unfolded rapidly as things progressed. Concluding the non-stop action was the highly anticipated bantamweight showdown between the former UFC competitor Jussier Formiga, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu specialist Felipe Bunes.
LFA 124 Main Event Competitors
Jussier Formiga (24-8) got started with the UFC in 2012, since then he achieved notable wins over current UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, and current Bellator bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis. Following these wins, Formiga lost three straight bouts to top level athletes, including former UFC champion Brandon Moreno, and was let go by the promotion.
Felipe “Felipinho” Bunes (11-6) has spent the larger part of his career competing in Russia with ACA and Fight Nights Global. Leading into this fight, his most recent victory came by way of a triangle armbar over Mikael Silander (20-8).
With one fighter attempting to make his way back to the big show, and another looking to push past the veteran and achieve UFC dreams of his own, the stage was set for an excellent display of abilities between two highly motivated competitors.
👀
[ #LFA124 | 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗪 | 📲 on #UFCFIGHTPASS ] pic.twitter.com/um9NmkEavL
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 12, 2022
Jussier Formiga vs. Felipe Bunes
Through the first round, both fighters began the feeling out process on the feet. Both landed shots amidst the constant feints, but nothing that did any substantial damage. Formiga changed levels and shot for the takedown, but adjusted to a body lock position part way through as Bunes began to sprawl. From the body lock, Formiga was able to drag Felipe to the ground, but only for a short moment. Bunes bounced right back up, extending his arms out to post on the ground for support. Formiga transitioned to take his opponent’s back, but ultimately was reversed and lost the dominant position before the bell sounded to end the first round. In round two, Formiga was once again able to close the distance and take the back of Felipe Bunes. This time around, the two rolled to the canvas where Formiga was able to lock up a rear naked choke sending Bunes to an unconscious state, and earning the convincing victory in his LFA debut.
Welcome to @LFAFighting @JussierFormiga! 👏
[ #LFA124 | 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 | 📲 on #UFCFIGHTPASS ] pic.twitter.com/s1NDGw1s4v
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 12, 2022
Co-Main Event
Preceding the masterful grappling performance by Formiga was the only fight on the main card to see the judge’s decision. Escaping the war-torn terrain of Afghanistan and making his LFA debut, Ahmad Hassanzada was ready to meet his next challenge in Stanford wrestling captain James Wilson. These two could not have come from different backgrounds, but what they had in common was the work ethic and desire to come out on top that was displayed over the course of the 15-minute affair. In the end, Ahmad was able to out-strike Wilson and avoid enough of his wrestling to secure the unanimous decision victory, improving his record to 10-1.
Sprawl to inverted triangle. Who hasn’t seen that before???#LFA124 pic.twitter.com/ivRFkufKQU
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 12, 2022
Stand Out Performance
In his professional debut, An Ho of Vietnam unveiled a comfortability in the cage that is usually only shown by seasoned martial artists. The crowd was blown away by the movement and creative striking ability that contributed to the fight ending the way it did. You always hope that the first fight on the main card will set the pace for the bouts that follow, that hope came to fruition when An Ho landed a perfectly timed spinning back fist on his Brazilian opponent, Guilherme Crossi. The shot dropped Crossi to the ground, where An Ho finished things up with strikes from the top in the very first round.
An Tuan Ho starts off his young career with a bang. He gets the win via first round TKO after landing a massive spinning back fist🔥Here’s his reaction after his pro debut fight. @LFAfighting #MMA #LFA124 #UFC pic.twitter.com/AUu08vw6Zs
— Parker Dunn (@parkerdunn18) February 12, 2022
With four successful events executed so far in 2022, Legacy Fighting Alliance will bring more action to fight fans across the world with their next event on February 25th. Once again Live on UFC Fight Pass, LFA 125 will take place at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, NY.
LFA 124 Full Results:
Main Card:
Jussier Formiga def. Felipe Bunes via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) – Round 2, 1:53
Ahmad Hassanzada def. James Wilson via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Derrick Weaver via TKO (Punches) – Round 2, 0:28
Undefeated heavyweight Waldo Cortes-Acosta moves to 5-0! 💣
[ #LFA124 | 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗪 | 📲 on #UFCFIGHTPASS ] pic.twitter.com/j58wXgKniH
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 12, 2022
Austin Wourms def. Jacobi Jones via Submission (Armbar) – Round 1, 1:18
Austin Wourms lands a Sakuraba Kimura to armbar! 🤯 @LFAFighting
[ #LFA124 | 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗪 | 📲 on #UFCFIGHTPASS ] pic.twitter.com/hjzX7xiHAz
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 12, 2022
Kasey Tanner def. Tristan Lindi via TKO (Strikes From the Back) – Round 1, 2:16
Kasey Tanner (6-0) gets the TKO!
[ #LFA124 | 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗪 | 📲 on #UFCFIGHTPASS ] pic.twitter.com/grDxNGbXso
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 12, 2022
An Ho def. Guilherme Crossi via TKO (Spinning Back Fist to Ground Strikes) – Round 1, 2:23
Preliminary Card:
Braden Pagaoa def. Federico Flores via TKO (Punches) – Round 2, 1:05
Ovidio Bojorquez def. Ben Goodwin via TKO (Strikes) – Round 2, 1:49
Alex Martinez def. Chris Sandoval via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Jacob Highley def. Luke La Vanway via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Keep an eye on the EVENTS section of MyMMANews.com for more updates from the world of regional MMA.
