The LFA returns to Brazil this Saturday at the CIDE Casa Branca Sports Complex in Caraguatatuba, Sao Paulo with a twelve-bout card.

In the main event, the Interim Light Heavyweight title is up for grabs as Rodolfo Bellato faces off with Acacio dos Santos, while prospects like Lucas Rocha, Hugo Paiva, and Kauã Fernandes look to make statements. Unfortunately, betting odds are somewhat limited for this card, but LFA Brazil cards always bring the action.

---

Main Card

Rodolfo Bellato (9-2) vs. Acacio dos Santos (15-5) (Interim LHW Championship)

Rodolfo Bellato rebounded from his KO loss on last year’s season of DWCS with a first-round knockout on the LFA’s last card in Sao Paulo. He has a high-level jiu-jitsu background but also brings in heavy hands, though his defense and durability are cause for concern, as both his losses have come by first-round KO. Dos Santos is also a DWCS veteran, where he suffered a decision loss to Anton Turkalj, giving up eleven takedowns. He is a technical kickboxer but struggles off his back with poor takedown defense. While the potential for an upset KO is there, Bellato should have little issue grounding this fight and forcing the tap.

My Pick: Rodolfo Bellato via Submission

Anderson Ferreira (17-4) vs. Junior Luiz (9-4) (LW)

We have a fun striking battle here between two fighters looking to prove themselves above the regional circuit. Ferreira made a successful debut in his last outing, picking up a first-round knockout of Milson Castro. He is an aggressive Muay Thai striker who mixes his attack up well, though his head movement is poor, with two career losses by first-round knockout. Luiz is also a striker who likes to use his reach and long kicks to pick apart his opponents, although his grappling defense presents many holes. This is a close fight and the betting lines have moved to reflect that (props to early Luiz bettors). I expect we see a knockout either way, whether Ferreira finds a bomb or Luiz picks him apart, but I like the technique of Luiz to find Ferreira’s chin around the midway point.

My Pick: Junior Luiz via Knockout

Geraldo Neto (16-6) vs. Argemiro Delmandes (15-8) (WW)

Expect a knockout here. Neto has fought for Brave CF against solid competition, with all but two of his 22 pro fights ending inside the distance. He has heavy hands as well as a submission threat, though his chin can be found in prolonged exchanges. All but one of Delmandes’ pro fights have ended by knockout, win or loss, and it’s clear in his style, going into a brawl in the pocket early. I see a technical advantage and superior level of competition on the side of Neto and expect him to get a highlight reel KO here, though he is also the fighter with the grappling upside.

My Pick: Geraldo Neto via Knockout

Lucas Rocha (15-1) vs. Matheus da Silva (11-3) (FLW)

Lucas Rocha is making his LFA debut after impressing on the Brazilian regional scene with his exciting kickboxing style. He can mix it up on the mat as well, though he sometimes struggles to control his opponents, even at the low level. Da Silva has primarily fought for the Jungle Fight promotion and is much more of a grappler, looking to control his opponents from top position and work to a submission. I am interested to see more from both of these fighters against a higher level of competition, but expect Rocha to pick da SIlva apart on the feet and take advantage of his durability issues for a late knockout.

My Pick: Lucas Rocha via Knockout

VInicius Pires (6-1) vs. Kauã Fernandes (6-0) (BW)

Brother of emerging prospect Kaue Fernandes, Kauā has scored five finishes in his undefeated pro career in the Shooto Brasil scene, primarily impressing with his Muay Thai and slick jiu-jitsu transitions. Pires has faced solid opposition to this point in his career and mixes it up well, but is primarily successful with his top pressure and jiu-jitsu attack. I like Fernandes to scramble out of bad positions on the mat and do damage at range for the decision nod in his LFA debut.

My Pick: Kauā Fernandes via Decision

Hugo Cunha (6-1) vs. Fernando Batista (11-7) (HW)

Cunha is making his LFA debut here after suffering his first pro loss by split decision in ONE Championship. He is a constant finishing threat with heavy hands and a composed top pressure with the wrestling to control where the fight goes. He should roll through Batista with little issue, as Batista has a sub-par record against low-level opposition, also displaying issues with his chin. Unless Batista gets on top early, I see Cunha landing heavy shots for an early knockout.

My Pick: Hugo Cunha via Knockout

Prelims

Marcos Degli (8-3) vs. Hugo Paiva (6-1) (FLW)

My Pick: Hugo Paiva via Decision

Isaias Simões (8-5) vs. João Paulo Santos (11-3) (BW)

My Pick: João Paulo Santos via Decision

Manuel Robson Minoto (2-0) vs. Juan Pablo Vieira (3-0) (LW)

My Pick: Manuel Robson Minoto via Knockout

Levi Rodrigues (2-0) vs. Jose Carlos Lima (2-0) (LHW)

My Pick: Levi Rodrigues via Knockout

Rafaela Silva (0-0) vs. Aieza Bertolso (0-0) (SW)

My Pick: Aieza Bertolso via Submission

---

Check our home page at 9 PM EST for the live card results!