The LFA returns after three weeks away from the action, bringing an eleven-bout fight card at the time of writing to Owensboro Sportscenter in Owensboro, Kentucky.

Two titles are up for grabs on this stacked card, as John Sweeney and Allan Begosso square off for the recently vacated Bantamweight title in our main event. Dylan Budka and Azamat Bekoev are set to face off in the co-main for the Interim Middleweight strap, while prospects like Josiah Harrell and Lucas Clay look for statement wins.

Note: Four fights have suffered cancellations while drafting this write-up. I have still included the breakdown in the hopes that replacement opponents might get called in for some competitors.

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John Sweeney (12-3) vs. Allan Begosso (7-2-1) (Vacant BW Championship)

We have a terrific main event between two well-rounded fighters who I both view as UFC level. Sweeney is extremely technical and keeps a high volume with a wide striking variety on the feet with heavy kicks, also doing solid work with his wrestling and keeping the fight right where he wants it. Begosso is all action with incredible one-shot KO power as well as nasty guillotines and front chokes he will lock up in an instant, though he was recently dominated on the mat by Farid Basharat. I like Sweeney to use his technical advantages on the feet and the mat to dominate this over five rounds, though Begosso’s power could certainly crack his chin.

My Pick: John Sweeney via Decision

Dylan Budka (5-1) vs. Azamat Bekoev (15-3) (Interim MW Championship)

I am expecting some excellent wrestling scrambles in this one. Budka is coming off three straight wins in the LFA displaying his oppressive top control and wrestling, while his heavy-handed standup is also developing. Bekoev debuted in the LFA in February, mixing in striking with composed top control for a unanimous decision win over Renato Valente. has certainly fought the tougher opposition in defeats, but his record is padded against incredibly low-level competition for the majority of his victories. I like Budka’s wrestling to dictate where the fight goes with both of these fighters being forced to grind to the final bell in a competitive affair that sees Budka’s hand raised.

My Pick: Dylan Budka via Decision

Michael Roberts (9-8-1) vs. Josiah Harrell (6-0) (LW)

I’m not expecting this fight to be close. Harrell dominated the Ohio regional circuit before taking a step up in CFFC, taking home a TKO finish over a fellow undefeated prospect in his last outing. “Muscle Hamster” is a talented grappler with oppressive top control, but is not afraid to roll for a leg or outstretched arm to catch a submission. Roberts, while an entertaining finisher in his own right, doesn’t have the striking or wrestling to keep up with Harrell. I see Harrell dominating this and finding a finish whichever way he wants.

My Pick: Josiah Harrell via Knockout

Lucas Clay (9-2) vs. Ahmad Hassanzada (9-3) (LW) (Edit: Fight Cancelled)

Lucas Clay is returning after nearly a year away, last seen picking up the first knockout win of his career over Austin Wourms. “Cassius” is incredibly well-rounded and his slick grappling transitions emphasize that, maintaining control or quickly switching to a variety of chokes when needed. Hassanzada suffered a knockout loss on the Contender Series last summer, then was on the wrong side of a decision in February where he was lucky to make it to the scorecards. Hassanzada is a slick striker with serious power in his hands, but is undermined by his lack of defense and durability. Clay has the ability to ground this fight and dominate there but I actually expect him to find his second career knockout on the exposed chin of Hassanzada.

My Pick: Lucas Clay via Knockout

Nathan Williams (14-10) vs. Cortavious Romious (6-1) (150-lb. Catchweight)

I don’t expect this fight to be too competitive. Both are making their LFA debuts and while Williams has fought for the PFL, Romious has a much higher ceiling. Williams is a grinder, looking to secure points with distance striking and top control, mixing in submissions when available, though his neck is liable to be snatched up. Romious has more technical entries, better control, and has much more finishing opportunities. I see Romious dominating on the mat for a finish.

My Pick: Cortavious Romious via Submission

Aaron Bush (5-1) vs. Cameron Kinzig (2-0) (HW)

We have a fun stylistic clash here. Bush is well-rounded and can finish on the feet or on the mat, likely benefitting from a grappling advantage here. Kinzig trains out of Matt Brown’s Immortal Martial Arts Center and has impressed with his finishing ability, picking up both his pro wins and four amateur victories by knockout. Kinzig has a clear edge in both technique and power on the feet and will also benefit from a gigantic six-inch height advantage to help him keep the fight standing and find his third pro TKO.

My Pick: Cameron Kinzig via Knockout

Thomas Lane (3-0) vs. Lydell Miller (2-0) (MW) (Edit: Fight Cancelled)

Lane is a top-notch collegiate wrestler who has shown his ability to dominate fights on the mat, though his finishing rate could be improved. Miller prefers to stand and bang with middling takedown defense and also has not fought in nearly seven years. Lane should have little difficulty repeatedly scoring takedowns and I hope we see him work more aggressively for a finish, though I am not confident he will get it. Still, he has all the tools to get Miller down and keep him there.

My Pick: Thomas Lane via Decision

Aline Pereira (0-1) vs. Chelsea Conner (1-2) (FLW)

Aline Pereira, sister of former UFC Middleweight champ Alex Pereira, is returning after suffering a decision loss in her pro debut to the highly experienced Helen Peralta. While the loss displayed some of her defensive grappling issues, it also displayed her high-level striking and well-timed aggression. Conner is a grappler, though she does not have the wrestling Peralta exploited to great effect, often finding finishes off of her back. I expect Pereira to deny takedowns and pick her apart on the feet for a late TKO or dominant decision.

My Pick: Aline Pereira via Decision

Trent Nott (2-0) vs. Mataeo Garner (0-0) (MW)

Nott picked up both his pro wins over the same fighter on the regional circuit, getting the finish the second time out. He prefers to keep the fight standing and while I’m not blown away by his technique, he keeps a high volume. Garner is a former collegiate football player making his pro debut after back-and-forth success on the amateur scene, impressing with his heavy hands. He has the explosive to catch Nott’s defensive lapses, who I can’t trust at 35 years old.

My Pick: Mataeo Garner via Knockout

Kalakon Olieng (1-1) vs. Nicholas Maupin (3-4) (FTW) (Edit: Fight Cancelled)

Both fighters are making their LFA debuts here. Olieng has technical striking and picks his opponents apart from range, but can be controlled on the mat, though he displayed his defensive submission skills in his last outing. Maupin is much more of a brawler and is on the wrong side of a pretty clear technical differential. Olieng should have little difficulty keeping this standing and finding the knockout, though he also holds the grappling upside should he need to take it there.

My Pick: Kalakon Olieng via Knockout

Damon Bell (1-0) vs. Alonzo Turner (1-0) (WW)

Alonzo Turner impressed on the regional scene going 8-1 before turning pro and scoring an R2 submission in March. He has a fantastic wrestling background and really knows how to turn his own pressure into opportunities to finish. Bell is much more of a striker, recently competing in Bareknuckle Boxing, but remains better defensively on the mat than many people at his level. However, I still expect Turner to wade through the fire on the feet and dominate on the mat for a finish.

My Pick: Alonzo Turner via Submission

Itzik Yakabov (0-1) vs. Joshua Perreira (1-0) (FLW)

Perreira impressed with a quick submission in his pro debut, showcasing his grappling skills on the amateur circuit. Yakabov suffered his lone defeat by quick submission in Bellator, showing the mistakes he makes on the mat. While I am excited to see more from both fighters, Yakabov’s weaknesses play right into the skillset of Perreira.

My Pick: Joshua Perreira via Submission

Jayde Sheeley (0-1) vs. Diamond Long (0-2) (SW)

Sheeley is returning after suffering a R1 TKO to Nejra Repp in her LFA debut. She has developing striking fundamentals and keeps a good work rate with the ability to get the fight to the mat if needed. Long has suffered R1 TKOs in both her pro fights, both on the feet and the mat. I expect Sheeley to earn a dominant decision with volume striking and well-timed takedowns.

My Pick: Jayde Sheeley via Decision

Brooks Black (0-0 AM) vs. Dieye Papa Badara (1-0 AM) (Amateur HW)

My Pick: Dieye Papa Badara via Knockout

Christian Floyd (4-1 AM) vs. Zayne Havener (5-1 AM) (Amateur MW) (Edit: Fight Cancelled)

My Pick: Zayne Havener via Submission

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