The LFA returns to Sao Paulo, Brazil for a thirteen-bout fight card this Saturday!

In the main event, Rose Conceição and Elaine Lopes square off for the Interim Strawweight title while Wellington Prado and Marcio Barbosa throw down in a Featherweight clash in the co-main. The card also features undefeated prospects like Jefferson Nascimento, Rafael Tobias, Michael Oliveira, and many more looking to add to their win streaks.

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Rose Conceição (6-0) vs. Elaine Lopes (6-1) (Interim SW Championship)

Rose Conceição secured a unanimous decision in her LFA debut over Mayara Thyns, showcasing her ground control. andcrisp striking fundamentals. WHile she has three finishes and two submissions to her name, her grappling prioritizes control over submissions, while I would like to see a more diverse striking attack on the feet. Lopes is returning to the LFA after a submission loss in her promotional debut, since rebounding with two victories on the regional circuit. She pushes a high pace and can find success on the feet or the mat, but gives up more takedowns and significant strikes than she should with her movement. I expect a close affair on the feet with Conceição mixing in control time for the decision nod.

My Pick: Rose Conceição via Decision

Wellington Prado (13-2) vs. Márcio Barbosa (13-2) (FTW)

This may be my most anticipated bout on the card. Prado has displayed all the makings of a solid prospect with a high fight IQ, solid defensive and offensive grappling, as well as a patient and technical striking game, picking up a decision win over Italo Gomes in his LFA debut. Barbosa is a dangerous fighter on the feet and the mat with thunderous KO power and the shot selection to make it useful, along with a quick guillotine if his opponent shoots a lazy takedown. Unless Barbosa can land a KO shot in the first, Prado will outland him on the feet and control him on the mat as his volume wanes for a late stoppage.

My Pick: Wellington Prado via Knockout

Jefferson Nascimento (9-0) vs. Italo Gomes (12-3) (LW)

After an impressive run on the regional scene and a dominant decision in his LFA debut, Nascimento scored the biggest win of his career last time out, picking up a quick knockout over the previously undefeated Matheus Rocha. Nascimento is dangerous wherever the fight goes with a various kickboxing attack on the feet and solid top control, though his defensive grappling is yet to be tested. After a close decision loss to Wellington Prado in his last LFA appearance, Gomes rebounded with a first-round knockout on the regionals, just the second of his career. Gomes has a high-level jiu-jitsu game and is hard to control on the mat, also dangerous off of his back. I think Gomes will seriously test the grappling defense of Nascimento and win out a close decision, mixing in damage on the feet with consistent ground control.

My Pick: Italo Gomes via Decision

Bruno Suema (13-4) vs. Alisson Murilo (8-1) (FLW)

22-year-old Murilo is getting a step up here after showcasing his various skills on the Brazilian regional scene, boasting powerful Muay Thai as well as a composed top game on the ground and improving takedown defense. He is never in a boring fight and brings action on the feet and on the mat. While Suema holds solid BJJ prowess, he has not competed in over six years and isn’t much of a threat on the feet. Murilo should rack up damage on the feet for a late stoppage or dominant decision.

My Pick: Alisson Murilo via Knockout

Daniela Antonelli (5-1) vs. Estefani Almeida (8-2) (130-lb. Catchweight)

Antonelli has made her way up on the regional circuit against less-than-stellar competition, primarily impressing with her kickboxing, as while she mixes in top control when available, her wrestling is fairly limited. Almeida has fought on the Contender Series before and rebounded with an armbar stoppage, but there is much to be made about her poor level of competition, beating inexperienced fighters and losing to ranked UFC fighters. I think this fight will primarily play out on the feet and while I like Almeida to get her hand raised, I do think this will be a close contest.

My Pick: Estefani Almeida via Decision

Rafael Tobias (8-0) vs. Miguel Porto (3-1) (LHW)

Tobias has dominated on the regional circuit with his high-level ground game, punctuating his relentless top pressure with heavy ground and pound and constant submission threats. While his striking is coming along, I still need to see more improvements in his defense. Porto is a dangerous striker with three early knockout wins but is susceptible once secured on his back. While a Porto KO could spoil the show, Tobias should ground this fight early and find a finish before the midway point.

My Pick: Rafael Tobias via Submission

André Lima (5-0) vs. Igor Taylon (7-2) (FLW)

Andre Lima has impressed me to this point with a wealth of experience in kickboxing but has also displayed solid wrestling skills in his fights to this point, along with four first-round knockouts. Taylon will certainly be his toughest test to date, as he showcased his well-rounded skills and impressive scrambling ability under the Brave CF banner. I think Lima has the technical advantages striking and the wrestling ability to keep the fight primarily on the feet, though Taylon should keep the bout competitive wherever it goes.

My Pick: André Lima via Decision

Thiago Ivan (7-2) vs. Gabriel Costa (7-0) (LW)

I really like Costa as a prospect, he has fantastic transitions on the mat and goes for a variety of submissions, but has also displayed his striking prowess in the LFA octagon, picking up a first-round left hook KO in March over Rhalber Bernardo. Ivan is also well-rounded with good Muay Thai and composed top control, though he is defensively susceptible and has not faced high-level opposition to this point in his career. I think Costa shows off his boxing before dragging this to the mat and finding a finish.

My Pick: Gabriel Costa via Submission

Francisco Ataliba (2-1) vs. Michael Oliveira (4-0) (WW)

Oliveira has shown his dangerous striking skill, picking up four first-round knockouts in his pro career, including two under the LFA banner. His striking diversity, range, and technique all look solid to go along with his knockout power, though there are still many questions to be answered about his full MMA skillset. Ataliba does not seem like the type to test it, however, as the limited tape available leaves little to suggest he can get this to the mat or withstand the striking onslaught for long.

My Pick: Michael Oliveira via Knockout

Cassio Arduini (4-0) vs. Renildo Monteiro (6-0) (FLW)

We have a fun clash of grapplers here. Arduini impressed with a quick heel hook in his LFA debut, while Monteiro has worked his way through the Brazilian regional circuit, dominating from top control and mixing in his improving striking, though his defense is still questionable. I rate Arduini as the better grappler, but he will be facing a clear size disadvantage here. If Monteiro can keep this standing and avoid danger in the first round, he should come away safe, but I like Arduini to snatch up one of Monteiro’s long limbs quick.

My Pick: Cassio Arduini via Submission

Guilherme Uriel (3-0) vs. Abner Rodrigues (2-1) (HW)

Uriel quickly impressed in his LFA debut, picking up a head kick knockout for his third consecutive first-round finish. He has solid striking diversity for a Heavyweight but I’d like to see some better movement to set up his shots. While his defensive ground game is primarily untested, he has gotten an armbar finish. Rodrigues is making his LFA debut and also loves to trade on the feet with some pro kickboxing on his resume, although his defense needs some work. Uriel should continue his finishing streak without too much issue.

My Pick: Guilherme Uriel via Knockout

Nawira Ferreira (1-0) vs. Lany Silva (2-0) (SW)

Lany Silva impressed in her LFA debut, securing a decision win over 4-0 Sabrina Oliveira. The former kickboxer does excellent work from range, dictating space with her jab and whipping kicks. While I still want to see more development in her defensive grappling, she has enough wrestling to ward off Ferreira’s poor takedown attempts and won’t spend time in Ferreira’s guard. I expect Silva to rack up volume for a clear decision.

My Pick: Lany Silva via Decision

Rafaela Silva (0-1) vs. Gabriela Fujimoto (2-0) (118-lb. Catchweight)

20-year-old Fujimoto returns to the LFA, looking for her third victory under the LFA banner. She has displayed well-rounded skills to this point, working technical kickboxing on the feet from range with quick BJJ transitions and solid defensive wrestling in her back pocket. Silva’s lone bout was a quick submission loss and it’s hard to find what she brings to stop the rise of Fujimoto, who I expect to earn a dominant decision.

My Pick: Gabriela Fujimoto via Decision

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