By Danny Jones, (@Tidy_MMA on X)
Delve into the 28 professional bouts of Hot Springs’ Chauncey Foxworth, and one uncovers a remarkable narrative pertaining to the Arkansan’s middleweight endeavors.
Across all fifteen bouts contested at 185lbs, the 32-year-old has constructed a sensational 13-2 professional record that includes notable victories against former LFA middleweight championship contender Tim Hiley, Dana White’s Contender Series 2020 alumnus Jhonoven Pati, and Ultimate Fighter Season 17 alumnus/former UFC athlete Adam Cella.
Indeed, Chauncey is 11-2 in his thirteen most-recent bouts, all of which were contested at 185lbs. Only Bellator’s current middleweight champion Johnny Eblen and former UFC athlete (and former LFA welterweight champion) Derrick Krantz hold a professional victory over Chauncey at middleweight, and in both instances, the bout went the distance; Chauncey has never been stopped as a professional at 185lbs.
Chauncey’s middleweight trajectory paints a tantalizing backdrop to the biggest opportunity of his 185lbs journey thus far; a contest for the LFA Middleweight Championship against current champion Azamat Bekoev on 22nd June 2024, at LFA 186.
Having secured the Interim LFA Middleweight Championship against current UFC athlete Dylan Budka at LFA 160 before unifying the Championship with victory over Contender Series alumnus Lucas Fernando at LFA 173, Azamat Bekoev is certainly a formidable opponent for the challenger. In a recent interview with MMA Interesting Prospects, however, Chauncey said of his Russian opponent “I feel like I’ll be the toughest fight of his life, but I don’t feel like he’ll be the toughest of mine”.
Make no mistake, this was not a statement made lightly, nor absent of substance. Chauncey has faced a myriad of stellar competition that includes current UFC athletes Sean Brady and Bassil Hafez in addition to his aforementioned opponents. With twenty-eight professional bouts, Chauncey is by far the most experienced opponent to challenge the reigning LFA Middleweight Champion.
“I’ve seen a lot of his fights, and I’m just gonna say it – the guys [Bekoev] fought haven’t been on my level, just to be honest” Chauncey says. “None of the guys have. Anyway you put it, I’m just a better fighter. No disrespect to them – it’s not a pissing contest or anything, it’s just an honest opinion. I’m better. I truly believe that. I know he’s got a lot of hype around his name. I know he’s got a belt around his waist. I’m not impressed. I watched him, I know him like the back of my hand. I’m not impressed. He’s gonna have to show me. I don’t believe in it. I’m not starstruck, he’s nothing I haven’t seen before. He’s gonna have to show me. June 22nd, he’s gonna have to show me something”.
“Honestly on paper – and I hope he hears this – on paper he’s supposed to win” Chauncey admits. “So he better be his best self, and I want him to be so I can show people how easy I made this look. Not just win – I’m not just trying to win – I’m gonna make this [look as] easy as possible. I’m trying to dominate”.
A promotional return almost seven-years in the making, the championship matchup at University of Denver’s Magness Arena welcomes Chauncey’s third LFA bout. With his preceding victories over Nicholas Jackson (LFA 4) and Braden Smith (LFA 18) contested at welterweight however, LFA 186 marks Chauncey’s first LFA bout at middleweight.
Thirteen middleweight victories comprising of six stoppages and seven decisions against competition with a combined experience of 150 professional bouts render Chauncey well equipped for any eventuality against Azamat Bekoev. All considered, there is an undeniable sentiment that Chauncey is on the cusp of something special at LFA 186.
“No one knows you better than yourself” Chauncey explains. “There’s times, for this fight specifically, where I’ve prepared, and to where I’ve literally reached failure. Literally, I reached a failure point, and I had to push past that… I say that to say I know what I’m capable of. Again, no one knows you like you know yourself”.
“I just cannot wait to show everyone my capabilities” Chauncey continues. “I honestly believe with everything in my heart I’m gonna give the performance of a lifetime. The best performance you’ve ever seen from Chauncey. Any performance that you see me where you were like ‘Wow, Chauncey did amazing!’ – that’s nothing compared to what I’m gonna do Saturday. And I can’t wait to show the world; I can’t wait!”
The author extends his utmost gratitude to Chauncey Foxworth and Jamie McClintock for making this article possible.
Image credit to Gemini Snow Photography, courtesy of Chauncey Foxworth
