FRIDAY, MARCH 24
LFA 155: DO NASCIMENTO vs. HODGE
MAIN EVENT:
“MULISHA”
RAFAEL DO NASCIMENTO
vs.
“THUNDERKAT”
JERRELL HODGE
INTERIM BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FIGHT
LIVE on UFC FIGHT PASS®
SENECA NIAGARA RESORT & CASINO
NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW AT TICKETMASTER.COM
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — LFA CEO Ed Soares announced details today about the promotion’s third event in New York. The main event of LFA 155 will feature an interim bantamweight title fight between two of the division’s top prospects when the promotion returns to the Empire State. LFA 155 will be the third LFA event to take place in the state, while the main event will crown the ninth 135-pound champion in LFA history.
LFA 155 takes place Friday, March 24th at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, New York. The main event will feature an interim bantamweight world title fight between Machida Karate standout Rafael “Mulisha” Do Nascimento and Midwest powerhouse Jerrell “Thunderkat” Hodge. The entire main card will be available worldwide on UFC FIGHT PASS® at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
“We are excited to return to New York at the end of March,” stated Soares. “The Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino is a world-class venue. The American and Canadian fans that attend our shows there are incredible. Niagara Falls is a worldwide destination and we will be bringing a third headliner to the city with worldwide appeal. Rafael “Mulisha” Do Nascimento and Jerrell “Thunderkat” Hodge will fight for the LFA interim bantamweight title in the main event of LFA 155. The winner will then get a chance to unify the title against current champion Muin Gafurov later this year.”
Tickets for LFA 155: Do Nascimento vs. Hodge are available for purchase through Ticketmaster.com.
Do Nascimento (8-1) enters 2023 at the top of every MMA pundits “can’t miss” prospect list. This is a complete 180 from how he started last year, when he signed with the LFA as a relatively unknown entity and took the division by storm. The talented Brazilian began his career by picking up six wins (five by submission) in his home country. The last of those wins took place just before COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, which made it nearly impossible for prospects around the world to find opportunities. That caused the Mato-Grossense to drop off the MMA radar for two and a half years. The man known as “Mulisha” decided it was time to take his talents abroad and made his way to Los Angeles, where he found the Machida Karate dojo, which is home to former UFC champion Lyoto Machida, Bellator veteran Chinzô Machida, and former LFA featherweight champion Bruno Souza. That move was followed by him signing with the LFA and enjoying a career-year, which saw him become the only fighter in the promotion to be nominated for Fighter of the Year, Knockout of the Year, and Submission of the Year. Now that he has shed his unwarranted underdog label, Do Nascimento has his sights set on LFA gold.
Hodge (9-3) is a man that began his pro MMA career seven and a half months after Do Nascimento on the opposite hemisphere. While the American comes from a different country and continent, he has faced similar obstacles along the way, which makes their championship showdown even more compelling. The proud Cleveland, Ohio native jump started his MMA career in the amateur ranks over a decade ago by compiling a staggering 11-1 record. 8 of those wins came by stoppage, which includes a knockout win over Cody Garbrandt. This is the same Cody Garbrandt that went on to become the UFC bantamweight champion and one of the biggest stars in the sport. “Thunderkat” found similar success as a pro, where he enjoyed a 5-fight win streak before dropping decisions to two current UFC standouts. After a three year hiatus from the sport, due to similar circumstances that had caused Do Nascimento to do the same, he returned to his winning ways by dominating his last four fights. Hodge supplemented this with four professional boxing matches and currently finds himself at the top of Ohio’s pound-for-pound rankings on Tapology.com. More importantly, he now looks to become the third Ohioan to win an LFA title.
Currently Announced Fight Card:
Main Event | Interim Bantamweight Title Bout (135 lb)
– Rafael Do Nascimento (8-1) vs. Jerrell Hodge (9-3)
Co-Main Event | Lightweight Bout (155 lb)
– Solomon Renfro (10-3) vs. Gláucio Eliziário (10-7)
Women’s Strawweight Bout (115 lb)
– Ashley Nichols (5-5) vs. Jamie Colleen Miller (5-4)
Flyweight Bout (125 lb)
– Joseph Camacho (5-0) vs. Luis Gurule (4-0)
Flyweight Bout (125 lb)
– Rodney Kealohi (5-3) vs. Alvaro Prado (5-2)
Middleweight Bout (185 lb)
– Liam Anderson (3-2) vs. Kohlman Scribner (3-2)
In 2017, RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA launched the careers of over 270 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC. In 2018, the promotion joined the Imperial Family Companies group (formerly London Trust Media). In 2019, the promotion announced a broadcast partnership with UFC FIGHT PASS®. In 2021, the LFA expanded internationally by hosting multiple events in Brazil.
Please visit LFA.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Facebook.com/LFAfighting. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.
About LFA:
LFA is a professional Mixed Martial Arts promotion that gives rising stars and top contenders the opportunity to prove their talent to fans and leaders in the industry. LFA was formed by the powerhouse merger between RFA and Legacy FC. LFA presents live Mixed Martial Arts events on a monthly basis around the United States including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas, and Houston. Based in Las Vegas, NV, LFA is one of the most active and respected MMA organizations in the fastest growing sport in the world. (The Octagon, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, UFC®, and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC. All rights reserved).
About UFC FIGHT PASS®:
UFC FIGHT PASS® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, UFC FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features; behind-the-scenes content; in-depth interviews; and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. UFC FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 20,000 bouts from dozens of combats sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access UFC FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV. For more information, please visit ufcfightpass.com.
About IMPERIAL FAMILY COMPANIES:
The Imperial Family Companies maintains a diversified portfolio with one common theme: bringing power to the people. The IFC is proud to partner with the LFA management team to showcase the greatest talents of tomorrow. Learn more about the IFC at ImperialFamily.com.
About SENECA NIAGARA RESORT & CASINO:
Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino is a full-amenity resort located in picturesque Niagara Falls, New York. Featuring 604 rooms and suites, our AAA Four-Diamond rated hotel is the region’s premier vacation destination. With ten restaurants, seven shops, more than 2,500 slots, and over 80 table games, live poker, keno, a full-service spa, flexible meeting facilities, rewarding promotions, superstar entertainment, and exciting nightlife, Seneca Niagara is consistently rated as a must-see Niagara Falls casino. From honeymoons to family getaways, your adventure starts here. For more info visit SenecaNiagaraCasino.com
