BY RYAN BEVINS, ON TWITTER @BEVOIS
Lucas Fernando announced his arrival with the LFA in the most impressive of ways. The promotion was hosting its first international event at LFA 111 in July 2021 with a card so deep with talent, that the first two fighters that won that night, Gabriella Fernandes and Luan Lacerda, have already been signed by the UFC.
The third man to fight that night was Fernando and the Brazilian wunderkind handed João Vitor Dantas the first loss of his career in one of the most brutal ways possible. The end came midway through the opening frame when Fernando landed a Flying Knee that was equally beautiful as it was destructive. The knockout still stands as the only loss of Dantas’ career as well the first knockout in LFA history to take place at an event outside the United States.
Get your tickets for LFA 154: Fernando vs. Silva
Lucas Fernando with his mentor Pedro Rizzo.
Fernando was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and lives in the neighborhood of Curicica, which borders Jacarepaguá in the west zone of the city. This is one of the biggest hotbeds in MMA as it is the most famous city in a country that is credited as being the birthplace of modern day MMA. In fact, Fernando’s lineage in the sport dates all the way back to the early days of the UFC.
Marco Ruas won the one-night tournament at UFC 7 in September 1995 less than two years after the industry leader’s first event. Ruas would then teach Pedro “The Rock” Rizzo, who won “Fight of the Year” for his epic five-round heavyweight title fight with Randy Couture at UFC 31 in May 2001. Now just like his mentor, Rizzo, and Ruas before him, Fernando has brought the same grit and determination to the LFA Octagon as he prepares for his first world title fight at LFA 154.
“It’s definitely a great honor to represent the Ruas Vale Tudo flag in the MMA world,” Fernando told LFA.com. “Technically speaking, I don’t even have to say anything about Pedro Rizzo… other than he’s one of the greatest to ever do it. He’s a huge example for me, because he’s been in the game since the beginning, fighting and beating the best.”
Watch LFA 154: Fernando vs. Silva
Now as the 26-year-old heads into the biggest fight of his career against Jansey Silva at LFA 154, he can’t help but look back at the fight that punched his ticket to main event and title fight status. That fight came against Fabio Aguiar, who is a well-known Bellator standout that had 21 fights to his credit. That was nearly three-times the experience of Fernando and Aguiar was also fighting in front of roughly 10,000 of his loyal hometown fans in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. That fight at LFA 143 this past September had the biggest live attendance in LFA history and Fernando took full advantage of the opportunity.
“No doubt about it. I knew that when I fought Fabio, I had to go in there and make a statement,” Fernando explained. “Make sure everyone remembered my name after the fight and the only way to do that was finishing him.”
Fernando stopped the much more experienced, hometown favorite Aguiar by knockout at 2:55 of Round 1. In fact, all six of Fernando’s finishes have come in the first round and it was obvious to promoters and fans alike that Fernando is must-see TV and he was ready for the marquee. The proud Carioca will now fight for the LFA middleweight title in the main event of LFA 154. This is a title, which has seen the first six champions sign with the UFC and the gravity of the situation is not lost on the LFA Fans’ Choice Awards: Male Fighter of the Year (2022) nominee.
“I believe that God has good things in store for me after this next fight”, stated Fernando. “I feel happy and grateful for the opportunity and it’s a sign that my hard work during all these years is paying off. I’m looking forward to facing the best in the big show after I become an LFA champion.”
You can watch Lucas Fernando battle Dana White’s Contender Series headliner and Muay Thai champion Jansey “Jones” Silva in the main event of LFA 154. The event takes place this Friday, March 10th and it will be available worldwide on UFC Fight Pass at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
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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 GINÁSIO DO POLVILHO:
The Municipality of Cajamar, through the Department of Public Works and Services, coordinated the complete renovation of the entire structure of the Polvilho Gym. Maintenance and repairs were carried out in the entire infrastructure of the gym with new coverage, increase in the dimensions of the court, painting, accessibility to bathrooms, access ramp, installation of a new electronic scoreboard, new hydraulic basketball tables, renovation and installation of LED lighting in the entire indoor and outdoor area of the gym. The restructuring of the space will provide significant improvements for the court to host the numerous competitions held throughout the year and also for the sports projects in various modalities that the City Hall offers free of charge to the population. For more info visit the Cajamar official website.
