Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) returns to Sioux Falls, SD, for LFA 182: McKee vs Hernandez. In the main event, undefeated bantamweight prospect and former Minnesota Gopher “Merciless” Mitch McKee faces off against the 4-1 Jose Hernandez. Injuries delayed McKee’s 2024 campaign, but a win here could see him competing in a Dana White Contender Series bout later this year.
The original co-main event of Khuseyn Shaykhaev vs. Michel Lima was canceled due to an injury to Shaykhaev. His twin brother, Khaseyn Shaykhaev, will step in as a replacement. LFA is expected to stream the final three prelims of the night on their YouTube channel (time TBD), with the main card streaming exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 9:00 PM Eastern.
Remainder of the Card
LFA cards often showcase a strong mix of regional talent and rising stars. A few standouts on this card include:
Cedric Gunnison- Having held titles in Ring of Combat as well as CFFC, Gunnison, makes his LFA debut when he faces the undefeated Nikita Kulshin out of Russia – who was an IMMAF Champion in his ammy career.
Michael Blockhus-While Blockhus may only bring a record of 1-0 into his LFA debut, this All-American out of the University of Minnesota showcases yet another example of a high-level collegiant wrestler making the transition into MMA.
M,A, Yah II-The name that will stand out most on this card, “Mayah” wrapped up his amateur career with a short-notice fight at CFFC 118 where he upset the hometown fighter, Nick Galanti, to earn the CFFC Middleweight Next-Gen Championship. Since going pro, he has gone 2-0 under the Dynasty Combat Sports banner. Coming into this fight, he also has a fight already booked for June, showcasing how he feels this fight will go in his favor.
Cheyanne Bowers-When it comes to WMMA, it’s always a pleasure to come across some of the next-generation of women athletes. Bowers made her pro debut in a loss against Naranjargal Tsendayush at LFA 144 – which earned Tsendayush a PFL Challenger Series invite. Since then she has stacked wins against Anna Crutchfield (who was originally scheduled to make her Fury FC debut this past week), Aline Pereira (sister of UFC Lightweight Champion, Alex Pereira), and Whittany Pyles (a fighter who Erin Blanchfield made her pro debut against).
LFA 182 Results
Main Card
Mitch McKee def. Jose Hernandez via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-27, 30-26)
Khaseyn Shaykhaev def. Michel Lima via Split Decision (28-29, 30-27, 30-27).
Zac Coffman discovered MMA through a VHS tape of UFC 3. Since then, he has become a knowledgeable observer of the sport, with a particular focus on the talent and compelling narratives found in regional MMA.
