Analysis

APFC 14 Main Event Breakdown: Linne Battles Echeverria for Flyweight Supremacy

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Now that we’re in the later stages of fall, that means, among everything else going on, the nights get longer. With shorter days the norm for the time being, that also means fight nights are longer, as well. Sunday night, the MMA weekend comes to a close with APFC 14 from Milwaukee’s Potawotami Casino Events Center

Cody Linne Goes to Battle Against Roybert Echeverria This Sunday Night

Live coverage begins Sunday afternoon at 3 pm ET/ noon PT with prelims on YouTube before heading over to UFC Fight Pass at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT   All told, barring any 11th-hour cancellations between now and Sunday, the final version of APFC 14 features 18 bouts from Anthony Pettis‘ promotion on YouTube and Fight Pass.

Highlighting the night’s activities is a championship doubleheader. Immediately following the APFC 14 co-main event, the headlining affair sees the APFC Flyweight Championship in the APFC 14 main event.

Incumbent APFC Flyweight Champion Cody Linne (9-1 MMA, 4-0 APFC) heads to the cage for the third time this year when he meets up with challenger Roybert Echeverria (9-2 MMA, 1-0 APFC) , an alumnus of the late Titan FC and Dana White’s Contender Series, in the headliner. In accordance with the language on the fight contract, the APFC 14 main event is an advertised maximum of three rounds at five minutes per round to close the show.

APFC 14 Main Event Fighter Comparison

Heading into the APFC 14 main event on Sunday night,  champion Cody “The Codebreaker” Linne stands as the taller combatant at 5-foot-6, compared to the 5-foot-5 frame of Roybert Echeverria. The challenger owns a 67-inch reach, with no such information accessible at press time for the champion.

Currently, the oddsmakers have yet to release money lines for APFC 14 on Sunday night. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight in MMA this weekend, please wager responsibly.

Dissecting Cody Linne

“The Codebreaker”, Cody Linne, enters the APFC 14 main event on Sunday night having gone 5-0 in his last five fights. At present, he’s on a seven-fight winning streak dating back to August of 2022 during Pure FC 24 in Oak Creek, WI.

Most recently, Linne defended his 125-lb. championship by way of unanimous decision in APFC Waukesha RMBL against Jonathan Sepulveda (10-5 MMA, 0-1 APFC) on Aug. 17. Sepulveda is set to return on Sunday for APFC 14 versus Miguel Sanson in a nontitle affair. Unlike most APFC shows in the past, due to APFC Waukesha RMBL taking place on the same evening as UFC 305, the former card wasn’t streamed live as it happened.

That night, Linne displayed his ground game throughout the contest, dropping Sepulveda and landing ground and pound shots. In so doing, he controlled the pace of the fight, slowing it down and ensuring that Jonathan Sepulveda couldn’t have a chance to respond.

Cody Linne’s key to victory in the APFC 14 main event couldn’t be any simpler: Get Roybert Echeverria down to the mat as early as possible. One takedown combined with ground control could be the perfect recipe for a successful defense of the APFC Flyweight Championship. It might be enough to get himself signed to the UFC, but only time will tell.

Looking at Roybert Echeverria

In the other corner, Roybert Echeverria has posted a record of 3-2 in his last five fights, alternating wins and losses in his last four contests. Most recently, he scored a second-round knockout by way of head kick versus Eimar Hernandez (7-2 MMA, 0-1 APFC) during the aforementioned APFC Waukesha RMBL on Aug. 17.

Earlier on in his MMA career, Echeverria rattled off seven consecutive wins upon turning pro in September of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic until  and has been known to be an explosive fighter when the cage door closes on fight night.

His 2023 fight versus Pololu Nakanelua during CFFC 125’s main event at a contracted catchweight of 130 lbs. is an example of his intensity. During the second round of the fight, Echeverria moved from side to side to stalk his opponent, absorbing punches to the body before landing kicks to the leg.

Upon sprawling with Nakanuela on the ground, Echeverria applied the torque to lock up an anaconda choke, forcing Nakanuela to go out in under three minutes’ time. Roybert Echeverria has some options as to what to do if he secures control of the fight on Sunday evening. He just may finish the APFC 14 main event with a brilliant submission.

Final Thoughts

This is a classic strength versus strength affair on Sunday night. Both of these guys are equally adept on the ground. The first fighter to exploit a weakness in his opponent’s gameplan will be the fighter to emerge victorious in the APFC 14 main event. Take your dinner into the TV room and watch the fight while you eat. You will not want to miss this contest.

Prediction: Cody Linne by Unanimous Decision. 

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Drew Zuhosky has been writing about combat sports since May of 2018, coming to MMASucka after stints at Overtime Heroics and Armchair All-Americans. A graduate of Youngstown State University in Youngstown, OH, Drew is a charter member of the Youngstown Press Club. Prior to beginning his professional career, Drew was a sportswriter for YSU's student-run newspaper, The Jambar, where he supplied Press Box Perspective columns every week.