LFA 129 goes down in Prior Lake, Minnesota, tonight in a suburb of Minneapolis. The big boys head up the card, as the LFA heavyweight title is on the line, in addition to several undefeated prospects entering the cage throughout the evening.
Main Event – Identical Undefeated Records
It is 5-0 vs. 5-0 as Minnesota’s Thomas Petersen puts his LFA heavyweight title on the line against Waldo Cortes-Acosta of the Dominican Republic. Peterson is one of the rising prospects at heavyweight, winning the belt last July at LFA 113 in a shootout lasting only a minute that left Vernon Lewis crumbled and Peterson with a new strap of gold.
The 27-year-old wrestler Petersen trains out of Spartan MMA in Farmington, which is a suburb of Minneapolis. The arena that he will attempt to make his first title defense in is less than thirty minutes from his residence- so he will enjoy a full home-field advantage against Cortes-Acosta. Not only has Petersen yet to see the judges in five pro fights, but he has yet to see a second round, winning every fight by TKO or knockout.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta will look to flex his boxing background against the wrestling of Petersen, not expecting to give up his undefeated record now. A veteran of Bellator, RUF, and LFA, Cortes-Acosta last appeared two months ago when he finished off fourteen-fight veteran Derrick Weaver in the second round with strikes. He may only be five fights deep, but he has already beaten some really solid competition in PFL and Bellator vet Mo DeReese and LFA vet Jordan Powell. The fight between these two young heavyweights comes down to who can pull the other into their game quicker- Petersen will likely aim to drag the Dominican down and maul him, while Cortes-Acosta will try to counter with his fast hands.
Rest of the Card
There are plenty of gems to go around in the remainder of the LFA 129 card, starting with the co-main event between undefeated featherweight Hyder Amil (5-0) and the more experienced Devante Sewell (9-6). Sewell has been fighting most of his career in the American Southeast, even fighting for Bellator, LFA, and CFFC. “The Grinder” Sewell fights Amil, who trains under Gilbert Melendez in San Francisco.
Former LFA light heavyweight title challenger and BKFC vet Tee Cummins also returns from that loss to work his way back to a title shot. His opponent is 22-year-old Dylan Budka, who is coming off of a nine-second KO at B2 Fighting Series. Also on the card is undefeated local fighter Quang Le (3-0), who will get a chance to add to the hype with the support of the hometown collective.
LFA 129 Results
Main Card (UFC Fight Pass, 9pm EST / 6pm PST)
Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Thomas Petersen via TKO (Punches) at 4:53 of round 3 to become the LFA Heavyweight Champion
Hyder Amil def. Devante Sewell via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
Tyus White def. Jeff Jepsen via Submission (D’Arce Choke) at 4:44 of round 1
Dylan Budka def. Tee Cummins via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:11 of round 2
Quang Le def. Sam Paneitz via Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)
Preliminary Card
Resehel Malik def. Kyles Vang via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
Austin Robinson def. Mike O’Gorman via Submission (Guillotine Choke) at :22 of round 2
Scott Writz def. Derek Smith via TKO (Punches) at 4:11 of round 1
Miguel Sanson def. Gonzalo Ponce via TKO (Shoulder Injury) at 5:00 of round 1
Amateur: Gabriel Wanderley def. Santos Verdinez via Submission (Armbar) at 2:55 of round 2
Amateur: Scott Zeller def. Andrew Wilson via KO (Punches) at :22 of round 1
Amateur: Mitchell Wilson def. John Fudge via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)
Amateur: Gunner Charboneau def. Eric Newman via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:07 of round 1
