Legacy Fighting Alliance, one of the premier stepping stones to the UFC and other major companies, returns on Friday evening from the Gila River Resort and Casino for LFA 158. The main event will see a pair of 5-1 prospects, Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani and Jacobi Jones, battle it out for the right to call themselves LFA lightweight champion.
Fight fans can catch LFA 158 streaming live on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. Information on how to watch the preliminary bouts is TBA.
Vacant LFA Lightweight Championship — Lebosnoyani vs. Jones
There are plenty of similarities to be found between the two fighters competing in Friday’s main event: Lebosnoyani and Jones. Lebosnoyani who fights out of California Mixed Martial Arts in Hermosa Beach under coaches Rener Gracie, Jon Østergaard, Mike Saffaie, endured a first-round blitz at the hands of Spike Carlyle back in 2019, but has otherwise been perfect in his young career. He has since rattled off three first-round submissions using three different holds: a guillotine choke against Richard Santos, a triangle choke against Devon Brock, and a scarf hold armlock against Caleb Hall at an LFA event last summer.
“Mufasa” will likely need more seasoning before one day getting the call up to a major MMA promotion, however, and the same can be said for his eccentric opponent, Jones. “Big Toe” is a pupil of Marc Montoya at FactoryX Muay Thai and has likewise won consecutive fights coming into Friday’s main event. The main difference between Jones and Lebosnoyani is that Jones has spent his entire career in LFA and has repeatedly passed tests against fellow would-be prospects. Still, the dynamic Lebosnoyani should be the toughest test of his career.
Current odds see Lebosnoyani as a near-2:1 favorite, while Jones can be had at around a +165 price tag.
Co-Main Event — Ho vs. De Los Santos
The men’s flyweight division could have a serious contender on its hands in Vietnam’s An Tuan Ho. Ho trains out of the MMA Lab in Arizona, and should have the backing of a partisan crowd as he looks to make it 4-0 as a pro against Edwin De Los Santos in a rebooked fight from earlier this year. Ho also compiled a 7-0 amateur record with five finishes and spent the entirety of that time competing stateside in Arizona. Ho brings a punishing stand-up style to the table and has shown an enhanced killer instinct since turning pro, finishing all three of his wins to date. He flashed on the ground against Enkhjargal Banzaragch earlier this year, winning the fight with a kneebar in the second round.
De Los Santos made his pro debut for Bellator but dropped a decision to Eimar Hernandez in his most recent fight in Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat back in 2022. He will look to play spoiler against Ho, and could be the man to do it if he can implement a grappling-focused approach and take away the Vietnamese prospect’s best weapons. However, a stand-up battle is likely with Hernandez having knocked out three opponents as an amateur.
Rest of the Card
LFA 158 is a massive show, with an intriguing card to match. Aupuni Pagaoa is set to take on Humberto Duarte in the flyweight division. Cedric Katambwa, meanwhile, will look to move to 4-0 when he faces .500 fighter Austin Wourms. Meanwhile, Ivan Tena, coming off a 4-1 run in Combate, will make his LFA debut against 2-1 Riley Wiseman, and Eric McConico will lead off the main card when he takes on dangerous Brazilian Kevem Felipe in the middleweight division.
Friday’s preliminary fights will feature a mix of key pro and amateur bouts, with a pair of pro bouts set to lead into the main card. Flyweight Chance Ikei will make his professional debut against Joe Stafford, and lightweights Alex Martinez and Tyler Jones will make their pro debuts against once another.
With fights subject to change as always, be sure to stay locked into MMA Sucka for up-to-the-minute results and updates.
LFA 158: Lebosnoyani vs. Jones Results
Main Card
Jacobi Jones def. Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani via TKO (strikes, blood) at 2:24 of Round 2 — for the Vacant LFA Lightweight Championship
An Tuan Ho def. Edwin De Los Santos via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Aupuni Pagaoa def. Humberto Duarte via Knockout (right hook) at :50 of Round 2
Cedric Katambwa vs. Austin Wourms ends in a No Contest (Accidental Groin Strike) at :56 of Round 1
Ivan Tena def. Riley Wiseman via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Eric McConico def. Kavem Felipe via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Preliminary Card
Chance Ikei def. Joe Stafford via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Tyler Jones def. Alex Martinez via KO (Left Hook) at 1:43 of Round 1
Paul Marghitas def. Kyetin Lindquist via KO (Head Kick) at 0:14 of Round 1
Anthony Cruz def. Adrian Munoz via TKO (Ground and Pound) in Round 2
Grace DiFrancesco def. Maia Schmidt via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Ezra Elliott def. Deshawn White via Submission (D’arce Choke) at 1:20 of Round 1
Leon Mackey Jr. def. Chris Putton via KO (Left Hook) at 0:18 of Round 2
