Legacy Fight Alliance returns to Santa Cruz, USA this Friday for the stacked LFA 178 fight card, headlined by a light heavyweight interim title fight between Uran Satybaldiev and Bruno Assis. Assis is moving up in weight following his unsuccessful bid for the LFA middleweight strap against Ozzy Diaz, who also features in the main card against Bellator veteran Chuck Campbell.
Better yet for fans at the Kaiser Permanente Arena, they will be treated to appearances from LFA prospects Miguel Jacob, Diego Bianchini and Edmund Kwan. Read on for our Pintsized Predictions for every fight taking place this Friday.
Uran Satybaldiev vs Bruno Assis
In just his second fight with LFA, Uran Satybaldiev finds himself challenging for the interim light heavyweight championship. The 29-year-old has transitioned his sambo background successfully into the MMA sphere, highlighted by his decision win against Gabriel Thimoteo last time out. While his hands remain relatively sloppy, his 6’4″ frame allows him to sway away from incoming strikes. There is a worry that Satybaldiev tends to freeze in the pocket under heavy volume, however, he also times excellent trips if an opponent oversteps the mark.
Not that submission specialist, Bruno Assis, will particularly mind ending up on the mat. After a career spent journeying across a multitude of regional promotions, the Brazilian appears to have found a home at LFA. Although it has been a year and a half since Assis’ last outing, he enters Friday off the back of a dominant first-round submission against Jesse Murray. The 31-year-old’s game is focused around cage control and his submission arsenal, but he will struggle to match Satybaldiev’s physicality on Friday.
Satybaldiev vs Assis Prediction: Satybaldiev TKO Round 2
Miguel Jacob vs Jeff Creighton
UFC fans need to look no further for future talent than the co-main event between Miguel Jacob and Jeff Creighton. Jacob overcame his underdog status last April when he coasted to a decision victory over Ryan Leininger. The 26-year-old is the next Brazilian prospect to hail from Kings MMA, showcasing an orthodox striking style reminiscent of his training partners.
Jacob faces a stiff test on the mat, however, against Jazzy Jeff Creighton. The LFA debutant is a limited striker but his takedown threat has so far papered over the holes in his game. There are parallels to Creighton’s skillset to Nate Landwehr – both operate with a similar volume and pace on the feet to press opponent’s against the cage and eventually work a single leg takedown. As Jacob struggled to handle Josh Streacker’s wrestling-heavy approach back in 2022, and has since shown little to suggest improvements, Creighton should be backed.
Jacob vs Creighton Prediction: Creighton Decision
Adam Wamsley vs Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani
After suffering the ignominy of three stoppage losses in a row, Adam Wamsley resurged with back-to-back first-round submission wins to cap off 2023. The 32-year-old is a technically and athletically limited fighter, yet his style provides decent entertainment, in addition to possessing a killer calf kick.
Not that it should matter much against rising talent Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani. The 25-year-old has already proven himself to be well above Wamsley’s level and is taking the fight as a tune-up after a year out of the octagon. Mufasa is a high-risk fighter who throws caution to the wind from the opening bell and his blockbuster style overshadows his impressive top game.
Wamsley vs Lebosnoyani Prediction: Lebosnoyani Submission Round 1
Chuck Campbell vs Ozzy Diaz
At what point do we rate surviving nearly four rounds against Modestas Bukauskas above a third-round KO win over Jared Vanderaa? That is the Chuck Campbell question, my friends. He is a horrendously low volume striker with gaping TDD holes, but equally, his powerful left hook was enough to destroy grappling whizz Andy Clamp.
That power is the only interesting factor in his upcoming fight against Ozzy Diaz. The 33-year-old has been stopped on the feet twice before in his professional career, including most recently in his Dana White Contender Series appearance against Joe Pyfer. His issues on the feet arise when he can’t settle behind his jab, though, an area in which he should be free to dominate against Campbell.
Campbell vs Diaz Prediction: Diaz Decision
Hussain Bakhsh Safari vs Stav Koren
Two years on from a 22-second knockout loss, Hussain Bakhsh Safari returns to the octagon aiming to rebuild his career. The 30-year-old is a nuisance once stuck to an opponent’s back, which he showcased most effectively against Petr Berg as he ragdolled the Russian for three rounds.
Unfortunately for Safari, he may struggle to find a dominant position against prospect Stav Koren. The Israeli is alert to any opportunities to take the fight to the mat and has proven impossible to shrug off the top across his three professional wins so far.
Safari vs Koren Prediction: Koren Decision
Diego Bianchini vs Bakhromjon Mashrapov
The Brazilian Bad Boy, Diego Bianchini, is an entertaining fighter to watch. Combing a capoeira background and explosive athleticism, Bianchini provides an early-round threat that forces opponents to approach with extreme caution. Likewise, his high-risk style will leave plentiful openings for Bakhromjon Mashrapov to take the fight to the ground where he can flex his jiu-jitsu chops. The 23-year-old can be passive at times on the mat, which could lead to a razor-close decision, but hopefully he has learnt from tough fights early in his career.
Bianchini vs Mashrapov Prediction: Mashrapov Decision
Preliminary Undercard
Cristian Giovannie vs David Solorzano Prediction: Solorzano Decision
Aris Arguello vs Edmund Kwan Prediction: Kwan TKO Round 2
Ryan Houston vs Chase Whitmer Prediction: Houston Decision
Jacob Horton vs Ueslei Alves Oliveira Prediction: Horton Submission Round 1
Israel Delgado vs Davaajamts Batsuren Prediction: Delgado Decision
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