LFA featherweight Chris Mecate brings his 5-fight win streak into LFA 208 on Friday night hoping to score himself a shot at the UFC with a win over Javier Reyes.
Mecate (10-2) has fought for LFA three times putting together a 2-1 record all exciting bouts. The Bloodline Combat Sports product is fighting, not just for a victory at LFA 208, but a call from the top MMA promotion in the world.
“I get, hopefully, a dominant finish victory. I’ll call for the big boss in Las Vegas. Down in Las Vegas gets somehow ahold of it and goes, ‘Hey we’re going to give this guy a shot’. That’s who I’m going to call out. The big boss,” Mecate told Cageside Press.
“Everyone knows who the big boss is.”
UFC CEO Dana White is the man whom all emerging fighters have on their mind. The UFC now has a few different avenues into the promotion with The Ultimate Fighter, Dana White’s Contender Series, and short-notice bouts.
Mecate isn’t the only member of Bloodline with a shot at the UFC as teammates, and LFA champions, Richie Miranda and Lerryan Douglas await their chance at the big show.
“Don’t get it twisted there’s plenty of gyms with world champs, but coming up as one rising. That’s very rare. Anybody can handpick someone and just throw them in a room together,” he said.
“Did you develop them? Did you help them? Did you get them through losses? That’s a whole different mindset and camaraderie.”
On May 9th in Santa Cruz, CA at LFA 208 the target will be Reyes with the goal of scoring a spectacular, and dominant, finish in the main event. The man who usually doesn’t get much of a break in between fights used this one to prepare for a tough fight.
“I’m feeling physically and mentally great. It’s the longest break I’ve had in a while, but I’ve used to get better. I don’t take time off. I actually enjoy training, and fighting, and learning,” he said.
“We were supposed to fight him a while ago this year. I know there’s some visa issues and stuff so I’ve kind of had him a little bit mentally in my head, and I’m sure he’s had me as well.”
Reyes lost to Mecate’s teammate, Douglas, in 2024 but then put together two consecutive victories coming into LFA 208. The two were supposed to fight a few months ago so it’s been more of an extended camp for Mecate.
“We’ve honestly been in camp with him for a little bit even though the fight got cancelled. Mentally I was like, “No, it’s going to happen.” Me and him are both kind of at that level and at that spot. We’re going to try and go kill each other,” said Mecate.
“He has a kind of chaotic pace that he doesn’t stop. I’m hyper-aware of it. I’ve done my prep. He’s a tough fight, he’s a game dude, he’s fought all over the world literally.”
With the training done, and just fight week to go, it’s all respect between the fighters, but that cage door will be locked at some point.
“I respect him saying that, “yeah let’s do it.” Come to California and get it on,” he said.
“I got mad respect for him, but we’re going to get after it for sure.”
Watch the entire interview with Chris Mecate above. He headlines LFA 208 on May 9th in Santa Cruz, CA against Javier Reyes.
