Luis Francischinelli enters the biggest moment of his career on Friday night, headlining LFA 223 with the welterweight title on the line as he faces submission specialist Jonathan Piersma in a high-stakes clash of rising contenders.
For Francischinelli, it’s more than a championship opportunity, it’s a chance to cement himself as one of LFA’s next breakout stars on a stage built for future UFC talent. And the first thing anyone notices about the Brazilian striker is his sheer physical presence; standing an incredible 6-foot-6 at 170 pounds, it’s no surprise he’s viewed as one of the promotion’s most intriguing prospects.
“I’m just a skinny guy! I know I’m so tall, but I’m just a skinny guy,” Francischinelli told Cageside Press.
“Before, when (I first) started, I start 125. Like 15 years ago of course, but I started 125. I fought in Brazil, professional, 155. Imagine me 6’6 155! It’s crazy right?”
Francischinelli (5-0) is a rare blend of physical tools and mental sharpness. The Sao Paulo native, now training out of California Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness in Gardena, has a way of surprising people with how quickly his calm demeanor shifts the moment the cage door closes.
“Normally I’m this person you see outside the cage. When I’m in the cage, it’s two things for me. First one, it’s my job, it’s serious. I need to be serious right now. I’m not kidding, I’m not joking, I need to come in there and do my job,” he said.
“Second one, it’s my moment. The moment (is) only mine, is nobody else(s). I don’t have a problem, I don’t have bills to pay, I don’t have nothing. It’s just me against me. That’s what I’m thinking in there. When I’m inside the cage it’s my moment.”
Despite his imposing frame, Francischinelli carries himself with a calmness that seems almost out of place in a high-stakes fight week. He says that composure isn’t an act, it’s the product of years spent sharpening himself long before he ever stepped into an MMA cage.
“Before I (used to get) a little bit more nervous, but for MMA, my fights, I’m nice and easy. For me it’s natural. I have a lot of control, why, because I have a lot of experience in kickboxing. That’s my base,” he said.
“I have almost 100 fights in Brazil. That’s why today I’m so calm, I control more, be patient. I’m just looking for the opportunity and when I (see) the opportunity, I land it, and all the fights is over.”
At LFA 223 Francischinelli will fight for the LFA welterweight title against Piersma who comes into the fight fresh off a title win at Combat FC 10 in June.
“All the guys that I face, I never say no for nobody, I always say yes. Specially my first fight. They called me the same day, hey Luis you want to fight? My first MMA fight the guy 3-2, high-level grappling, lot of experience MMA,” he said.
“185 I fought my first one. I said yes, let’s go. I come in there, boom, beat him. For me it doesn’t matter you know. I know he’s a tough guy. Only respect with him and everybody else too.”
Though Francischinelli respects Piersma and every opponent he faces, his ambitions stretch far beyond Friday night. And to reach those goals, Piersma is simply the obstacle standing in his way, an obstacle he intends to remove.
“I only respect the guys because we (have) the same goal. We want to live this, but right now, he’s (in the way). Ok, let’s go. Let’s do this. For me it doesn’t matter who is in front of me. If it’s striking, grappling, wrestling. I don’t care. That’s why I’m here. I’m here for fight. I’m ready for everything,” said Francischinelli.
A win over Piersma would keep Francischinelli unbeaten, earn him a title, and put a microphone in his hands on a major platform, the kind of moment every rising prospect hopes for. While a UFC callout will be on his mind, he’s just as focused on the higher power he believes has guided him toward every milestone in his career.
“I need to say thank you of course for God. He’s the only way, the only truth, the only life I have is because of him. He gave me this opportunity,” he said.
“Second one of course I’ll call Uncle Dana! Hey, give me my chance man! I can have good fights, have good fight for the UFC, I’m a good fighter. People like me, like my style, and when I come, I’m coming to work.”
Watch the entire interview with Luis Francischinelli above. He faces Jonathan Piersma at LFA 223 on Friday night for the LFA welterweight title.
