LFA 223 Archives - Cageside Press

LFA 223: Piersma vs. Francischinelli Full Results

Staff — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 22:19:18 +0000

The vacant Legacy Fighting Alliance welterweight title was on the line in the main event of Friday’s LFA 223.

Jonathan Piersma and Luis Francischinelli threw down to claim the promotion’s 170lb championship, previously held by fighters like Gabriel Bonfim, Carlos Leal, and Jason Jackson, among others.

Having previously appeared on Road to UFC, Piersma was looking to work his way back to a UFC opportunity. Luis Francischinelli was undefeated to start the night, and had spent his entire pro career with LFA.

Where to Watch LFA 223

Legacy Fighting Alliance is in action on Friday, November 21, 2025 with LFA 223 taking place at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, New York. The main card streams live on UFC Fight Pass starting at 9PM ET, 6PM PT following online prelims; full results can be found below.

LFA 223: Piersma vs. Francischinelli Results

Main Card

Jonathan Piersma def. Luis Francischinelli via R3 SUB (RNC), 1:22 – for the vacant LFA welterweight championship
Jeff Creighton def. Diego Bianchini via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Steve Collins def. Kyle Pufahl via R1 TKO, 4:01
Joe Taylor def. Shealor Ladd via R1 KO, 0:35
Taner Trembley def. Cole Alaxanian via R3 SUB (Guillotine), 3:57
Kelton Sneve def. Kevin Carrier via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Jayde Sheeley vs. Aline David Ends In A Draw (28-28, 28-28, 28-28)

Preliminary Card

Farman Hasanov def. Abdurakhmon Fozilov by TKO (doctor’s stoppage), Round 1, 4:58
Jake Woodley def. Adland Benson by TKO (ground n’ pound), Round 1, 4:37
RJ Harris def. Al Marro by KO (punch), Round 1, 2:17
Sebastian Ruiz def. Nick Eldridge by TKO (punch), Round 2, 1:26
Travon Eller def. Mus’Aib Baiyina by TKO (slam and punches), Round 1, 0:29
Hope Chase def. Nikola Kacperska by split decision

The post LFA 223: Piersma vs. Francischinelli Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

“This Is My Moment”: Luis Francischinelli Chases Welterweight Gold and UFC Call at LFA 223

Eddie Law — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 16:46:56 +0000

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.

The post “This Is My Moment”: Luis Francischinelli Chases Welterweight Gold and UFC Call at LFA 223 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Kevin Carrier Eyes Statement Win at LFA 223: “He’s the Perfect Dance Partner for Me”

Eddie Law — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 15:24:24 +0000

Kevin Carrier returns to the LFA cage this Friday at LFA 223, carrying renewed confidence and a sharpened skill set as he prepares for a pivotal showdown with rising contender Kelton Sneve.

For Carrier (4-1), this matchup isn’t just another booking. It’s a chance to reassert his place among the promotion’s most dangerous lightweights and prove he’s ready for the next level. His last fight, a victory over Dey McIntosh at LFA 211 in June, brought him back to the win column after suffering the first loss of his pro career.

“Being a little older the plan was to be undefeated for as long as I can be. I thought, no disrespect to Kyle (Pufahl), I thought for sure I was going to win that fight. I knew he was tough, I knew he was dangerous, but I didn’t forsee myself losing,” Carrier told Cageside Press.

“It happens. Once that happened, I’ve been there as an amateur quite a few times. Never lost two back-to-back.”

That loss to Pufahl in March didn’t slow Carrier down one bit. Now in his early 30s, he knew he needed to get back in the cage quickly, and the McIntosh matchup presented the perfect opportunity. The fight was close, and for a moment appeared to be slipping away, until Carrier snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

“Keeping the judges out of it was good. It was definitely satisfying because…I felt the pressure. I felt the pressure and I think that was another reason why I felt like such a shell of myself. I was like damn, I’m 3-1 right now, 3-2 won’t look too good. I got a real uphill battle being at the age I am,” he said.

“He came out completely different than I was anticipating. He came out real methodical, real patient, he’s a hella athletic kid. I felt the speed. He was going tit for tat with me.”

McIntosh may have held the momentum entering the third round, but Carrier had done his homework and knew an opening would eventually present itself.

“The other thing I did see in the lead up was like he’ll shoot, and when he does, he kind of leaves his head open for guillotines. Third round, I threw that push kick, I know I got a good guillotine,” he said.

“Hook line and sinker.”

Carrier didn’t hesitate when asked what stands out about Kelton Sneve. He sees a fighter whose record doesn’t tell the full story, someone built for hard rounds and high-pressure moments.

“He’s tough, he’s young, he’s dangerous. He’s a gamer. Even though he’s lost he’s one of those guys that doesn’t really know how to lose,” he said.

“He’s there from bell to bell. In his one loss as a pro was arguably fight of the year against an undefeated guy. That being said, he’s young, and I’m expecting the best version of himself this time.”

Still, for all the danger Sneve brings, Carrier sees just as many opportunities. The matchup, in his eyes, is the kind of stylistic clash that brings out his best work.

“He also has some concrete holes that he has in his style that I think I can exploit. He’s like the perfect dance partner for me. My last few guys have just respected me too much almost, and this kid I know he ain’t going to respect me,” said Carrier.

“He’s going to come forward, he’s going to bring it and so am I. If he’s anticipating what he saw in my last two fights, it’s going to be something completely different.”

Watch the entire interview with Kevin Carrier above. He faces Kelton Sneve at LFA 223 this Friday night.

The post Kevin Carrier Eyes Statement Win at LFA 223: “He’s the Perfect Dance Partner for Me” appeared first on Cageside Press.

Kyle Pufahl Eyes Breakthrough Moment Ahead Of Collins Fight at LFA 223

Eddie Law — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 23:25:58 +0000

Kyle Pufahl steps into the spotlight at LFA 223 on Friday night, carrying momentum, maturity, and a growing sense of urgency as he prepares to face fellow prospect Steve Collins in a matchup that could shape the next chapter of his rise.

Pufahl (6-2) is a natural finisher, with four of his six wins coming by knockout. In his most recent outing, he went the distance in a hard-fought decision over Kevin Carrier, proving that the 26-year-old doesn’t chase finishes, he capitalizes on them when the moment is there.

“I think it’s all about reading situations and stuff. Instead of just going right in the fire, which isn’t probably the best thing unless you’re down in rounds and stuff, but early on you got to be calculated,” Pufahl told Cageside Press.

“If you’re landing shots, see what his reactions are, what it could set something up. That’s how I really stay patient. Reading body language, and how he reacts to whatever I’m doing.”

Pufahl isn’t the type of fighter who backs out easily, even when his body gives him every reason to. He made it clear that once he’s committed, he’ll do everything in his power to make sure the fight happens. He suffered a rib injury right before the fight with Carrier, but refused to withdraw from the fight.

“I don’t think there was any thought that I wasn’t going to fight. Prior to that night fighting Kevin, we were booked originally in Niagara, and that got canceled. When that situation happened, my rib popped out, I was like, “No f*cking way I’m pulling out,” he said.

“That’d suck for me, that’d suck for Kevin because he put in all that work for two camps too.”

At LFA 223 he takes on the undefeated Steve Collins who is 3-0 in LFA with two TKO finishes to his name in that span. Pufahl has spent time studying Collins, and the first thing that stood out was the pace he brings. He sees Collins as the kind of fighter who refuses to slow down, no matter the moment.

“He’s got a good tank man. He just keeps throwing and throwing. Good pressure, he brings a competitive aggression to it too when he’s fighting and stuff. That’s what I see the most. There’s other stuff too. He’s a good skillful fighter,” he said.

“Good competitive spirit that comes forward and pushes.”

“You never want wars. I mean, maybe you do, but you want to just save your brain as much as you can until you get into a war in the higher rankings or in the UFC. A quick finish would be cool, that’d be great, get the fan base up a little bit,” said Pufahl.

For Pufahl, the long game is just as important as the fight in front of him. Every training session and every win is part of a bigger picture he’s constantly replaying in his mind. The goal of getting to the UFC is never far from thought.

“I think about it all the time. I always have it on my mind thinking about it,” he said.

“Visualizing the process to getting to the fight or in the fight itself. Like the finish, the steps you need afterwards, winning the next couple fights to wherever you need to get into the UFC.”

Watch the entire interview with Kyle Pufahl above. He takes on Steve Collins at LFA 223 this Friday night Nov. 21 from the Seneca Niagara Falls Resort and Casino.

The post Kyle Pufahl Eyes Breakthrough Moment Ahead Of Collins Fight at LFA 223 appeared first on Cageside Press.