Legacy Fighting Alliance presented LFA 13: Millender vs. Holland on AXS TV at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport in Burbank, CA with a card full of Rear Naked Choke finishes and a beautiful Headkick KO.
Full results available here. All fights are sanctioned by the California State Athletic Commission.
Kyler Phillips defeated Jonathan Quiroz via Unanimous Decision
Neither guy had a real advantage early on in the 1st Round, but Quiroz had some good standup. It wasn’t until the 2nd Round when Philips was able to take Quiroz to the ground after an attempted spinning back fist by Quiroz. Philips dominated with his grappling in the second round having controlled Quiroz’ back for the majority of the round. He opened up the third round by landing a right and was able to take the back of Quiroz again after a scramble. He would use this to set up a Triangle Coke attempt on Quiroz midway through the round. Philips’ grappling was very dominant here, but Quiroz was able to look for a leg lock attempt before the fight came to an end.
Andrew’s Score: 29-26 for Philips (Philips’ grappling dominance was way too much for Quiroz in the last two rounds, so I scored them 10-8 for Philips)
Judges’ Scores: Gene LeBell: 29 28, Michael Bell: 29-26, Ron McCarthy 29-26 for Philips
Kyler Philips improves to 4-0, Jonathan Quiroz falls to 2-2.
Herdem Alacabek defeated Antonio Arroyo via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:51 of Round 1
Arroyo was coming into this fight on two week’s notice. This was also Sweden’s Herdem Alacabek’s first fight in the United States. Both guys came out with some strikes, but Alacabek was able to take it to the ground in the first minute of the round. Alacabek landed some nice Ground N’ Pound from the guard, allowing him to advance position and impose with his grappling. Alacabek’s performance in the first round was pure grappling dominance which allowed him to get the Rear Naked Choke submission finish on Arroyo in the 1st Round. Again, this was just a dominate showing from Alacabek who displayed some amazing wrestling skills throughout this bout.
Herdem Alacabek improves to 3-0, Antonio Arroyo falls to 4-2
Maikel Perez defeated Trent Meaux via Submission (Read Naked Choke) at 4:00 of Round 1
The Cuban Olympic wrestler Perez took the fight to the ground early with a takedown on Meaux and controlled the fight. Perez would apply a standing Arm Triangle before the fight went to the ground again. Meaux was able to turn the bout back to a standup battle before Perez took Meaux to the ground again and controlled his back before making Meaux tap to a Rear Naked Choke in the 1st Round. Great work by Perez in this one using his grappling to dominate Meaux while also showing some good striking skills.
Maikel Perez improves to 4-1, Trent Meaux falls to 6-3
Alonzo Menifield defeated Khadzhimurat Bestaev via Verbal Submission (Strikes) at 4:01
Coming into this fight, all of Bestaev’s (4-1 prior to the bout) pro victories had come via finish with a total combined time of 2:05 for those victories. Both guys cane out of their corners swinging wildly. Menifield was able to take Bestaev down early in the 1st Round after tripping him with a leg kick. After that, Menifield was able to dominate the fight with his grappling, forcing Bestaev to spend most of the fight on his back or with Menifield on his back. The fight was called off in the first after Menifield made Bestaev tap out to a grounded strike that might’ve broken the orbital bone of Bestaev.
Alonzo Menifield improves to 3-0, Khadzhimurat Bestaev falls to 4-2
Dominick Reyes defeated Jordan Powell via KO (Head Kick) at 0:53 of Round 1
Powell was riding a a three fight win streak and having won 5 our of his last 7 bouts. Reyes came into this with a perfect 5-0 record. Reyes showed some great patience and timing before knocking out Powell with a vicious head kick after Powell dropped his hands and began shaking his head “no” following a flurry, . The fight was short but sweet with a huge highlight reel head kick knockout.
Dominick Reyes improves to 6-0, Jordan Powell falls to 8-7
https://twitter.com/AXSTVFights/status/870833419382472704
Karen Darabedyan defeated Sam Liera via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:46 of Round 1
Liera came into this fight on three weeks notice to replace Darabedyan’s original opponent, Alex Reyes. Darabedyan came into this fight after almost a year off from action. The opening portion of the fight saw Liera use his striking to keep Darabedyan at a distance. Darabedyan would land a takedown that resulted in a Leg Lock battle with Liera before Darabedyan was able to advance to mount on Liera. Darabedyan was able to control Liera and landed some good Ground N’ Pound before a failed Armbar attempt that got the bout back to the feet to end the 1st Round. The start of the 2nd Round saw Darabedyan came out aggressive, landing a takedown in the first 20 seconds allowing him to dominate the round on the ground with grappling to help set up a Rear Naked Choke to get the win in the 2nd Round.
Karen Darabedyan improves to 13-6, Sam Liera falls to 13-9
Curtis Millender defeated Kevin Holland via Unanimous Decisio
Kevin Holland came into this fight with a five fight win streak, all of them coming by finish. Holland would take control early and press Millender against the cage during the 1st Round. Holland looked pretty sharp throughout the 1st Round and prevented Millender from doing much. Millender started to look as if he were coming around in the 2nd Round until he got caught with a punch from Holland to score a knockdown on Millender allowing Holland to control the fight. Millender began to mount a comeback on Holland, who was starting to look fatigued three minutes into the 2nd Round. Holland was able to take the back of Millender again, only for Millender to mount another comeback by pressing Holland up against the fence and landing strikes before the end of the 2nd Round.
At the start of the 3rd Round, fatigue seemed to be setting in on Holland who began to slow down and kept moving backwards as Millender pressed forward. Millender would work a standing Guillotine Choke attempt on Holland before Holland dropped to the ground to break the hold. Millender would land some Ground N’ Pound from Holland’s open guard. after this Holland would try to work a Triangle Choke at the end of the 3rd Round, but wasn’t able to finish it before time expired in the final round.
Andrew’s Score: 29-28 for Millender
Judges’ Scores: 29-28 for Millender
LFA 13 was a great night of fights with lots of dominant grappling to set up some nice Rear Naked Choke submission finishes. Dominick Reyes’ headkick knockout was a thing of beauty and will surly be highlight for years to come. This was also the final event to be called by longtime AXS TV and MMA commentator Michael “The Voice” Schiavello, who is leaving broadcasting to be with his family in Australia. AXS TV played a special tribute to Schiavello after the main card broadcast of LFA 13.
https://youtu.be/dJ_dH3Ol7uQ
