More fights in this Global Pandemic, more fights in Sioux Falls for the LFA 88. Jaleel Willis was able to edge Vinicius de Jesus on the Judges’ scorecards to Capture the LFA Welterweight title
Main Event
Jaleel Willis vs Vinicius de Jesus – Welterweight
Round 1
Feeling out with Willis doing a little more
Round 2
Leg kicks by de Jesus adding up
Round 3
Close round, more leg kicks by de Jesus
Round 4
leg kicks, with Willis countering sometimes
Round 5
Same, stagnant.🚩 Willis wins by Unanimous decision
It was a pretty stagnant fight. Willis ate a lot of low kicks, and was on the back foot all fight. Neither guy really wanted to clinch. de Jesus was coming forward, but not really offering much with the hands. This fight was basically two, average-to below average boxers, boxing. de Jesus has very strange fights, (case in point, his fight with Jerimiah Wells) I don’t know if guys just dont want to put hands on him, or if he just has a reputation for doing awesome things on the ground, but guys usually want to stay away from him. de Jesus has a great chin though… So there’s that. There is a case to make that de Jesus won this fight, but I didn’t really care, because neither guy really put their stamp on this fight. Pretty standard linear fight.
Aaron McKenzie vs Glaucio Eliziario – Lightweight
Round 1
These guys are throwing heat. Eliziario is just landing more. The Brazilian takes the fight to the ground and beats up McKenzie. McKenzie comes back and rocks Eliziario, and gets the RNC in the scramble and gets the tap. 🚩 McKenzie wins by submission
This fight was just madness, not a lot to break down. Eliziario was a little unlucky in this one, but a fight is a fight. I hope to see more from McKenzie
Natan Levy vs Ben Lugo – Featherweight
Round 1
They clinch, Levy gets the takedown, they scramble, stand up, and Lugo gets Levy down. Levy is able to get out of danger and get better top positions in the first round
Round 2
Levy gets rocked with a right, and beat up. Levy almost gets finished and throws a great double leg and lays and prays to save himself
Round 3
Levy shoots, and gets on top and does some damage. Levy swarms him and is able to keep Lugo close and ride it out. 🚩Natan Levy wins by Majority decision
This fight should’ve been a draw, Ben Lugo put the screws to Natan Levy in the second round, and it was a very clear 10-8 for me. Levy has a good engine, he’s work rate is pretty good, his striking is average and is wrestling is not very technical, and just a lot of hard work. Lugo can build off this loss. Lugo needs to dive deep into Jiu Jitsu and I think he can be a real player.
Kegan Gennrich vs Evan Elder – Lightweight
Round 1
Gennrich throws some kicks, and Elder moves around well and throws one shot at a time, Gennrich is having some success using his reach advantage.
Round 2
Elder gets more accurate and is landing more punches. Gennrich is fighting very square.
Round 3
Slow stuff from Gennrich. Elder is just a little faster and is throwing some good body shots. 🚩 Elder wins by Unanimous decision
Didn’t get to see any grappling from either guy. Gennrich doesn’t really use his physical tools very well. He Needs to get into Muay Thai and work on his clinch game, and develop faster hands. Elder is good, but not very dynamic. Its early days for these two guys though
The McKenzie and Eliziario fight was unbroken