Cynthia Calvillo (right) (photo via UFC)

By Press Release

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) and the two promotions that merged to create it, RFA and Legacy FC, have now seen its alum go 8-0 in the UFC in 8 days.

In only eight days, eight former fighters have gone 8-0 in the UFC. Last week, Lando Vannata, Ricky Simón, Montana De La Rosa, and Jonathan Martinez were victorious at UFC 234 in Australia. Last night, four more followed suit with Cynthia Calvillo, Andrea Lee, Luke Sanders, and Emily Whitmire all getting their hands raised at UFC on ESPN 1 in Arizona. Also like last week, one of the wins resulted in a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus.

“I am excited every time I watch our former fighters compete in the UFC,” stated LFA CEO Ed Soares. “Last week, we went 4-0 in Australia. Last night, we went 4-0 in Arizona. This current streak of 8-0, shows that when our fighters get to the UFC, they continue to impress against the best fighters in the world.”

Cynthia Calvillo was the first LFA alum to sign with UFC after the merger of RFA and Legacy FC in January 2017. Last night, she accomplished another first. She became the first female fighter to win a bout on the main card of a UFC event televised live on ESPN. She did so by defeating the seasoned-veteran and local favorite Cortney Casey in a three round war that played out primarily on the feet. Calvillo got to showcase her boxing skills after making a name for herself by dominating most fights on the ground.

Former LFA and Legacy FC women’s flyweight champion Andrea “KGB” Lee stayed perfect inside the UFC Octagon after making a successful UFC debut last May in Chile. The Louisiana based Texan got to showcase her world class Muay Thai skills throughout the contest as she battered her game opponent Ashlee Evans-Smith en route to a Unanimous Decision victory. Both fighters were ranked heading into this contest, which likely means Lee could now be cracking the Top 10 with another high-profile bout in her near future.

Another promotional champion also got their hand raised in Arizona. That would be none other than former RFA bantamweight champion “Cool Hand” Luke Sanders. The former RFA bantamweight champion starched the former UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barão just 61-seconds into the second stanza to secure the biggest and most impressive win of his career. The cool handed Tennessean started 2019 with a dynamic performance that also earned him a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus.

RFA alum Emily “Spitfire” Whitmire kicked off the event in spectacular fashion. The Las Vegas based Washingtonian needed only 61-seconds to secure a submission victory via Rear Naked Choke. The win came against the previously undefeated Moldovan born Russian fighter Alexandra Albu. This was Whitmire’s first professional win via finish and more impressively, her lightning quick choke was recorded as the fastest submission victory in UFC strawweight history.

LFA returns this Friday, February 22nd with LFA 61 – Allen vs. Murrietta

The main event will feature a middleweight title bout between LFA middleweight champion Brendan “All In” Allen and top contender Moses Murrietta. The event will take place at the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Minnesota, which is located 25 minutes southwest of Minneapolis / St. Paul. The main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

Tickets are on sale NOW at MysticLake.com

Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT):

Main Event | Middleweight Title Bout (185 lb)
– Brendan Allen (10-3) vs. Moses Murrietta (8-1)

Co-Main Event | Welterweight Bout (170 lb)
– Brandon Jenkins (12-6) vs. Mike Plazola (16-9)

Featherweight Bout (145 lb)
– Nate Jennerman (12-4) vs. Ken Beverly (8-3)

Flyweight Bout (125 lb)
– Lloyd McKinney (13-5) vs. Sid Bice (8-2)

Featherweight Bout (145 lb)
– Josh Marsh (5-1) vs. Jake Childers (5-0)

Welterweight Bout (170 lb)
– Nick Ammerman (4-1) vs. Dionisio Ramirez (7-4)

In 2017, RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA, the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts. The combined forces of LFA launched the careers of over 150 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC. In May 2018, the promotion joined the London Trust Media Holdings group of companies.

LFA 61 will be the tenth LFA event to take place in the state of Minnesota. RFA and Legacy FC hosted a combined nine events in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” before the merger. Six of those events took place under the RFA banner inside the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel. The entire main card of LFA 56 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.