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Tuesday, Sep 05, 2017

LFA Returns to Louisiana With Championship Doubleheader

By Press Release

HOUSTON, Texas – Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will return to Louisiana in the third week of September with a championship doubleheader.

The main event of LFA 23 will feature the first title defense of LFA welterweight champion Derrick “D-Rock” Krantz. The Texan powerhouse will defend his world title against undefeated super prospect James Nakashima. The co-main event of LFA 23 will feature the first title defense of LFA women’s flyweight champion Andrea “KGB” Lee. The charismatic cowgirl will defend her title against 82nd Airborne Army veteran Jamie “Pretty Assassin” Thorton. LFA 23 takes place Friday, September 22nd at Horseshoe Casino & Hotel in Bossier City, Louisiana. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

“Derrick Krantz and Andrea Lee will defend their LFA world titles in Bossier City on September 22nd,” stated Soares. “Krantz is a ruthless finisher that can end a fight with one punch. He will face the top welterweight prospect in the sport in James Nakashima. Lee is the first female champion in LFA history and will defend her title against the battle-tested U.S. Army veteran Jamie Thorton. LFA 23 will be another great night of MMA in Louisiana with a pair of fantastic world title fights.”

There are a limited amount of tickets still available, and can be reserved by calling 318-453-3730

The main event of LFA 23 will feature one of the most intriguing and high-stakes title fights of the year. The LFA welterweight title will be contested between a proud no-nonsense champion and a can’t miss blue-chip title challenger.

Krantz (20-9) captured the inaugural LFA welterweight championship in May with a tour de force that left MMA purists in a state of exhilaration and his opponent Ben Neumann in a complete daze. The Texan powerhouse unleashed his loaded fistolas early in the second round of their title fight and left Minnesota with a second world championship. Two years earlier, Krantz accomplished a nearly identical feat in the same state against UFC vet Brock Larson to win the Legacy FC welterweight title. Now that Krantz once again has gold firmly wrapped around his waist, he plans on adding some shine to that strap with his first title defense at LFA 23. The LFA kingpin now has his sights set on a blue-chip super prospect in one of MMA’s most pivotal title fights of the year.

Nakashima (7-0) is a special talent. His wrestling pedigree, fearless striking ability, and willingness to engulf himself in every aspect of martial arts has made him the surefire welterweight prospect that MMA pundits have eagerly been waiting for. Some experts argue, that no one in the division has started their career by dominating the level of competition that Nakashima has faced since Georges St-Pierre and Ben Askren. While the Illinois native and University of Nebraska wrestling standout has a long way to go before having his MMA accolades compared to “GSP” and “Funky”, he has undoubtedly taken his division by storm. The John Crouch protégé is not one to rest on his laurels. He has now signed on the dotted line to challenge the feared LFA world champion Derrick Krantz at LFA 23.

Lee (7-2) is one of the most talented female fighters in the world and a popular pick among fight fans to be the face of the newly announced UFC women’s flyweight division once the division takes hold later this year. “KGB” possesses a dynamic skill set, undeniable southern charm, and signature cowgirl accoutrements that has made her one of the most recognizable and adored fighters in the sport. The 28-year-old champion is now ready to defend her title on her adopted home turf of northern Louisiana. Lee is a dead shot on the feet and a submission savvy opportunist on the ground. She now looks to add a successful title defense to her résumé after a lengthy list of potential challengers pulled out, were denied travel visas, got injured, or decided against facing the fierce champion.

“I am more than ready to defend my LFA world title and put on a show for the fans,” Lee exclaimed. “This will be my fourth fight this year. I will show everyone why I am the best flyweight in the world on September 22nd!”

Thorton (4-3) is only one of a few women who was up to the task of challenging the champion Andrea Lee. The 33-year-old 82nd Airborne Army veteran has seen it all when it comes to combat. According to Special-Ops.org, the 82nd Airborne Division is an elite airborne infantry division of the U.S. Army, specializing in parachute assault operations into denied areas. That expertise will come in handy as she prepares to enter hostile territory to dethrone Lee at LFA 23. Everything about Thorton’s career points to the fact that she is an all-or-nothing kind of fighter. “Pretty Assassin” won four of her first five fights, including three straight finishes in under one minute. The most telling sign of Thorton’s go for broke style is the fact she has never seen a fight go out of the first round in seven pro bouts.

Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):

Main Event | Welterweight Title Bout (170 lb)

– Derrick Krantz (20-9) vs. James Nakashima (7-0)

Co-Main Event | Women’s Flyweight Title Bout (125 lb)

– Andrea Lee (7-2) vs. Jamie Thorton (4-3)

Light-Heavyweight Bout (205 lb)

– Ryan Spann (10-5) vs. LeMarcus Tucker (5-2)

Lightweight Bout (155 lb)

– Brandon Shavers (4-0) vs. Bryan Billiot (4-0)

Women’s Flyweight Bout (125 lb)

– Sabina Mazo (3-0) vs. Linsey Williams (1-1)

Featherweight Bout (145 lb)

– Kendrik Williams (4-0) vs. Peter Stanonik (4-2)

Catchweight Bout (177 lb)

– Nick Jackson (5-4) vs. Brandon Martin (4-3)

In September 2016, Legacy FC and RFA officials announced that they would be merging to form the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) starting in January 2017. Legacy FC and RFA have launched the careers of over 100 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.

LFA 23 will be the second LFA event to take place in the Shreveport-Bossier City metro area of northern Louisiana. LFA 23 will also mark the promotion’s third visit to the “The Pelican State”. Further information about LFA 23 will be announced soon. The entire main card of LFA 23 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.

 

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posted by FCF Staff @ 10:27 am
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