Legacy FC 32 Recap – Thomas Almeida wins bantamweight title

By TXMMA Staff

Thomas Almedia wins impressive 17^th in a row; Texas prospects win at LFC 32

BOSSIER CITY, LA, June 20, 2014 – It was a successful Louisiana debut for Texas-based promoter Mick Maynard and the Legacy Fighting Championship this Friday night as the organization held Legacy FC 32 at the Horseshoe Bossier City Hotel in Bossier City. The main card was held on AXS TV as usual. It was a successful one for Texans as well with every fighter from the lone star state winning on the televised card.

The bantamweight title was on the line in the evening’s main event at Legacy FC 32, pitting highly-touted Brazilian Thomas Almeida against his fellow countryman and undefeated fighter Caio Machado. Favored headed into the bout, 22 year old Thominhas (Almeida) showed why as he racked up another first round TKO over a game but overmatched opponent in the 21 year old Machado. With this win Almeida now brings his record up to an amazing 17 wins with 0 losses. All 17 of his wins including this one have come by KO/TKO or submission. With his penchant for finishing fights it is easy to see why some pundits have labeled the Gold Team Fighter as “the top bantamweight currently not signed by the UFC.” He should retain that moniker for not much longer as this win is likely to push him over the edge and into the major leagues of MMA in the UFC. Until then, he’s your new Legacy FC bantamweight champion and he’s a good one.

The co-main event ended quickly as well with UFC lightweight Kyle Bradley stepping into the cage against East Texas stalwart Derrick Krantz. Bradley took with him a 4-2 record since getting released from the UFC in early 2010 but it was Krantz who showed up tonight, winning by rear naked choke submission midway through the first round. D-Rock snaps a 2 fight losing streak and rights the ship with this victory over yet another tough opponent.

Two additional Texas fighters represented the state well on the Legacy FC 32 main card in intrastate action versus their Louisiana counterparts.

Coming back from his first career loss (vs. Matt Lozano at LFC 24), Octagon MMA’s Klayton Mai was able to win his bout versus former MTV star Matt Schnell by first round armbar. Likewise, Geoffrey “Hands of Steel” Neal also kept his own momentum going with his second win a row to bring his pro record to 4-1 after beating Christopher Anthony by unanimous decision.

The AXS card was rounded out by two submissions courtesy of Quentin Henry and Toney Kelley over Nicholas Jackson and Christopher Pham respectively.

Legacy Fighting Championship 32 Quick Results

Main Card

• Thomas Almeida def. Caio Machado by TKO (strikes), RD 1, 4:17 * wins bantamweight title
• Derrick Krantz def. Kyle Bradley by submission (rear naked choke), RD1, 3:44
• Klayton Mai def. Matt Schnell by submission (armbar), RD2, 1:04
• Quentin Henry def. Nicholas Jackson by submission (armbar), RD1, 4:51
• Geoff Neal def. Christopher Anthony by unanimous decision.
• Tony Kelley def. Christopher Pham by submission (shoulder choke), RD2, 4:58

Prelims

• Brandon Martin def. Jovon Roberson by (guillotine choke), RD1,
• King Gladney def. John Clay by submission (guillotine choke), RD1,
• Andrea Lee def. Valerie Aspaas by unanimous decision. (no scores given) * amateur bout
• Spencer Flores def. Ariel Juarez by submission (rear naked choke). RD1 * amateur bout