By TXMMA Staff // Mike Calimbas
Steven Peterson and Ricardo Ramos highlight impressive performances; Rafael Lovato Jr. also stays undefeated at LFC 46
ALLEN, TX – Legacy FC 46 happened last Friday, Oct. 2nd at the Allen Event Center in Allen, Texas. Given Legacy Fighting Championship’s ever-increasing schedule nationally, they don’t get to Dallas as often as they have in the past and this was their first appearance in DFW since February. Aside from UFC 185 back in March, this was the area’s largest MMA show of the year and it delivered as such.
The main event of the evening saw Octagon MMA’s Steven “Ocho” Peterson defeat formerly undefeated Blackzilian Irwin Rivera and look solid in doing so. The Floridian (Rivera) did look threatening with his combos coming in flurries throughout the fight but Peterson would defend well. He showed polish in landing takedowns when he needed to and slowing down his opponent’s assault. He also executed a pivotal takedown towards the end of the final round to solidify the decision victory, his firth in a row.
Somebody mentioned this now makes Octagon MMA 3-0 against Blackzilian fighters. They’re also 4-0 against fighters from Jackson’s MMA so there’s something to be said about the level that the entire team is fighting on, a testament to head coach Sayif Saud and his efforts towards making the DFW-based team a national powerhouse. In just a few short years the facility has become a destination gym for Texas-based fighters looking to make it into the upper echelon of MMA, including the UFC. And based on his last performance, Steven Peterson certainly looks to be on his way there.
Next up, another fighter out of Octagon MMA, Jason Sampson secured his 13th MMA win against overmatched Oklahoman Archie Lowe. Not much to say about this one other than it was quick and decisive with Sampson securing the takedown and finishing with strikes. Surely DFW area fight fans will now be clamoring for a fight between Sampson and fellow DFW rep and former UFC fighter Will Campuzano. The two have a long history which seems to have “escalated quickly” in the last few months with Campuzano calling out Sampson to no avail. For his part, Sampson has been dealing with some nagging injuries so he may not be back in the cage for the rest of 2015.
Speaking of blue chippers, Rafael Lovato Jr. showed he could be one in short time as he notches his second straight victory since entering pro MMA over Texas-based welterweight Kevin Holland. A good prospect in his own right, Holland was fearless in taking the fight on two-days-notice. He was overmatched in this one however as a clearly bigger Lovato used his world class grappling to take the fight to the ground and submit him with a rear-naked-choke little over a minute into the fight. Look for more from Lovato in the future.
Next up in our highlights, Brazilian Ricardo Ramos looked amazing and polished with his dominating victory over Next Generation disciple Cody Walker. Ramos was quick to secure the takedown and the ensuing scrambles resulted in a triangle/armbar victory for him midway through round one. Ramos has now finished 7 out of his first 8 opponents and looks to be on the same track as another former Legacy fighter, Thomas Almeida. He’s only one fight in though so times will tell where he goes from here but his trajectory looks high.
Other pro winners at LFC 46 included Victor Reyna taking a come from behind victory over Team Takedown’s Andrew Parker, George Pacurariu looking aggressive as ever vs. Eliazar Rodriguez and Sean Holden winning by RNC over Dakotah Atnip.
Elsewhere on the undercard, BQuick’s Levi Mowles scored the fanciest sub of the night with his submission win by “twister.” He also had a calf crusher set up but chose the spine tingling sub to finish Jacob Norsworthy. Team Tooke’s Texas Zombie Cody Owens also looked good in defeating Guy Mezger fighter Evers Anderson for the Legacy amateur bantamweight title. Camron Couch and Jon Camero rounded out the LFC 46 winner’s circle.
Check out photos and video highlights below.
Complete image gallery available for order via Mike Calimbas Photography here.
Legacy FC 46 – Quick Results from October 2, 2015
Main Card (AXS TV)
- Steven Peterson def. Irwin Rivera by unanimous decision
- Rafael Lovato Jr. def. Kevin Holland by submission (RNC), RD1 1:24
- Jason Sampson def. Archie Lowe by TKO (punches), RD1 0:54
- Ricardo Ramos def. Cody Walker by submission (triangle armbar), RD1 2:39
- Victor Reyna def. Andrew Parker by TKO (punches), RD3 4:51
- George Pacurariu def. Eliazar Rodriguez by unanimous decision
Prelims
- Sean Holden def. Dakotah Atnip by submission (RNC), RD1 3:41
- Levi Mowles def. Jacob Norsworthy by submission (twister), RD1 3:28
- Jessie Vasquez def. Josh Nealey by submission (RNC), RD1 3:57
- Cody Owens def. Evers Anderson by TKO (punches) RD1 1:48 * amateur title
- Camron Couch def. Dylan Giguere by split decision * amateur bout
- Jon Camero def. Robert Mozisek by unanimous decision * amateur bout
Legacy FC 46 – Photo Highlights
Legacy FC 46 – AXS TV Video Highlights