LAS VEGAS, NV – LFA returned to action in July with four events in four weeks. Each event featured a world title fight and helped usher in a new era of live sports entertainment amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which caused a worldwide shutdown in sporting events in mid-March.
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After the UFC safely returned to action in May, LFA followed suit with all four July events taking place behind closed-doors. Each event adhered to strict health codes, safeguards, and testing protocols that were put in place for the safety of the fighters, cornermen, and event staff.
LFA is now ready to continue its residency at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Starting on Friday, August 21st, LFA will host four more closed-door events in a span of four weeks. These events will be available worldwide on UFC FIGHT PASS® at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
“I am excited to announced that LFA will be returning to the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota,” stated LFA CEO Ed Soares. “We brought four successful closed-door events to the Sanford Pentagon in July. This continued a great working relationship we established with the South Dakota Athletic Commission and Sanford Pentagon six summers ago, when we brought the first sanctioned MMA event to the state. Our partnership with Sanford Heath has allowed us to create a safe and healthy environment for our fighters and staff. We look forward to continuing our residency on our LFA fight campus in Sioux Falls. We return on August 21st and will host four events in a span of four weeks.”
LFA 88: Willis vs. De Jesus takes place Friday, August 21st. The main event will feature an explosive welterweight world title fight between two of the most accomplished prospects in the division. Jaleel “The Realest” Willis (12-2) and Vinicius “The Brazilian Bad Boy” De Jesus (9-2) are two of the biggest stars in the 170-pound division. Willis is a 4-time LFA veteran that has either headlined or co-headlined for the promotion in each of those bouts. Prior to competing in MMA, Willis received All-American honors in Greco-Roman wrestling. De Jesus, like Willis, has made a name for himself competing in Bellator. The second-degree BJJ black belt also won and defended the CES welterweight title. The winner of this vacant title fight will become the fourth welterweight champion in LFA history.