LFA 199: Main Card Preview & Predictions
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The opening week of 2025 for MMA kicks off with two blockbuster regional MMA events featuring a host of promising prospects. One of the standout cards is LFA 199, set for January 10th at the Tachi Palace Casino Resort in Lemoore, California. The event will stream live on UFC Fight Pass, starting at 10pm ET.
The undercard features several debuts, including Shealor Ladd, the brother of UFC veteran Aspen Ladd. The main event showcases longtime LFA contender and Shooto Brazil champion Ary Farias, who faces Erick Visconde, a late-notice replacement. With numerous high-profile matchups planned for LFA this year, LFA 199 is poised to set the tone for the year. Check out our staff predictions for the main card:
Ary Farias vs. Erick Visconde
Two Brazilians look to get a step closer to the LFA featherweight title in the main event. Ary Farias (14-4) is LFA veteran who recently won the Shooto Brazil Bantamweight title on May 2nd, 2024. He steps in vs. a surging 28-year-old, Erick Visconde (14-3) who is now 1-1 in the promotion after winning at LFA 194 in October.
Farias is a high-level jiu-jitsu practitioner. What he lacks in skill on the feet, he more than makes up for with slickness in the ground game. Where he may struggle in this fight though, is getting the fight there. After leaving the LFA for a two-fight stint in Shooto Brazil, Farias is looking to bring his new championship status to the LFA cage and reenter his name into the title picture.
Visconde has a very well rounded MMA base. He seems to do a little bit of everything well. Despite coming up on the Brazillian regional scene, Visconde has recently fought in the USA, as well as Finland. Prior to that, his only international experience was against a high-level Russian in Chechnya. He has a very fun striking style, but is also very smart in his approach.
Entering the main event on short notice, Visconde is at a disadvantage in both preparation time and experience. But, his youthfulness will be a huge advantage for him. He must keep the fight standing to win. For Farias, he must find his way to impose his will in the grappling and get the fight to the ground. If he can wear on him early in the fight, the short-notice nature of the match will be prevalent. Expect Visconde to feel out the grappling of Farias in the opening round before trying to impose his will against his opponent by utilizing his striking and counter grappling. The opening round will give you a clear picture of what is to come.
Prediction: Erick Visconde via 2nd-Round KO/TKO
Josh Hokit vs. John Lopez
Bellator veteran, Josh Hokit (2-0), faces a former CFFC fighter in John Lopez (2-1) at heavyweight in the co-main event. Since his fight in the CFFC, he has one win by finish on his record. Hokit on the other hand, has two professional fights both ending by finish on the ground. This fight may not last long as both men are looking to cement their future in the LFA heavyweight division.
Hokit is a wrestler by trade, but his athletic career started in American football, reaching the NFL. He has a heavy right overhand and will utilize his jiu-jitsu once he gets the fight on the ground. Lopez on the other hand is a brawler. He is a big, athletic heavyweight but he has proven to not be a bad grappler. This is the toughest fight of their career, so do not be surprised if there is a feeling out process. This fight will create an instant contender for the LFA title.
Prediction: Josh Hokit via Decision
Rafael do Nascimento vs. Brandon Altomare
This is a featherweight bout where two natural bantamweights face off. Rafael do Nascimento (9-3) was originally supposed to fight Emran Tara Khail, a talented prospect from Afghanistan. But now, he takes on an American prospect in Brandon Altomare (4-1). He was a highly regarded prospect who is looking to make a rebound. While the native of Washington is looking to break onto the big stage with a win ahead of the UFC’s return to Washington in February.
Rafael has previously beaten well-regarded LFA prospects like Marcus McGhee and Justin Wetzell, winning by finish. He has also previously fought for the LFA bantamweight title against John Sweeney. He is a patient striker, with heavy hands and the ability to throw really nice kicks up high. Altomare on the hand, is significantly less experienced but, pushes the pace and will look to wrestle. Once on the ground, he has good ground-and-pound, and can keep up the pace. Despite the promising start to his pro career, this is a huge step up in competition.
Prediction: Rafael do Nascimento via 2nd-Round KO/TKO
Enkhtur Bayartsogt vs. Shovkhal Churchaev
A pair of lightweights face off at 160 pounds due to the short-notice nature of the matchup. It features a Mongolian fighter in Enkhtur Bayartsogt (7-4) who is riding a 3-fight winning streak, all by way of second-round finish. Shovkhal Churchaev (5-2) is a very experienced fighter despite his record standing at 5-2. He’s had several cage boxing matches, as well as modified rules MMA fights. This will be his U.S. pro MMA debut.
Bayartsogt is most comfortable on the feet, but has shown capabilities on the ground, especially in defensive positions. He has also proven the ability to make in-fight adjustments. Churchaev is also a striker by nature. His film is quite limited, but many know him from his skirmish with Paulo Costa at UFC 294. He refers to himself as “The Head Gangster” and his fighting style reflects that. He throws aggressive hooks and is not afraid to utilize all four limbs. This fight should be a lot of fun… Make sure to tune in for Churchaev’s money dance when he enters the cage.
Prediction: Shovkhal Churchaev via 1st-Round KO/TKO
Said-Magomedov Abdulgaziev vs. Theo Haig (5-0)
Two middleweights square up as a 14-fight veteran, Said-Magomedov Abdulgaziev (7-7), makes his U.S. pro MMA debut against a two-fight Bellator veteran making his second walk to the LFA cage.
With all of his MMA fights ending by submission, the American, Theo Haig (5-0) will look for a sixth finish to add to his pro record. Fighting out of Dagestan, Russia, Abdulgaziev is coming off two straight losses via ground-and-pound. Despite the available film being limited for Abdulgaziev, it seems he is a hard-nosed fighter who is comfortable everywhere. Despite that, he has been put in bad positions in both the striking and the grappling. Haig is rapidly improving his striking and is a very capable grappler. He will use his striking to initiate his wrestling and transition to his slick ground game. With another quick win from Haig, it most likely leaves him 1-2 fights away from a shot at the UFC.
Prediction: Theo Haig via 1st-Round Submission
Larry Gonzales vs. Billy Ray Valdez
This is a heavyweight bout between two large, experienced strikers facing off in the first fight of the main card. Expect this one to be over quickly, so do not blink. Both men have a common opponent in prospect, Steven Asplund, both losing. Larry Gonzales (5-3) went the distance, where Billy Ray Valdez (3-1) lost due to a doctor stoppage via a cut.
Gonzales most recently had a boxing match in November of 2024 and weighed in at 292 pounds. Before that, he had two consecutive losses in MMA. Valdez is a striker, who has previously fought for CFFC beating a highly regarded prospect in Ian Allston. He has stepped into the LFA cage two times going 1-1. He also has experience in boxing.
This fight could end up going either way as both men will cut to reach the heavyweight limit. Neither man is afraid to get into a scrap and would like to have a quick night at the office. The first to land heavy will most likely win with ground-and-pound.
Prediction: Billy Ray Valdez via 1st-Round KO/TKO
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