Recent “The Ultimate Fighter” competitor Shamidkhan Magomedov picked up right where he left off on the regional circuit this weekend, putting away Alfonso Leyva early to defend his interim LFA Welterweight Championship for the first time.
Magomedov stopped Leyva in just 77 seconds, ending the main event of LFA 194 from the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, New York, USA.
The slick boxing of Magomedov stopped the five-round fight from exiting the opening few minutes. After throwing out a pair of lead jabs, Magomedov scored with a brutal right cross which sent Leyva falling to the canvas.
Magomedov seemingly thought the knockdown would be enough to end the fight, throwing his arms up in celebration after landing the punch. However, the referee hadn’t seen enough to end the bout just yet. Magomedov charged forward and threw a two-punch combo, with another right hand connecting and flooring Leyva. This second shot finally put an end to the bout.
The statement performance was Magomedov’s first fight since appearing on Season 32 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” He had a quick run on the show earlier this year, getting eliminated in the quarter-final round following a submission loss to Omran Chaaban.
Magomedov had a strong run on the regional scene before that defeat, putting together wins in the LFA and Russian promotion Eagle FC. He captured the promotion’s interim 185-pound belt earlier this year, putting away Devin Smyth in less than four minutes with ground and pound.
After winning his interim belt, Magomedov made it clear that he was still focused on joining the UFC roster.
Leyva, a finish-heavy prospect emerging from Mexico, was given a title opportunity this weekend after earning a flying knee finish in his last appearance. He has now lost two of his last three appearances.
Earlier in the night, former Bellator title challenger Austin Vanderford returned to the regional scene with a 65-second finish against Victor Romero. The fight was his first assignment after the end of a seven-fight run in Bellator.
The co-main event saw United Arab Emirates-based prospect Mirafzal Akhtamov score the fastest win of his career, catching Scottie Stockman in just 53 seconds with a guillotine choke.
Friday’s card notably proceeded without a clash between Josiah Harrell and Uelliton Silva. The bout was set to be Harrell’s first return after departing the UFC roster and undergoing brain surgery.
Here are the quick results from LFA 194:
Main Card (9:00PM EDT) (UFC Fight Pass)
Bout 13: Shamidkhan Magomedov def. Alfonso Leyva via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 1:17) (Interim LFA Welterweight Championship)
Bout 12: Mirafzal Akhtamov def. Scottie Stockman via Submission, Guillotine Choke (RD 1, 0:53)
Bout 11: Erick Viscondi def. Busurmankul Abdibait via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 10: GiGi Canuto def. Ershirley Kessy via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 4:03)
Bout 9: Austin Vanderford def. Victor Romero via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 1:05)
Bout 8: Lance Lawrence def. Jacob Bohn via Submission, Guillotine Choke (RD 3, 3:41)
Bout 7: Bea Mesquita def. Shannel Butler via Submission, Rear Naked Choke (RD 1, 3:24)
Preliminary Card
Bout 6: Matt Adams def. Saulo Cavalari via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 5: Adam Livingston def. Jake Hixenbaugh via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 1:50)
Bout 4: Kevin Carrier def. Carlo Ricci via Submission, Arm Triangle Choke
Bout 3: Freddy Vidal def. Mike Kennedy via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 2: Derrick Patterson def. Vincenzo Iannuzzo via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 1: Brian Torres def. Melvin Jovel (Amateur)
Knockdown News 