On February 7, 2025, Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) delivered an action-packed night of fights at the Ginásio do Polvilho in Cajamar, São Paulo, Brazil. LFA 201 featured a championship main event, a highly competitive co-main, and a heated Brazil vs. Russia showdown.
Main Event: Lany Silva Becomes Strawweight Champion with Highlight Reel KO
The strawweight championship was on the line as Rose Conceição defended her belt against challenger Lany Silva in a strategic, back-and-forth contest. Conceição started strong, using her clinch work and grappling to disrupt Silva’s rhythm. After two rounds, the champion seemed in control, but Silva turned the tide in the third round with a key takedown from the clinch, shifting the momentum in her favor.
Silva carried that momentum into the fourth round, landing effective body kicks and beginning to pull ahead. Heading into the final frame, the fight appeared tied. However, at 2:54 of the fifth round, Silva erased all doubt, delivering a devastating head kick that knocked Conceição out cold and secured her the LFA Strawweight Championship.
Co-Main Event: Marcos Degli Captures Interim Flyweight Title
In the co-main event, flyweight standouts Marcos Degli and Lincon Santos put on a high-level, entertaining bout. Degli nearly finished the fight in the first round with a standing choke, but Santos displayed incredible resilience and managed to escape. Both fighters had success in the striking exchanges, but Degli landed the more significant shots, taking the first round on the scorecards.
The second round, however, was short-lived. Degli wasted no time in finding the kill shot, landing a crushing blow just 41 seconds in to knock out Santos and claim the interim flyweight title.
Jose Delano Stops Abu Muslim Alikhanov in First Round
The featherweight bout between Brazil’s Jose Delano and Russia’s Abu Muslim Alikhanov showcased a clear contrast in game plans. Alikhanov was determined to secure early takedowns, but his sloppy setups made him an easy target for Delano’s defensive wrestling.
Delano dictated the pace, outstriking Alikhanov with precision. As the round progressed, Delano landed a brutal body shot followed by a right hand that put Alikhanov out cold at 3:46 of the first round.
No-Contest Controversy: Paulo Henrique Laia vs. Vladimir Kanunnikov
Controversy struck in the lightweight bout between Paulo Henrique Laia and Vladimir Kanunnikov. As expected, Kanunnikov secured an early takedown and controlled Laia from the top, landing short elbows and body shots. However, things took a bizarre turn when Kanunnikov appeared to clasp his hands around Laia’s throat in an illegal choke.
Despite referee intervention, the damage was done—Laia lost consciousness, and the fight was waved off to a chorus of jeers from the crowd. Kanunnikov was fortunate to escape with a no-contest ruling, as the commission could have easily disqualified him.
Vladimir Daineko Dominates Andre Vieira in One-Sided Decision
Russia’s Vladimir Daineko put on a commanding performance against Brazil’s Andre Vieira in a heavyweight bout that was more about Vieira’s toughness than anything else. Daineko controlled the fight from the center of the cage, landing strikes at will while Vieira could do little more than circle along the fence and look for a desperation knockout shot.
The punishment intensified in the second round when Vieira suffered multiple cuts. LFA commentator Ron Kruck even suggested Vieira’s corner throw in the towel, but the Brazilian gutted it out, lasting the full 15 minutes. Daineko earned a dominant unanimous decision victory in a workmanlike performance.
Rafael Pereira “Big Brothers” Janderson Barreto
The opening bout between Rafael Pereira and Janderson Barreto was a wild brawl that would have made UFC featherweight Trevor Peek proud. The first round saw both men throw caution to the wind, but as the fight wore on, fatigue set in—especially for Barreto.
Despite having a reach and size advantage, Barreto struggled to land cleanly, as Pereira read his strikes with ease. By the final round, Pereira was in complete control, effectively “big brothering” Barreto en route to an easy unanimous decision victory.
Final Thoughts
LFA 201 delivered a mix of thrilling finishes, gritty battles, and controversial moments, proving once again why the promotion is a crucial proving ground for the next generation of MMA talent. With Lany Silva’s crowning moment, Marcos Degli’s rise, and a handful of standout performances, this event set the stage for some exciting future matchups in LFA.
