LFA 203 takes place on March 6th in Las Vegas, NV, featuring a lineup of rising contenders and established prospects looking to take the next step in their careers. The event will be headlined by a light heavyweight title fight between Uran Satybaldiev and Leon Soares, with several other key matchups across multiple divisions.
Main Card Predictions
Main Event: Uran Satybaldiev vs. Leon Soares (Light Heavyweight Title Fight)
Satybaldiev earned his title shot with a comeback win over Bruno Assis at LFA 178. His power and ability to push the pace make him a dangerous opponent. Soares will need to stay composed and avoid early exchanges, but Satybaldiev has the finishing ability to close the show quickly and that will be the case here. Look for Satybaldiev to get a highlight reel finish to become the new LFA light heavyweight champion.
Prediction: Satybaldiev via KO (Round 1)
Co-Main Event: Allan Begosso vs. Micaias Urena (Bantamweight)
Following an extended layoff from MMA competition, Begosso returns to the cage for the first time since August of 2023 where he beat Cristian Giovannie at LFA 165. Meanwhile his opponent Micaias Urena will be looking to get back into the win column following a defeat vs. Kasey Tanner at LFA 196 this past November. The Pink Ranger’s pressure and overall consistency should give him the edge in what I predict will be a close fight.
Prediction: Urena via Decision
Beatriz Mesquita vs. Hope Chase (Women’s Bantamweight)
American Top Team’s Beatriz Mesquita’s MMA career is off to a hot start as she has managed to secure submission wins by rear naked choke inside the distance. Mesquita is a world class grappler and Hope Chase’s submission defense will certainly be put to the test in this matchup.
Prediction: Mesquita via Submission (Round 2)
Josh Hokit vs. Ezekiel Latu (Heavyweight)
The former NFL player Josh Hokit’s transition to MMA has proved to be impressive thus far in his young career. Sporting a perfect 3-0 record all by way of finish, none of his opponents have managed to deal with his athleticism, pressure, and grappling technique. Hokit is certainly learning on the job and likely has a way to go before he can compete at that next level of competition but Ezekiel Latu is on par with Hokit’s prior level of competition and I don’t envision Hokit having any real difficulties getting this fight down to the canvass and getting an early finish.
Prediction: Hokit via KO (Round 1)
Sharaf Davlatmurodov vs. Renato Valente (Middleweight)
Davlatmurodov has bounced around various promotions throughout Eurasia with fights in ACA and ACB. He also had a brief stint in Bellator where he went 1-1. Overall, Davalatmurodov is a solid fighter; he has notable victories over the likes of Brett Cooper, Joilton Lutterbach. He can be a fast starter and has the power to end the fight early. Valente may have a humble 10-7 record, but he is a fighter that should be taken seriously. He is powerful and dangerous off the feet and regularly fights against the best middleweight prospects in regional MMA. That being said, there is an obvious skill gap here and Valente will need to survive the initial storm that is sure to be headed his way shortly after the opening bell. Valente is a gamer for sure but surviving Davlatmurodov’s onslaught is a tough task here.
Prediction: Davlatmurodov via KO (Round 1)
An Tuan Ho vs. Micah Haas (Flyweight)
Ho is looking to rebound having been on the receiving end of a vicious KO at the hands of Lone’er Kavanagh on Dana White’s Contender Series this past summer. Following a break in action he’ll take on Micah Haas who is a solid opponent. Keep an eye on the scales for this one as Haas did have a significant weight miss in his most recent bout where he came in well over the flyweight limit at 131 LBs. I’d expect Haas will be looking to attack Ho with a grappling heavy game plan but Ho should be more than prepared to deal with that. Ho’s experience and striking ability should allow him to get back on track and I see him getting a decision win here.
Prediction: Ho via Decision
Stav Koren vs. Chase Whitmer (Bantamweight)
An under the radar fight between Koren and Whitmer that I’m keen on seeing. Koren has managed to keep his pro record unblemished going 6-0. This will be his third bout in the LFA, this time he’ll take on Chase Whitmer. Whitmer is a bit of an enigma. He doesn’t have a high profile and isn’t a big presence on social media, he’s a guy that even the most hardcore fans might have a tough time recognizing. That being said, Whitmer is still very good, so much so that for all intents and purposes his record should be 4-0, I thought he beat Eddie Bernal a couple years ago in A1 Combat 6. Whitmer is being overlooked in this spot here and I like his chances to cash in as an underdog in this fight.
Prediction: Whitmer via Decision
