| FRIDAY, MARCH 27th, 2026
LFA 229: Martins vs. Gonçalves
Presented by MONSTER ENERGY
MAIN EVENT
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT
RICHARD MARTINS (10-1)
vs.
VANDERLEI GONÇALVES (9-2)
CENTRO ESPORTIVO PELEZÃO
SÃO PAULO, SP, BRAZIL
LIVE on VICE TV at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (March 6, 2026) — LFA CEO Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will make its debut in Brazil’s largest city and financial capital, São Paulo, with LFA 229 taking place on Friday, March 27th, 2026, at the historic Centro Esportivo Pelezão. Located in the heart of South America’s largest metropolitan region, São Paulo is a global hub for culture, business, and sports, and one of the most important cities in the history of Brazilian mixed martial arts. The LFA will now bring its brand of elite MMA to the city for the first time.
LFA 229: Martins vs. Gonçalves, presented by MONSTER ENERGY, will feature a welterweight main event between LFA star and The Ultimate Fighter Season 31 veteran Richard Martins (10-1) and dangerous Muay Thai specialist Vanderlei “Soul Glo” Gonçalves (9-2). The event will be broadcast live in the United States on VICE TV at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
“We are very excited to return to São Paulo for LFA 229.” stated Soares. “This city has played a huge role in the development of Brazilian MMA and combat sports. The main event between Richard Martins and Vanderlei Gonçalves is the type of high-level matchup our fans expect, and it’s the perfect way to introduce the LFA to the São Paulo crowd.”
Richard Martins enters the bout as one of the most recognizable Brazilian prospects competing under the LFA banner. The TUF 31 veteran has compiled an impressive 10-1 professional record, showcasing a well-rounded skill set and composure against top competition. Martins has become a rising name in the welterweight division and now looks to secure another major victory in front of a passionate home-country audience.
Standing across from him will be Vanderlei “Soul Glo” Gonçalves, a dangerous striker known for his extensive Muay Thai background and knockout power, after successfully transitioning from Muay Thai to MMA. A regional MMA champion in Brazil, Gonçalves has earned notable victories in the striking world, including a knockout win over UFC standout and former LFA veteran Carlos Prates. With a professional MMA record of 9-2, he now looks to translate his elite striking pedigree into the biggest win of his mixed martial arts career.
With elite Brazilian prospects, international talent, and a welterweight main event featuring two dangerous finishers, LFA 229 promises an action-packed night of mixed martial arts in São Paulo.
Main Card:
(Exclusively on VICE TV & LFA FIGHT NETWORK™ at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT)
Main Event | Welterweight Bout (170 lb)
Richard Martins (10-1) vs. Vanderlei Gonçalves (9-2)
Co-Main Event | Flyweight Bout (125 lb)
Felipe dos Santos (9-3) vs. Jenilto Matos (14-8)
Feature Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)
Vinicius Pires (11-2) vs. Tawan Ribeiro (9-2)
Lightweight Bout (155 lb)
Juliano Prescendo (11-3) vs. Khumoyun Tukhtamuradov (14-5)
Welterweight Bout (170 lb)
Diego Bianchini (9-2) vs. Gilberto Sousa (11-5)
Featherweight Bout (145 lb)
Renan Freitas (9-3) vs. Leandro Solano (7-1)
Women’s Flyweight Bout (125 lb)
Bianca Basilio (1-0) vs. Rafaela Guedes (2-0)
Preliminary Card:
(Select Bouts Exclusively on Spectation Sports in US & Canada)
Heavyweight Bout (265 lb)
Guilherme Uriel (6-2) vs. Wagner Silva (4-0)
Lightweight Bout (155 lb)
Richard Silva (6-1) vs. Italo Cruz (6-2)
Women’s Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)
Milena Galvao (4-0) vs. Djulia Ariana (4-2)
Light Heavyweight Bout (205 lb)
Alan Ribeiro (3-2) vs. Douglas Andrew (3-0)
Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)
Leslie Jesus (3-0) vs. Maycon Douglas (4-0)
Flyweight Bout (125 lb)
Joao Victor Melo (5-3) vs. Claudio Meirelles (4-0)
Bantamweight Bout (135 lb)
Thalyta Silva (2-0) vs. Maria Clara Andrade (4-0)
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