Rafael Pereira Claims Bantamweight Championship with Dramatic Second-Round Stoppage
BELO HORIZONTE, Minas Gerais (September 11, 2026) — Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) once again proved why it remains the premier developmental proving ground in mixed martial arts, staging an action-packed 14-bout card at LFA 241, presented by Monster Energy. The event was defined by relentless pace and highlight-reel finishes, with 10 of the 14 contests ending inside the distance.
The preliminary slate set a blistering tone early, highlighted by Laryssa Leila’s lightning-fast 30-second knockout over Fernanda Atômica and a jaw-dropping flying-knee stoppage from bantamweight Adam Santos. Across the board, Brazil’s top emerging prospects showcased world-class skill, elite conditioning, and devastating finishing ability.
The evening culminated in two unforgettable clashes at the top of the card:
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Co-Main Event (Featherweight, 145 lb): In a razor-thin tactical war, Gustavo Pintos pushed through deep waters to earn a hard-fought split decision victory over Carlos Soares. The three-round clash saw dramatic swings of momentum, with Pintos taking the nod on two judges’ scorecards (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) to cement his standing in the featherweight division.
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Main Event (LFA Bantamweight Championship, 135 lb): Rafael Pereira captured the vacant LFA Bantamweight World Championship with an emphatic, walk-off finish over Vinicius Pires. After intense tactical exchanges throughout the first two rounds, Pereira found the definitive opening with just ten seconds left in Round 2, detonating a pinpoint right cross that stopped Pires at 4:50 and crowned him the new 135-pound king.
Official LFA 241 Results
Main Card
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Main Event | LFA Bantamweight Title: Rafael Pereira def. Vinicius Pires via KO/TKO (Right Cross) – Round 2, 4:50
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Co-Main Event | Featherweight: Gustavo Pintos def. Carlos Soares via Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
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Middleweight: Neemias Santana def. Marcos Silva via KO/TKO (Knees and Punches) – Round 2, 2:50
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Middleweight: Gustavo Rocha def. Felipe Rosa via KO/TKO (Doctor Stoppage) – Round 2, 5:00
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Strawweight: Raiane Vinuto def. Marina Monteiro via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
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Featherweight: Eduardo Dutra def. Julio Assunção via KO/TKO (Punches from Back Mount) – Round 2, 2:07
Preliminary Card
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Bantamweight: Thalyta Silva def. Monica Fontes via KO/TKO (Right Hook to Ground Strikes) – Round 1, 2:53
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Lightweight: Marcos Antônio Silva def. Victor Santos via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – Round 1, 4:40
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Welterweight: Salomão Albuquerque def. Emerson Richard via KO/TKO (Punches) – Round 2, 0:53
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Bantamweight: Fabio Perpetua def. Breno Yuri via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
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Welterweight: Lucas Silva Almeida def. Lucas Macedo Silva via KO/TKO (Punches) – Round 1, 1:12
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Bantamweight: Adam Santos def. Joao Vitor Pereira via KO/TKO (Flying Knee) – Round 1, 3:21
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Light Heavyweight: Nicollas Santos def. Jackson Soares via KO/TKO (Jab-Straight to Ground Strikes) – Round 3, 3:51
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Strawweight: Laryssa Leila def. Fernanda Atômica via KO/TKO (Jab-Hook to Ground Strikes) – Round 1, 0:30
LFA returns to the United States on Friday, September 18, 2026, for LFA 242: Lozej vs. Bittencourt, presented by Monster Energy, hosted at the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Minnesota. The marquee matchup features a pivotal flyweight showdown between former title challenger Devon Lozej and Brazilian Dana White’s Contender Series veteran Davi Bittencourt Costa. The main card will air LIVE in the United States on VICE TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT and across Latin America on ESPN Deportes and ESPN KnockOut.
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