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There will be two new champions crowned this weekend at Legacy Fighting Championships 21 as both the vacant middleweight and featherweight belts will get holders. There is also a six fight preliminary card that will take place prior to the AXS TV broadcast, which unfortunately is not going to be seen by anybody else other than the fans in attendance. Either way, there are twelve fighters on the card who will be looking to advance their MMA careers to the next level.
Kicking off the action is a lightweight division fight as Eric Garcia (2-0-0) competes against Mark “Kan’t Get Right†Garcia (1-6-0). Eric is returning to the cage after a two year layoff, but he has yet to lose as either an amateur or professional fighter. Mark will enter the fight riding a four fight losing streak, but has spent his entire career in the Legacy Fighting Championships. Barring a pretty big upset from taking place, it will be Eric Garcia remaining undefeated when this one is said and done.
A pair of welterweights will battle next as Kenny Burke (0-1-0) stands across the cage from Chris Lopez (1-0-0). Burke returns to the cage after a three year layoff, with his lone pro fight being a loss to Lee Higgins at a Worldwide Gladiators event. Lopez made his professional MMA debut at Legacy FC 17, defeating Melvin Jordan by unanimous decision. The long layoff should effect Burke negatively in this one as Lopez defeats him to keep his undefeated streak alive.
Featherweights will enter the cage next as Scotty Juarez (1-1-0) looks for the win against Eric Valdez (1-0-0). Juarez will be looking to rebound from his first professional MMA defeat, which came to Ray Blodget at Legacy FC 12. Valdez made his professional MMA debut at Legacy FC 18, defeating Edgar Juarez by unanimous decision. This is truly a pick ‘em if there ever was one on the card, but it will be Valdez remain undefeated in this one.
We move to the flyweight division for the next fight as Ricky Turcios (0-0-0) takes on Colin Wright (0-1-0). Turcios will be making his professional MMA debut in this fight, but he did go undefeated as an amateur. Wright is currently winless as a professional MMA fight, but did go undefeated as an amateur competitor. Garcia’s final fight as an amateur saw him capture a flyweight title and he will continue that success to have a successful professional MMA debut.
Up next is a featherweight division contest as Victor Hernandez (5-16-0) steps up to fight Rocky Long (20-28-1). Hernandez will enter the fight riding a three fight losing streak, but has once competed against PRIDE veteran Charles Bennett. Long has only won one of his last seven fights, but he has previously competed against UFC veterans Johnny Bedford and Matt Grice. Why this fight is even a part of this card is beyond my comprehension, but it will be Long picking up the much needed victory.
Headlining this portion of the card is a lightweight division affair as Jace Pitre (2-1-0) faces Eric Schechinger (1-1-0). Pitre has only fought once in the last four years, defeating Hossan Walker at a March 2013 Big Dawg Promotions event. Schechinger will be looking to rebound from his first professional MMA defeat, which came to James Gonzales at an Immortal Kombat Fighting event. Despite coming off of a loss, Schechinger is the more active fighter and that will carry him to a victory on Friday Night.
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