Fight fans should expect fireworks in the featherweight clash between Gracie jiu-jitsu black belt
Alberto “Relentless” Romo (4-0) and Brazilian prospect
Matheus Camilo (5-2). Romo, 30, has finished every opponent on the ground in the first round. All of his pro fights have been in the California regional scene. The 22-year-old Camilo seeks his third straight finish and is eyeing a spot on Dana White’s Contender Series. He showcased his heavy hands and high level grappling in Fury FC and looks to do the same in the LXF cage.
A pair of local athletes will make their pro debuts in separate main card bouts. Ex-Fullerton linebacker
Julian Duckenfield (0-0) takes on
Gary Evans (0-1) in a middleweight matchup. Duckenfield compiled a 5-0 amateur record with four finishes in two years. Evans is fighting for the first time since 2014. Former UCLA boxer
Carlos “Too Pretty” Morales (0-0) finally meets
Miguel Ceja(1-1) in a flyweight showdown. Morales went 7-4 in amateur MMA and was originally scheduled to debut at LXF 7 in 2021. Meanwhile Ceja lost and won via split decision last year.
Merriman founded LXF in 2019 with the intention of helping former athletes from other sports transition into MMA. Many amateur fighters from California are featured on Saturday’s prelims as LXF is also focused on developing MMA’s next great stars.
Check out the full lineup for LXF 9:
Tommy Aaron vs. Jose Matuz
Alberto Romo vs. Matheus Camilo
Julian Duckenfield vs. Gary Evans
Miguel Ceja vs. Carlos Morales
Bailey Pickett vs. Sunny Kumar Gharu
Noah Davis vs. Isaak Lau
Rod Malek vs. Juan Olvera
Tristen Wollrich vs. Richard Villines
Elias Salcedo vs. Pedro Rodriguez
Richard Salazar vs. Jay Librando
