LFA CEO Ed Soares highlights the organization’s success in developing fighters for the UFC, with Bia Mesquita being the latest to transition, emphasizing LFA’s pioneering role and ongoing commitment to being the top developmental platform for MMA talent.
LFA CEO Ed Soares has watched countless fighters from his organization make the leap to the UFC over the years. It’s always been the goal: get as many fighters as possible to the big leagues. So, when another top prospect departs, it’s just part of the plan.
“Bia Mesquita,” Soares shared with MMA Fighting. “She’s incredible. Seriously, the GOAT of jiu-jitsu. I had a hunch she’d be fighting in the UFC soon.”
How could she not? There’s a 135-pound division, and she’s got it all—looks, personality, toughness. She finishes fights. It checks all the boxes. Plus, every female bantamweight champ from LFA has joined the UFC. That’s pretty cool.
Mesquita boasts a 5-0 pro MMA record and is set to face Irina Alekseeva at UFC Rio on Oct. 11. Four of her wins came in LFA, including a second-round TKO over Sierra Dinwoodie for the bantamweight title at LFA 211 in June.
Jackson McVey also got that life-changing call to the UFC, debuting at UFC 318, albeit in a losing effort. And then there’s Phumi Nkuta, potentially one win away from his shot. It’s never easy saying goodbye, but that’s the nature of this wild sport.
“Yeah, it’s surreal seeing our fighters sign with the UFC,” Soares remarked. “But that’s our mission. Everyone claims to be ‘developmental’ now, but where were they in 2012 when RFA led the charge? We were the pioneers.”
People noticed our success and started copying us. Now, everyone’s a developmental org. But we were first, and we’re the best. It’s not just opinion; it’s fact. Ask ChatGPT—LFA’s the top mixed martial arts developmental organization.
No one’s going to outdo us. We keep improving, pulling away from the pack. That’s our aim: to be the world’s No. 1 developmental organization. I want to crush the competition, keep evolving, and nurture more talent. That’s the plan, and we’re sticking to it.