LEGACY Fighting Alliance (LFA) capped off phase one of its return with a fourth title fight in as many weeks, seeing Bryce Logan take home the lightweight strap on the end of a six-fight card. Held once again out of the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the leading UFC feeder promotion gave fans a spectacle as four fights lasted all the allotted rounds.

The event proved somewhat of a curtain jerker for tomorrow’s UFC Fight Night at the Apex Centre, where 40 per cent of the fighters in action are LFA veterans. The promotion also announced phase two of its return schedule, with events to be held on August 21, August 28, and September 4.

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MAIN EVENT

Bryce Logan def. Jacob Rosales | Decision (unanimous) 48-47, 48-47, 48-47

Local hero Bryce Logan is the new LFA lightweight champion after perfectly executing his gameplan to defeat Jacob Rosales via unanimous decision. The 30-year-old now moves to 12-4 as a professional and is riding a three-fight win streak.

Well aware of Rosales’ power and length, the man with two first names flowed with terrific footwork to steer clear of his opponent’s main threats, while keeping him guessing with constant feints and a popping jab.

The frustration began to show for Rosales as he was constantly made to miss, and it seemed he was up against it after being dropped by a stiff left hand in Round 2. That exact shot may have been the one to bloody the 25-year-old’s nose, leaving the LFA cage a crimson mess.

While Rosales was able to up the volume and snatch a couple of rounds on the scorecards, he was unable to land the winning blow as he opened up, and was smothered well in the closing stages as Logan capped off an intelligently executed five rounds.

The result sees Rosales, a Contender Series alum, slip to 12-6 and 1-2 in his last three outings, but he would have lost few admirers for the durability and heart he displayed.

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CO-MAIN EVENT

Nick Browne def. Ben Egli | Decision (unanimous) 29-28, 29-28, 30-27

Nick Browne survived a series of Round 3 submission attempts from late notice replacement, Ben Egli to earn his own unanimous decision nod in the co-main event. It was a battle between two renowned grapplers, though it seemed the most straightforward path to victory for Browne would be paved on the feet.

Seemingly undeterred by Egli’s prowess on the mat, Browne was the one to initiate the grappling exchanges and earned points for his work in top position – staying heavy and landing nice ground-and-pound. Egli would do his best to scramble and reverse position, but Browne proved no pushover as he moved into mount.

Browne’s willingness to battle on the mat despite a clear striking advantage almost cost him late in the fight, as Egli looked to snatch up a couple of Hail Mary armbar submissions in Round 3. Having survived, Browne improves to 10-1 and may be next in line for a shot at the lightweight title.

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FEATURED BOUT

Joaquin Buckley def. Jackie Gosh | TKO (punches) 1:47 Rd 2

In the second of two TKO stoppages for the night, Joaquin Buckley exacted revenge for his 2016 loss to Jackie Gosh by putting him away in Round 2. Since their previous meeting, Buckley has gone 4-1 (10-2 overall), while Gosh has slid to 1-3 (8-3) after a 7-0 start to his professional career.

Buckley looked ominous from the outset, stalking his Israeli adversary with bad intentions and teeing off with vicious combinations. It didn’t take long into Round 2 for the damage to take toll, with a power left hand dropping Gosh momentarily, before two big hooks had him covering up and the referee rushing in.

With such power on the feet at middleweight, the 26-year-old Buckley looks a prospect on the rise.

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RESULTS

Kai Kamaka III def. Michael Stack | Decision (unanimous) 29-28, 29-28, 29-28

Gerald Scott def. Keith Phathaem | TKO (punches) Rd 2

Zac Pauga def. Zac Cavender | Decision (unanimous) 30-27, 30-27, 29-28