LFA 229 Results: Richard Martins Stops Vanderlei Gonçalves in São PauloLFA 229 Results: Richard Martins Scores Late TKO Over Vanderlei Gonçalves in São Paulo

SÃO PAULO, Brazil — The Legacy Fighting Alliance made a historic debut in São Paulo on Friday, March 27, as LFA 229 took over the Centro Esportivo Pelezão in front of a sold-out crowd. Presented by Monster Energy, the event delivered a night of finishes and standout performances capped by a dramatic welterweight main event.

Main Event: Richard Martins Rallies for Late Finish

The headline bout featured Richard Martins, a veteran of The Ultimate Fighter Season 31, taking on dangerous Muay Thai striker Vanderlei Gonçalves, also known as “Soul Glo.”

Gonçalves displayed his elite Muay Thai arsenal throughout much of the fight, landing sharp kicks, knees, and punches while controlling the pace against Martins. However, the momentum shifted dramatically late in the third round.

With just 1:05 remaining, Martins landed a crushing body shot that stunned Gonçalves and sent him to the canvas. Sensing the finish, Martins swarmed with follow-up strikes to secure the TKO victory at 4:04 of Round 3.

The comeback win pushed Martins’ record to 11-1, while Gonçalves dropped to 9-3.

Co-Main Event: Felipe dos Santos Submits Jenilto Matos

In the co-main event, rising flyweight Felipe dos Santos delivered one of the most impressive finishes of the night.

Dos Santos locked in a perfectly executed triangle choke against Jenilto Matos, forcing the tap just 1:43 into the opening round. The victory improved his professional record to 10-3 and further cemented his status as a contender to watch in the LFA flyweight division.

LFA 229 Highlights

The stacked card featured multiple stoppages and dominant performances across several weight classes:

• Vinicius Pires shut out Tawan Ribeiro via unanimous decision in a bantamweight feature bout.
• Diego Bianchini secured a lightning-fast heel hook submission over Yuri Neles.
• Renan Freitas finished Leandro Solano with punches from back mount in the first round.
• Bianca Basilio dominated Rafaela Guedes in their women’s flyweight matchup.

What’s Next for LFA

Following the successful debut in Brazil, the promotion quickly returns to action with LFA 230 at the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort in Shawnee.

The event will feature a key bantamweight clash between Micaias Ureña, known as “The Pink Ranger,” and American contender Xavier Franklin.

Fans in the United States can watch the event live on VICE TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, with tickets currently available through the Grand Casino box office.

Main Card

Welterweight Main Event (170 lb)

• Richard Martins def. Vanderlei Gonçalves – KO/TKO, Round 3 (4:04)

Flyweight Co-Main Event (125 lb)

• Felipe dos Santos def. Jenilto Matos – Submission (Triangle Choke), Round 1 (1:43)

Bantamweight Feature Bout (135 lb)

• Vinicius Pires def. Tawan Ribeiro – Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Catchweight (175 lb)

• Diego Bianchini def. Yuri Neles – Submission (Heel Hook), Round 1 (1:56)

Featherweight (145 lb)

• Renan Freitas def. Leandro Solano – KO/TKO (Punches from Back Mount), Round 1 (4:41)

Women’s Flyweight (125 lb)

• Bianca Basilio def. Rafaela Guedes – KO/TKO (Rear-Naked Choke), Round 1 (3:36)

Preliminary Card

Heavyweight

• Guilherme Uriel def. Leonardo Fraga – KO/TKO, Round 1 (1:30)

Lightweight (155 lb)

• Richard Silva def. Italo Cruz – Submission (Armlock), Round 3 (2:34)

Women’s Bantamweight (135 lb)

• Djulia Ariana def. Milena Galvao – Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Light Heavyweight (205 lb)

• Alan Ribeiro def. Douglas Andrew – KO/TKO, Round 1 (0:55)

Bantamweight (135 lb)

• Leslie Jesus def. Maycon Douglas – Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Flyweight (125 lb)

• Claudio Meirelles def. Joao Victor Melo – Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Women’s Bantamweight (135 lb)

• Thalyta Silva def. Maria Clara Andrade – Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)