Last week it was announced that Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) and Legacy Fighting Championships (LFC), the two most prominent organizations featured on AXS TV, will be merging in 2017 to form Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA). This news is great for the future of the developmental level of MMA in the United States, but it does mean that RFA is nearing the end of its run as an MMA promotion. With that said, RFA 44 could feature the last defense of the RFA lightweight title, as Thiago Moises looks to retain his belt against Zach Freeman in Friday’s main event. The 21-year-old Moises has only suffered one career defeat, to current UFC fighter Jason Knight in his North American debut. Since then the Brazilian has reeled off three consecutive victories, capturing and defending the RFA belt in the process. MMAOddsBreaker’s James Lynch spoke with Moises prior to his latest title defense:
The challenger for the title will be hometown fighter Zach Freeman. After starting his career 7-0, Freeman lost to now-UFC veteran Jake Lindsay at Titan FC 25. Following the defeat he would take nearly two years off before returning with a first round submission in March 2015. That was his last fight, so it will be interesting if Freeman suffers from some ring rust or if the support of the local fans can give him the boost he needs. James Lynch also had time to sit down with Freeman prior to this bout:
RFA 44 will also see a flyweight co-main event between Nick Urso and Kenny Porter. Porter brings a five-fight win streak into this bout, although he hasn’t competed in over a year. Urso has previously fought the UFC’s Ray Borg, and most recently has a win over Bellator veteran Josh Montoya under his belt. With RFA flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja currently competing on TUF 24, this bout could determine a future contender for him when he returns to the RFA, or one of the challengers for a potentially vacant flyweight title. The main card of RFA 44 is rounded out with a lightweight clash between Hugh Pulley — who is fresh off a win over previously unbeaten Grant Dawson — and undefeated Drakkar Klose, another 155lb contest pitting Adam Osmoe against Zach Fears, previous RFA bantamweight title challenger Joey Miolla taking on TJ Brown, and women’s strawweights Emily Whitmire and Kelly D’Angelo. MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened the betting odds for the top fights on RFA 44 today at Several Bookmakers. Check them out below: ——————– RFA 44: Moisés vs. Freeman | 2016.09.30 | St. Charles, Missouri MAIN EVENT | RFA LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP | 155 LBS Zach Freeman +200 Thiago Moisés -280 CO-MAIN EVENT | FLYWEIGHT | 125 LBS Kenny Porter +150 Nick Urso -190 ——————– Brad’s Analysis: Although Zach Freeman hasn’t competed in MMA in 18 months, he hasn’t entirely been inactive. Just over a month ago he won the purple belt masters 1 division (30-35 years old) at the IBJJF worlds. While that’s an impressive accomplishment, I think Thiago Moises still has an advantage if this turns into a straight grappling match. Freeman should have a significant size advantage, and using that alongside his wrestling background is probably his best route to victory, but even staying in top position against Moises isn’t the safest place to be. On the feet, Moises has made significant improvements which give him more avenues to win this fight, has a much brighter future, and I think a win here gets him a call from the UFC, where he’ll likely return to featherweight. Kenny Porter has shown some solid submission skills in the fights that I’ve seen, but he also tends to get clipped quite a bit, and hasn’t faced much in the way of quality opposition. Nick Urso has been in the cage with better fighters, comes from a better training camp (he is one of John Dodson’s main sparring partners), and has a well-rounded game. I think he can land consistently on the feet, and avoid scrambles where Porter’s submissions are most dangerous. Near a pick em price I like him for a play. MMAOddsBreaker’s James Lynch was also busy with the roster of RFA 44 this week. In addition to interviews with the two main eventers, he also spoke with Nick Urso, Drakkar Klose, Adam Osmoe, and Emily Whitmire. Find those interviews below: