Luan Lacerda
Brazil
Facing Nakamura in Vegas
Lacerda will take on Rinya Nakamura at a UFC event in Las Vegas on March 14, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Lacerda will head into the fight coming off a recent victory over Saimon Oliveira in October. The 33-year-old Brazilian will carry an advantage in reach compared to the younger Japanese fighter, though they measure up identically in height. The Brazilian submission specialist will undoubtedly be looking to use the ground game here, though Nakamura's background in wrestling could force Lacerda to deploy different strategies throughout the bout.
Lacerda will head into the fight coming off a recent victory over Saimon Oliveira in October. The 33-year-old Brazilian will carry an advantage in reach compared to the younger Japanese fighter, though they measure up identically in height. The Brazilian submission specialist will undoubtedly be looking to use the ground game here, though Nakamura's background in wrestling could force Lacerda to deploy different strategies throughout the bout.
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Finally earns first UFC win
Lacerda defeated Saimon Oliveira via submission (armbar) at 3:55 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
ANALYSIS
In a battle between two fighters both looking for their first UFC victories, this worked out exceptionally well for Lacerda. He netted a portion of Oliveira's purse after the latter missed weight by an unfathomable eight pounds Friday morning. He then went out and put forth a solid effort, landing three takedowns and 6:06 worth of control time before earning the submission win late in Round 2. It goes without saying that a victory over Oliveira doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things, but it does seemingly ensure that Lacerda will get another fight with the company.
In a battle between two fighters both looking for their first UFC victories, this worked out exceptionally well for Lacerda. He netted a portion of Oliveira's purse after the latter missed weight by an unfathomable eight pounds Friday morning. He then went out and put forth a solid effort, landing three takedowns and 6:06 worth of control time before earning the submission win late in Round 2. It goes without saying that a victory over Oliveira doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things, but it does seemingly ensure that Lacerda will get another fight with the company.
Fight still on at catchweight
Lacerda will fight Saimon Oliveira in a catchweight fight at UFC Rio on Saturday after missing weight, UFC.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Oliveira missed the UFC's bantamweight limit by weighing 144 pounds, an incredible weight miss that makes Lacerda's agreement to the bout quite shocking. However, the promotion's website says that their contest is still on, and Lacerda is still eligible to get his first win at UFC Rio.
Oliveira missed the UFC's bantamweight limit by weighing 144 pounds, an incredible weight miss that makes Lacerda's agreement to the bout quite shocking. However, the promotion's website says that their contest is still on, and Lacerda is still eligible to get his first win at UFC Rio.
Booked vs. Oliveira
Lacerda will take on Saimon Oliveira in a bantamweight bout at UFC Rio on Oct. 11, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Lacerda sits at 0-2 in the UFC, dropping fights against Cody Stamann and most recently, Da'Mon Blackshear all the way back in June of 2023. After a two-plus year hiatus, Lacerda will step back into the Octagon and do battle with Oliveira, who, until March, also hadn't fought since 2023. Oliveira, likewise, is also struggling in the UFC with a 0-3 record. Both fighters need this win desperately.
Lacerda sits at 0-2 in the UFC, dropping fights against Cody Stamann and most recently, Da'Mon Blackshear all the way back in June of 2023. After a two-plus year hiatus, Lacerda will step back into the Octagon and do battle with Oliveira, who, until March, also hadn't fought since 2023. Oliveira, likewise, is also struggling in the UFC with a 0-3 record. Both fighters need this win desperately.
Still searching for first UFC win
Lacerda lost to Da'Mon Blackshear via TKO (punches) at 3:54 of Round 2 at UFC on ESPN 46 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Lacerda showed well in a unanimous decision loss to Cody Stamann in his UFC debut this past January. He was considerably less effective against Blackshear. Lacerda's game plan appeared to be to try to roll around with his opponent on the mat in hopes of a submission attempt materializing. It never happened, and Lacerda eventually found himself pinned to the mat eating countless unanswered strikes from Blackshear until referee Chris Tognoni stepped in. The Brazilian will likely need a victory his next time out in order to extend his time with the company.
Lacerda showed well in a unanimous decision loss to Cody Stamann in his UFC debut this past January. He was considerably less effective against Blackshear. Lacerda's game plan appeared to be to try to roll around with his opponent on the mat in hopes of a submission attempt materializing. It never happened, and Lacerda eventually found himself pinned to the mat eating countless unanswered strikes from Blackshear until referee Chris Tognoni stepped in. The Brazilian will likely need a victory his next time out in order to extend his time with the company.
Blackshear fight scheduled
Lacerda will fight Da'Mon Blackshear in a bantamweight bout at UFC Fight Night 225 on June 3, according to Nolan King of USA Today.
ANALYSIS
This will be a fight between two bantamweights trying to log a UFC win. Lacerda lost to Cody Stamann, via unanimous decision, in his debut fight for the company. As for Blackshear, he is 0-1-1 as a UFC fighter.
This will be a fight between two bantamweights trying to log a UFC win. Lacerda lost to Cody Stamann, via unanimous decision, in his debut fight for the company. As for Blackshear, he is 0-1-1 as a UFC fighter.