LFA 96: Mendonca vs. Dagvadorj vs. Estrazulas takes place on Friday, December 4 at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kansas. The offshore sportsbooks recently opened up the betting odds for the event, and MMAOB staff writer Adam Martin takes a look at the opening odds below.
LFA 96 Odds
Batsumberel Dagvadorj -125
Maycon Mendonca -110
Anthony Romero -714
Zach Juusola +400
Mo Miller -200
Regivaldo Carvalho +160
Lisa Mauldin -130
Mitzi Merry +100
Matthew Colquhoun -150
Mark Martin +120
Here are my initial thoughts on the Opening Odds For LFA 96:
- The main event sees the vacant LFA welterweight title on the line as Batsumberel Dagvadorj (7-0, 1 NC) takes on Maycon Mendonca (10-4). Dagvadorj is a 33-year-old undefeated fighter from Mongolia. A pro since 2014, he trains in California and has fought for several regional shows like Dragon House. His last fight came in Bellator where he submitted Strikeforce veteran James Terry with a bulldog choke. That fight was last September, so he’s had a considerable layoff heading into this one. Out of his seven career wins, six have come by stoppage. His opponent Mendonca is a 28-year-old Brazil native who is an LFA veteran, having accumulated a 4-3 record in the promotion. Mendonca actually lost his first three fights in LFA before racking up his current four-fight win streak, with his most recent fight coming in September. While I credit Mendonca for turning his career around, I like Dagvadorj in this fight. Beating a guy like Terry in Bellator is big for me. I think he can finish Mendonca to win the belt.
- Next up we have Anthony Romero (8-0) taking on Zach Juusola (11-6) at 160lbs. Romero is a 23-year-old Canadian prospect who is undefeated since going pro in 2017. He won his last fight on Dana White’s Contender Series but was not able to get the finish, causing White to question his desire to finish fights. The UFC passed on giving Romero a deal, but a win here at LFA would help him get there. Romero takes on Juusola, a 33-year-old veteran who turned pro back in 2010. Juusola is coming off of three straight losses in MMA heading into this fight, but he did pick up a knockout win in Bare Knucking Fighting Championship last October. Still, this looks like a squash match. Romero is the favorite for a reason and he should win.
- At 135lbs we Mo Miller (4-0) against Regivaldo Carvalho (5-2). The 28-year-old Miller is an Ohio native who has won all four fights since turning pro in 2019, including his last three by stoppage with a win in LFA his last time out. He takes on Carvalho, who is a 26-year-old Brazilian. He is actually coming off of two knockout wins in Bellator, but he hasn’t fought since February 2018. Although Carvalho has a bit more experience, I can’t back him coming off the long layoff. I like Miller to get his hand raised in this one.
- At 170lbs we have Matt Martin (4-1) against Matthew Colquhoun (8-4). Martin is a 27-year-old American who is an MMA Lab product. He’s won his last three fights with a knockout win in LFA back in July. As for Colquhoun, the 27-year-old Jamaica native fights out of California and he has fought some tough competition since turning pro in 2014. Looking at his record, he has losses to guys like Miguel Baeza, Ray Cooper III, and Spike Carlyle. To his credit, he has five wins by knockout and he won his last fight. I definitely think that Colquhoun is a live dog here.
- Finally, at 128lbs we have Lisa Mauldin (3-2) taking on Mitzi Merry (2-1). Mauldin is a 30-year-old American who is 1-1 in LFA. Merry is a 33-year-old Oklahoma native who is an Invicta FC veteran. Once again it’s a close fight and I would lean with the dog here in Merry.
