Texas-based Legacy Fighting Championships continues their 12-event schedule in 2014 with their 28th event, which takes place in San Antonio on Friday, February 21st. The card will be headlined by a middleweight title bout, as the organization looks to advance more fighters to the UFC. That middleweight title bout pits current champion Bubba Bush (6-2) against Rakim Cleveland (8-3). Cleveland is making his second appearance in Legacy FC, but his previous outing was at heavyweight against Derrick Lewis, so he’s obviously undergone some significant changes physically to now be at 185. The co-main event should provide the next challenger to Leonard Garcia’s featherweight belt, as Hunter Tucker (6-1) takes on Damon Jackson (7-0) in a very intriguing bout. Tucker’s lone loss came to Kevin Aguilar, the man Garcia defeated to become the champion, while Jackson has looked impressive on the regional scene and in a couple appearances for Bellator. At 155lbs, kickboxing standout Cosmo Alexandre (5-1) makes his Legacy debut after a solid, but unspectacular, run with Bellator. He gets an opponent right in his wheelhouse, as slugger Rey Trujillo (14-12) has stepped up on short notice to welcome the striker to Texas. The depth of the card doesn’t end there, as former top 10 bantamweight Damacio Page (16-9) takes on prospect Matthew Lozano (4-1) in a 130lb catchweight, as Page tries to transition to the flyweight division. This is truly striker vs. grappler as Page will look to add to his nine TKOs while Lozano attempts to notch his fourth submission. Rounding out the card are a pair of bouts with some young guns. At bantamweight, Eli Tamez (6-0) aims to extend his early winning streak as he moves up to the Legacy main card for the first time, while Nelson Salas (4-2) tries to keep his spot there after two consecutive losses. Finally, a middleweight bout featuring Evan Thompson (3-0), brother of UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson, takes on a man who should be willing to engage him on the feet in Allen Nelson (2-1). Today, MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened the lines for Legacy FC 28 at Several Bookmakers. Take a look: ——————– MAIN CARD (AXS TV, 10pm ET) Bubba Bush -315 Rakim Cleveland +235 Damon Jackson -165 Hunter Tucker +125 Cosmo Alexandre -305 Rey Trujillo +225 Damacio Page -280 Matthew Lozano +200 Eli Tamez -190 Nelson Salas +150 Evan Thompson -400 Allen Nelson +280 ——————– Brad’s Analysis: As it tends to happen with regional MMA, I think a lot of these lines are higher than they should be. Bubba Bush is a deserving favorite, but I get the impression many people people feel that Rakim Cleveland is the exact same guy who fought at heavyweight a few years ago and was clearly way heavier than he should be. Cleveland actually has an advantage on the feet here, but his wrestling and defensive grappling remains his biggest liability. He also has a habit of jumping guard for guillotines that aren’t there, and that could get him in trouble here. Bush is the pick, but I’m not keen on betting him with the line this high. I actually give an advantage to Hunter Tucker against Damon Jackson in the co-main event. Tucker’s only loss came to a very good opponent, while Jackson hasn’t faced much in terms of competition thus far. Both guys are dangerous, and Jackson has a length advantage that he’s put to good use thus far in his career, but I’m going to be picking Tucker outright here, so at +125 I like a bet as well. I’m keeping it small because it’s not the most confident play, but hopefully it will start the weekend off right. The other fights aren’t too interesting from a betting perspective as they’re all priced appropriately. Alexandre should be worlds better than Trujillo on the feet, and as long as he avoids a knockout punch will pick up a win. Page should keep his fight on the feet to avoid the submission threat Lozano presents, but do you really want to trust Damacio Page with your money at this point in his career? Eli Tamez actually has a win over Nelson Salas when the two were amateurs, so you’d have to think he has the edge heading into this fight, and he’s certainly got the momentum, as Salas has dropped two straight. Still, Salas has faced better competition and that first fight was four years ago, so it’s hard to have that much confidence here. Finally, Evan Thompson is a 29-year-old with solid striking who is taking on a 38-year-old brawler. Legacy wants him to win, and he should win and win impressively.
