Undefeated Ansar Khamzaev captured the vacant LFA lightweight championship at LFA 245 in Niagara Falls, New York, submitting Juliano Prescendo with a D'arce choke at 3:20 of Round 1. Elsewhere on the card, Tom Picciano beat Santos Verdinez by unanimous decision in the co-main event, Alberth Bahamondes knocked out Joey Hart in Round 1, and Wildemar Santos and Shealor Ladd both won by rear-naked choke.
Ansar Khamzaev remained unbeaten and claimed the vacant LFA lightweight championship at LFA 245 in Niagara Falls, New York, finishing Juliano Prescendo with a D'arce choke at 3:20 of the first round.
The title fight ended quickly. Khamzaev secured the choke early and forced the stoppage, adding the LFA belt to his undefeated record.
The card also delivered a string of finishes and one decision. Tom Picciano took a unanimous decision over Santos Verdinez in the co-main event. Alberth Bahamondes knocked out Joey Hart in Round 1, while Wildemar Santos and Shealor Ladd each won by rear-naked choke.
Hart's setback
Hart, a 29-year-old from the United States who trains out of Start BJJ, came in at 6-2. The loss to Bahamondes is his third defeat and, by the finish, a short night's work for his opponent. An orthodox fighter at six-foot-three with a 79-inch reach, Hart has leaned on his striking, landing 4.53 significant strikes per minute at 34 percent accuracy.
His grappling numbers are notably light. Hart averages no takedowns and no submission attempts per 15 minutes, which marks him as a pure striker. That profile made a first-round knockout a risk in either direction, and this time it went against him.
Why it matters
- Khamzaev leaves Niagara Falls as champion and still unbeaten, a position that typically draws attention from larger promotions.
- Bahamondes earned a first-round knockout over a six-fight winner, a result that strengthens his standing on the LFA roster.
- Two rear-naked choke finishes and a D'arce on one card underline how much of the night was decided on the ground.
LFA 245 ended with a new lightweight champion and several fighters adding finishes to their résumés, while Hart, a striker with a 6-2 record, will look to rebound from the knockout.
