MMA
Rising prospect Xavier Zeruth will make his LFA debut May 22 Xavier Zeruth signs a contract with LFA to debut in Pro MMA after almost twenty amateur fights
Published
6 months agoon
Photo source: CPAMMAA novel name is entering the professional scene – and fans should keep an eye on this fight.
Central PA Mixed Martial Arts & Management has officially announced that rising fighter Xavier Zeruth will make his professional mixed martial arts debut under the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) banner.
📅 Date: May 22
👊 Opposite: To be announced
A large event in the spotlight
LFA has become one of the most respected proving grounds in MMA, renowned for developing future stars who will compete at the highest levels in the sport.
Now Zeruth gets his chance.
After building an impressive amateur CV, he enters the professional ranks almost two dozen fights in many disciplines, including mixed martial arts, Muay Thai and kickboxing.
These types of experiences are scarce for a first-time fighter and can make an immediate difference in the cage.
Built to the next level
Zeruth’s journey has been defined by activity, versatility and constant development. His experience in both striking and grappling has shaped him into a well-rounded fighter, ready for the challenges ahead.
“I had the opportunity to gain experience in many disciplines and often compete at the amateur level,” Zeruth said.
“I’m excited to take the next step and showcase my skills in the LFA cage.”
His confidence reflects years of preparation – not only during fights, but also during consistent high-level training.
It’s a long road to this moment
For those closest to Zeruth, this debut is more than just another fight – it’s the culmination of years of development.
Head coach Ryan Gruhn has seen this journey from the very beginning.
“Xavier started training with us at CPAMMA as a newborn kid, and now he’s on the verge of something really electrifying as he makes his professional debut with LFA. We couldn’t have asked for a better organization to aid take Xavier to the next level in his fight.”
It’s worth watching on May 22
With deep amateur experience, multi-disciplinary experience and the support of a respected team, Zeruth enters his professional debut as a player with real momentum.
Although his opponent has not been announced yet, we can already expect what he can bring to the LFA cage.
For fans of emerging MMA talents, May 22 may mark the beginning of something special.
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Gable Steveson should cut ties with Jon Jones, says Colby Covington: "He's just a horrible person"
Published
8 hours agoon
September 21, 2026
Zuffa LLCColby Covington believes Gable Steveson has done himself no favors aligning with Jon Jones.
Jones took Steveson under his wing before the Olympic gold medalist was offered a UFC contract. Steveson even competed under Jones' Dirty Boxing Championship promotion. Jones cornered Steveson for his successful UFC debut against Elisha Ellison back in July. “Bones†was back in Steveson's corner for UFC 331 this past Saturday, but things did not go the way the team envisioned.
Steveson was knocked out cold by Sean Sharaf in 12 seconds and made his exit from the Octagon before Bruce Buffer could announce the official result. Speaking to the folks at Submission Radio, Covington insisted that Steveson should drop Jones and start over with a new camp (via MMAJunkie).
“Jon Jones is bad energy,†Covington said. “That guy is a demon, man. We've seen the long laundry list of bad things he's done to women, to people, to cops, to drug testers. He's just a horrible person, bro. When you align yourself with, and you're surrounded by that bad energy all the time, it's going to rub off on you.
“You've got to surround yourself in this life with good people that are like-minded, that work hard, that have faith in God, and aren't just freaking piece of sh*t people like Jon Jones. So he should definitely cut Jon Jones, and get to a new camp, and get focused, and start believing, and start using his wrestling, what got you to the dance.â€
Covington hasn't shy on his views of Jones as a person throughout the years. The two were once roommates at Iowa Central Community College, but they had a falling out. Ever since, Covington has publicly ripped Jones and has brought up past legal issues.
Do you think Gable Steveson should be seeking guidance outside of Jon Jones, or should he stick with his current team? Sound off in the comments below.
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
MMA
Daniel Cormier thinks Manel Kape is serious threat to Joshua Van's UFC title run: "Manel has the power to knock him out"
Published
8 hours agoon
September 21, 2026
Zuffa LLCCould Joshua Van be in for his most dangerous challenger yet in the form of Manel Kape?
Van left no doubt that he is the true 125-pound king when he defeated Alexandre Pantoja in their UFC 331 rematch this past Saturday. Van won the championship in his first encounter with Pantoja due to an injury. He went on to have a successful title defense against Tatsuro Taira, but many felt the rematch with Pantoja was his first real test at an elite level.
Ultimately, Van shined bright and solidified his place at the top of the mountain. A dominant final round of a competitive five-round affair sealed the deal, and Van was awarded the unanimous decision victory.
A new test will emerge for Van, and the general consensus is that Kape will be become the new No. 1 contender for the flyweight gold. In a post-UFC 331 reaction video, Daniel Cormier said he thinks Kape is a credible threat to Van's title reign (h/t MMAJunkie).
“My guess is he's going to fight Manel Kape,†Cormier said. “He has been through now all the grapplers in the division, so he will not have to deal with that threat. The one area that Manel possesses that most don't is Manel has the power to knock him out. That's the difference. Manel can knock him out if he gets the opportunity.
“But in terms of a stylistic challenge, going through Taira, going through Pantoja back-to-back, he's already dealt with what most people thought would have been the biggest issue for Joshua Van, and that's the wrestling, and he passed those fights with flying colors, finishing Taira, and then tonight beating Alexandre Pantoja by unanimous decision.â€
UFC CEO Dana White had significant praise for Van following Saturday's event. He called the 125-pound titleholder the “greatest thing†to happen to the flyweight division in the modern era. Kape plans to spoil the party if he does indeed get dibs next.
Do you think Manel Kape would be Joshua Van's most dangerous challenger thus far? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
MMA
Video: All 7 UFC 331 finishes from a wild night in Los Angeles
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