Nyle Bartling vs Charlie Cleveland the modern main event of LFA’s return to Oklahoma Heavyweight prospects Nyle Bartling and Charlie Cleveland headline LFA’s return to Oklahoma
A modern main event begins as Legacy Fighting Alliance prepares to return to Oklahoma for a night full of mixed martial arts action.
LFA CEO Ed Soares announced that rising heavyweight prospects Nyle Bartling and Charlie Cleveland will now headline the promotion’s upcoming event to be held at the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort Friday, April 3, 2026.
This event is commemorated by LFA first trip to Oklahoma in three yearsbringing another high-level combat card to the Sooner State.
Heavyweight prospects collide in a modern main event
The original headliner with Micaias Ureña and Xavier Franklin has been scratched, clearing the way for a heavyweight showdown between two rising fighters.
Nebraska standout Bartling (9-2) meets Indiana’s Cleveland (5-1) in a head-to-head matchup a three-game winning streak.
“It’s a great heavyweight matchup for our return to Oklahoma,” Soares said. “Nyle is a former standout collegiate wrestler who is hard-wearing and athletic. Cleveland is an aggressive fighter with very massive hands. Both are on a 3-fight win streak that neither wants to see end. Fans can expect an action-packed main event from two very powerful, determined fighters.”
Bartling ready for his debut in LFA
Bartling brings a robust wrestling pedigree to the cage. The heavyweight competed together for the Ohio State Buckeyes and Nebraska Cornhuskers before moving on to MMA.
His rapid rise in the regional scene earned him a spot on Season 30 of The Ultimate Fighter.
He currently holds the professional record 9 wins and 2 lossesBartling will do his thing Debut in LFA wants to prove that he belongs to the top organizations in the heavyweight division.
Cleveland looking for another quick finish
On the other side of the cage will be Cleveland, an explosive forward fighting from East Chicago, Indiana.
Before moving on to MMA, Cleveland was a collegiate football player who competed as a fighter defensive end. Since taking up the sport, he has quickly gained attention for his knockout power.
“The Reaper” made his promotional debut at LFA 226 in Clarksville, Tennessee, where he won a devastating TKO victory in just over a minute.
He now hopes to build on that momentum for another great performance in the heavyweight division.
Broadcast details
The event will be broadcast live in the United States on VICE TV at 21:00 ET / 18:00 PT. Fans can also watch via LFA Battle Network internationally.
Tickets for the event can be purchased at the Grand Casino box office.
Main Card
(Live on VICE TV at 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT)
Heavyweight (265 lbs)
Nyle Bartling (9-2) vs. Charlie Cleveland (5-1)
Middleweight (185 lbs)
David Wright (5-2) vs. John Moore (6-1)
Middleweight (185 lbs)
Jake Woodley (6-1) vs. Shane Sobnosky Jr (8-6)
Featherweight (145 lbs)
Nick Fields (5-3) vs. Elias Rodriguez (3-0)
Airy Heavyweight (205 lbs)
Finn Martin (1-0) vs. Chris Conners (1-0)
Introductory card
(Featured qualifiers are still available Spectator sports at 17:30 ET / 14:30 PT)
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JULY 24: (L-R) Opponents Magomed Ankalaev of Russia and Bogdan Guskov of Uzbekistan face off during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-in at Etihad Arena on July 24, 2026 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)
MMA Fighting has PFL D.C. results for the Jean vs. Rodriguez fight card from CareFirst Arena, Washington, D.C on Saturday night.
In the main event, Thad Jean takes on late-notice replacement Ernesto Rodriguez for the vacant PFL welterweight title. The 2025 PFL welterweight champion, Jean was originally scheduled to face 2024 PFL champion Shamil Musaev in the bout, but Musaev withdrew this week, allowing Rodriguez, who was booked to fight Aaron McKenzie on the undercard, to step in.
A light heavyweight slugfest between Tyson Pedro and Rafael Xavier serves as the co-main event.
The PFL D.C. prelim card kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with the main card following at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Check out the PFL D.C. results below.
Main Card (10 p.m. ET on ESPN)
Thad Jean vs. Ernesto Rodriguez — Vacant welterweight title fight
UFC Abu Dhabi has taken a late just before the event was set to kick off.
Saturday's Fight Night card will go down with only 12 bouts after the cancellation of a main card bout between Islam Dulatov and Wellington Turman, the promotion announced just hours before the start of the event.
According to the promotion, Dulatov was forced off the welterweight bout due to illness. On a statement posted on Dulatov's social media Saturday morning, his team revealed the fighter had to be hospitalized on Friday.
“Last night, Islam was admitted to the hospital due to an infection and spent several hours receiving medical treatment,†the statement read. “Despite every effort to keep the fight on, the decision was made together with the UFC to withdraw him from the bout in the interest of his health and well-being. Right now, the only priority is for Islam to make a full recovery. He will personally address everyone with a statement as soon as he is able.â€
Dulatov's team added that “Islam will use this time to recover completely and will come back stronger than ever.â€
Turman, who was set to make his return to the cage after two and a half years away, sidelined that long due to four shoulder surgeries, said on his social media he wishes Dulatov a quick recovery and hopes for a fast turnaround, re-booking the Dulatov bout or facing a new opponent instead.
The UFC has yet to announce if a fight will be moved to the main card.
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