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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

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4 months ago

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Photo source: CPAMMA

A 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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MMA

Four earn UFC contracts at DWCS 2026 Week 1

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57 minutes ago

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August 12, 2026

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Four earn UFC contracts at DWCS 2026 Week 1
Only one victor didn't impress Dana
White and the
Ultimate Fighting Championship matchmakers on Week 1 of

Dana White's Contender Series 2026.

Joseph Kropschot, Tom Pagliarulo, Bilal Hasan and Anthony Wint
earn UFC contracts at DWCS 2026 Week 1

Joseph
Kropschot (9-3) opened the action in a middleweight outing
against Jonathan
Kunneman (10-1). Kropschot dislocated Kunneman's elbow with an
armbar in the final seconds of the fight. He earned a unanimous
decision win after his opponent refused to tap. Kropschot's intent
to finish was enough for White to give him a UFC contract.

“When he got that armbar, I said, ‘I'm gonna give him a shot.' 31
years old, he went for the finish. I'm always looking for guys to
finish,†White said. “That fight should have been finished… Joseph,
you went for it and you swayed me and changed my mind.
Congratulations.â€

Tom
Pagliarulo (11-2) was the second fighter to earn a contract on
Week 1. The featherweight prospect finished Ananias
Mulumba (10-4) with vicious ground-and-pound in the final
seconds of the fight.

“Thomas, you were in a dog fight; turned it on in the third round,
and finished a really tough kid,†White said. “Congratulations,
you're in.â€

Former
Cage Fury Fighting Championships flyweight champion Bilal Hasan
(9-0) was a -5000 favorite going into his matchup against Mridul
Saikia (9-2). Hassan absolutely justified the odds by
dispatching Saikia in 45 seconds to earn his UFC contract. White
can't wait for Hasan's first UFC bout.

“This is an absolute no-brainer. Even with the ton of hype,
absolutely lived up to it,†the UFC CEO said. “When you're the
biggest favorite in the history of the Contender Series, 10 years.
That's how you treat somebody, and you absolutely did. I'm excited
to see your future. I'm really pumped for your first fight in the
UFC.â€

Abe
Alsaghir (9-0) earned a split decision win in a lightweight
tilt against Fabrizio
Escarrega (9-2). While both fighters went toe-to-toe, White
believes neither fighter stood out to earn a contract. The UFC head
honcho also disagreed with the judges' scorecards on this one.

“I actually thought this was a dog fight between two tough guys
with great records,†White recalled. “And the third round was where
I was looking to see who was going to be my guy, and it never
happened. And I don't agree with the judges. I don't think you won
that fight. I think the judges absolutely blew that decision. And I
just didn't see anything that I was looking for.â€

Anthony
Wint (7-0) earned the final contract of the night with a
first-round stoppage win over Matthew
Adams (6-3). The heavyweight powerhouse took hardly over 30
seconds to reverse a takedown and rain brutal ground-and-pound to
secure the stoppage.

“Anthony, you're a f*cking tank, my friend… Holy sh*t!†White said.
“I didn't get to see much, but what I got to see was pretty nasty.
And I have a long history with your coach, who has nothing but good
things to say about you. Welcome to the UFC.â€




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MMA

Tom Pagliarulo overcomes fear, earns UFC contract at DWCS 2026 Week 1

Published

3 hours ago

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August 12, 2026

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Tom Pagliarulo overcomes fear, earns UFC contract at DWCS 2026 Week 1
Tom
Pagliarulo's career aspirations are finally coming to
fruition.

Pagliarulo (11-2) took on Ananias
Mulumba in a featherweight clash on Week 1 of
Dana White's Contender Series 2026. “The Phenom†left it all in
the cage, finishing Mulumba with ground-and-pound in the final
seconds of the fight, earning an
Ultimate Fighting Championship contract for his efforts.

‘Most afraid I've ever been': Tom Pagliarulo details how his
team helped him stay focused ahead of DWCS Week 1

Pagliarulo admits that he was very nervous throughout fight week.
However, his coaches and teammate, UFC bantamweight Cory
Sandhagen, helped him stay dialed in. The 29-year-old is glad
to have finally made it to the biggest stage in MMA, even if it
came a little later than he expected.

“This is the most afraid I've ever been in my life, all week,â€
Pagliarulo said in his post-fight interview. “My coaches and Cory
Sandhagen back home kept me locked in. Just reminded me to go be
me, and that will always be enough. I'm like a cockroach; you got
to kill me if you want to put me away… I was never the most
talented or naturally gifted kid. Growing up, doing all these
sports, I fell short of all my goals. I was never the starter in
all of those team sports. But I was always the hardest worker in
the room; I kept showing up. My coaches back home told me, ‘You've
always had that fire.'â€

UFC CEO Dana
White later commended Pagliarulo's performance before awarding
him a contract.

“Thomas, you were in a dog fight, turned it on in the third round,
and finished a really tough kid,†White said. “Congratulations,
you're in.â€


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MMA

Stephen Thompson wants ‘barnburner’ at MSG for final fight on UFC deal

Published

5 hours ago

on

August 12, 2026

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Stephen Thompson wants ‘barnburner’ at MSG for final fight on UFC deal
Stephen
Thompson is looking to end his
Ultimate Fighting Championship contract with a bang.

Thompson (17-9-1) recently revealed that he has one fight left in
his current UFC contract. “Wonderboy†is looking to fight out his
deal at the UFC's annual New York City card in November at Madison
Square Garden, which will likely be UFC 334.

Stephen Thompson targets Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden with
one fight remaining on his UFC contract

Thompson is going through the welterweight roster to scout an
opponent who can deliver a potential banger with him.

“Madison Square Garden, Nov. 14, got to make it happen,†the former
title challenger told Home of Fight. “I've actually got one fight
left in my contract. We're looking at November… We'll see who we
get. We're kind of looking at the roster, trying to find out a good
fight. A good barnburner, if you will, for that card.â€

While Thompson never tasted UFC gold despite two attempts against
Tyron
Woodley, the former kickboxer has endeared himself to the
fanbase with his flashy striking style and well-mannered nature.
The 43-year-old is currently on a three-fight slump, losing to
Gabriel
Bonfim, Joaquin
Buckley and Shavkat
Rakhmonov in his recent bouts.

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