Local fighter Jacob Horton is set to make his professional debut at Legacy Fighting Alliance 178 in Santa Cruz. Read more about his journey and the upcoming event.
| Fighters | Bouts |
|---|---|
| Jacob Horton vs. Ueslei Alves Oliveira | Welterweight |
| Miguel Jacob vs. Jeff Creighton | Welterweight |
| Aris Arguello vs. Edmund Kwan | Lightweight |
| Uran Satybaldiev vs. Bruno Assis | Light Heavyweight |
Mixed martial artist Jacob Horton, a 22-year-old Scotts Valley High alum, is set to make his professional debut at Legacy Fighting Alliance 178. The event will take place at Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz on Friday. Horton will face Ueslei Alves Oliveira, a Brazilian fighter who trains in San Francisco, in a welterweight bout. This is a significant opportunity for Horton, as he will have the support of his community in his first professional fight.
Local Fighter Jacob Horton Makes Pro Debut
Mixed martial artist Jacob Horton, a 22-year-old Scotts Valley High alum, is set to make his professional debut at Legacy Fighting Alliance 178. The event will take place at Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz on Friday. Horton will face Ueslei Alves Oliveira, a Brazilian fighter who trains in San Francisco, in a welterweight bout. This is a significant opportunity for Horton, as he will have the support of his community in his first professional fight.
More than 2,300 fight fans attended the previous LFA event in Santa Cruz, and the promotion decided to return to the venue due to its popularity. The co-main event will feature Kyrgyzstan’s Uran Satybaldiev taking on Brazil’s Bruno Assis for the title of LFA interim light heavyweight champion. Other notable fights on the card include Miguel Jacob vs. Jeff Creighton in a welterweight bout and Aris Arguello vs. Edmund Kwan in a lightweight bout.
Horton’s coach, Ron Keslar, played a crucial role in securing the fight for his student. Horton has been training at San Jose’s American Kickboxing Academy and has shown significant improvement in his skills and physicality. He has a perfect 6-0-0 record in amateur fights and has finished all but one of his opponents by submission in the first round.
Horton’s opponent, Ueslei Alves Oliveira, is a second-degree black belt in Ralph Gracie Jiu Jitsu and has trained at AKA as well. Despite Oliveira’s experience, Horton has a height and reach advantage, as well as a hunger to prove himself in his professional debut.
Horton has been preparing extensively for this fight and is ready both physically and mentally. While he aims to continue his streak of dominant first-round victories, he is prepared for a longer, strategic fight if necessary. Regardless of the outcome, Horton is grateful for the opportunity to represent his community and make them proud.
The LFA 178 event will feature a total of 10 fights on the main card, showcasing talented fighters from various weight classes. It promises to be an exciting night of MMA action in Santa Cruz, with local fighter Jacob Horton making his highly anticipated professional debut.
