![\"Mixed](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/STC-L-LFAMMA-1009-02.jpg\")
Mixed martial artist, Lorenzo Figueroa, bottom, from Santa Cruz, fights Billy Ray Valdez at League Fighting Alliance 165 at Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz. (Raul Ebio – Santa Cruz Sentinel file)<\/p>\nSanta Cruz County natives Lorenzo Figueroa, Willy LaMacchia, and Jacob Horton are among the local MMA fighters who will compete at Legacy Fighting Alliance 243 at Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz on Friday.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the promotion\u2019s fourth event held in KP Arena, home of the NBA G League\u2019s Santa Cruz Warriors.<\/p>\n
Figueroa (2-2 overall), a Santa Cruz native who lives in Seaside, squares off against Helton Jos\u00e9 Jr. (0-0) of Manacapuru, Amazonas, Brazil, in heavyweight action on the main card.<\/p>\n
Figueroa is seeking his first LFA win after suffering losses at LFA 165 in Santa Cruz in 2023 and LFA 231 in Prior Lake, Minnesota, in \u201925.<\/p>\n
Mixed martial artist, Lorenzo Figueroa, bottom, from Santa Cruz, fights Billy Ray Valdez at League Fighting Alliance 165 at Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz. (Raul Ebio – Santa Cruz Sentinel file)<\/p>\n
LaMacchia and Horton have fights in the prelims, which\u00a0begin at 4:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
San Francisco\u2019s LaMacchia (0-0), a standout wrestler who shined for both Harbor High and Skyline College, makes his pro debut. He faces San Jose\u2019s Chris Chapa (0-0) in lightweight action.<\/p>\n
LaMacchia posted a 4-2 amateur record while competing in regional promotions Zhong Luo Cage Fighting Series and Liberty Fight League. Chapa went 6-1 as an amateur.<\/p>\n
Horton (0-1), a Scotts Valley High alum, looks for his first pro win against Mark Lozano (0-0) of San Antonio in their catchweight bout.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s Horton\u2019s second LFA event. He was knocked out by Ueslei Alves in the first round of his pro debut at LFA 178 in Santa Cruz in \u201924.<\/p>\n
The main card begins at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n
In the main event, Wildemar Santos (14-5) of Goiania, Goias, Brazil faces Chico\u2019s Nick Maximov (14-2) in a light heavyweight bout.<\/p>\n
In the co-main event, Enrique \u201cLa Pesadilla\u201d Pacheco (9-3) of Santiago, Chile, faces Kevin \u201cLil Dragon\u201d Fernandez (9-1) of Fort Worth, Texas, in a flyweight battle.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s four other fights on the main card.<\/p>\n
Kelvin Martinez (5-2) of Plainview, Texas, faces Antioch\u2019s Mason Carzino-Hartshorn (7-2) in flyweight action.<\/p>\n
San Jose\u2019s Joe Thurrott (6-2) fights Ricky \u201cMr. Snuggles\u201d Miller (6-2) of Plymouth, Indiana, in middleweight action.<\/p>\n
Lathrop\u2019s Aysia \u201cThe Savage\u201d Cortez (3-1) faces Sophie Lang (2-0) of Phoenix in their straweight bout.<\/p>\n
Ali \u201cTormentor\u201d Gazamatov (5-3) of Chechnya, Russia, faces San Francisco\u2019s Kyle \u201cThe Shark\u201d Clark (2-2) in a light heavyweight bout.<\/p>\n
Also in the prelims, Half Moon Bay\u2019s Fernando Diaz-Marquez (1-0) takes on Milpitas\u2019 Ramon Cornejo (1-0) in catchweight action.<\/p>\n
IF YOU GO<\/p>\n
Legacy Fighting Alliance 243<\/p>\n
When: Friday (prelims, 4:30 p.m.; main card, 6 p.m.)<\/p>\n
Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena, Santa Cruz<\/p>\n