LFA 223 Results: New Welterweight Champion Crowned in Niagara Falls
Legacy Fighting Alliance delivered exactly what hardcores expected from LFA’s latest trip to New York. Inside Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, LFA 223 crowned a new welterweight champion, produced one of the cleaner title-fight comebacks you’ll see on the regional scene, and gave a veteran the perfect walk-off KO to end his career.
Piersma Taps Francischinelli for LFA Welterweight Gold
In the main event, hometown grinder Jonathan Piersma finally broke through, submitting undefeated Brazilian prospect Luis Francischinelli to capture the vacant 170 lb belt. After tense striking exchanges and clinch battles, Piersma dragged the fight into his world and locked in the rear-naked choke, securing the finish and his biggest win to date in Piersma vs. Francischinelli. For a welterweight division that has already sent names like Jason Jackson and Gabriel Bonfim to the big leagues, this was a statement that Piersma is next in line for a UFC look.
Joe Taylor’s Storybook Retirement & Card Highlights
The other emotional high point of LFA 223 belonged to Joe Taylor. In his final walk to the cage, the veteran uncorked a brutal first-round knockout over Shealor Ladd in Ladd vs. Taylor, dropping him early and forcing the referee to step in.
Joe Taylor KO in his retirement fight #LFA223 pic.twitter.com/POLAfgS5in
— Boogie Muse (@BoogieFlandMuse) November 22, 2025
Elsewhere on the main card, Jeff Creighton edged out dangerous Brazilian Diego Bianchini in a competitive three-round scrap in Creighton vs. Bianchini, while Steve Collins stopped Kyle Pufahl in Collins vs. Pufahl, reminding everyone why LFA remains one of the most reliable finishing factories in the sport.
Further down the card, Cole Alaxanian and Taner Trembley went to war in Alaxanian vs. Trembley, with Trembley snatching a late guillotine in round three, while grinder Kelton Sneve did enough to outwork Kevin Carrier in Carrier vs. Sneve. Jayde Sheeley and Aline David fought to a hard-nosed draw in David vs. Sheeley, the kind of regional three-rounder that usually spawns an immediate rematch discussion.
Prelims Bring Chaos, Controversy and Fast Finishes
The prelims were pure LFA: heavy swings, quick finishes and a little bit of judging drama. In heavyweight action, RJ Harris flattened Alex Marro in Marro vs. Harris, while Sebastian Ruiz stopped Nick Eldridge in Ruiz vs. Eldridge. Farman Hasanov battled through a rough cut to take out Abdurakhman Fazilov in Fazilov vs. Hasanov, and Travon Eller survived an early storm to finish Mus’aib Baiyina in their wild catchweight clash at Baiyina vs. Eller.
Hope Chase kept her momentum rolling with a gritty win over Nikola Kacperska in Chase vs. Kacperska, and former collegiate standout Jake Woodley imposed his wrestling and ground-and-pound on Adland Benson in Benson vs. Woodley. On the amateur/pro-borderline radar, Cole Alaxanian and Taner Trembley shared one of the more technical exchanges of the night in Alaxanian vs. Trembley.
One of the talking points online came from a different bout entirely, when Anthony Camilleri heard a 30–27 score go against him and let the judge know exactly what he thought – loudly and with F-bombs – even though he still walked away with a split-decision win.
Plural... but not a chance that was 30-27 either way. #LFA223 pic.twitter.com/QDqSfcASxB
— Zac (@zaclikesmma) November 22, 2025
LFA 223: Full Fight Results
Main Card – Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino
- Jonathan Piersma vs. Luis Francischinelli – Piersma def. Francischinelli via R3 submission (rear-naked choke), 1:22 – for the vacant LFA welterweight title
- Jeff Creighton vs. Diego Bianchini – Creighton def. Bianchini via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)
- Steve Collins vs. Kyle Pufahl – Collins def. Pufahl via TKO, R1, 4:01
- Joe Taylor vs. Shealor Ladd – Taylor def. Ladd via KO, R1, 0:35
- Taner Trembley vs. Cole Alaxanian – Trembley def. Alaxanian via submission (guillotine), R3, 3:57
- Kelton Sneve vs. Kevin Carrier – Sneve def. Carrier via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 30–27)
- Aline David vs. Jayde Sheeley – majority draw (28–28, 28–28, 28–28)
Preliminary Card
- Abdurakhman Fazilov vs. Farman Hasanov – Hasanov def. Fazilov via TKO (doctor stoppage), R1, 4:58
- Adland Benson vs. Jake Woodley – Woodley def. Benson via TKO (ground-and-pound), R1, 4:37
- Alex Marro vs. RJ Harris – Harris def. Marro via KO (punch), R1, 2:17
- Nick Eldridge vs. Sebastian Ruiz – Ruiz def. Eldridge via TKO (punch), R2, 1:26
- Mus’aib Baiyina vs. Travon Eller – Eller def. Baiyina via TKO (slam and punches), R1, 0:29
- Hope Chase vs. Nikola Kacperska – Chase def. Kacperska via split decision
LFA 223 FAQ
Where did LFA 223: Francischinelli vs. Piersma take place?
LFA 223 was held at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, New York, under the Legacy Fighting Alliance banner.
Who won the LFA welterweight title at LFA 223?
Jonathan Piersma submitted Luis Francischinelli in the main event to become the new LFA welterweight champion.
How did Joe Taylor finish his retirement fight?
In his final professional bout, Joe Taylor scored a first-round knockout of Shealor Ladd in Ladd vs. Taylor, providing a highlight-reel ending to his career.
What was the most memorable prelim moment at LFA 223?
Among several wild finishes, the quick slam-and-punches stoppage in Baiyina vs. Eller, plus the dramatic knockout in Harris vs. Marro, stood out as signature LFA chaos on the undercard.
