Josh Fremd is the first man to advance to the finals of the LFA middleweight tournament.
Fremd (7-1) scored a brutal first-round knockout of Bruno Oliveira (7-3) in Friday’s LFA 98 main event.
The fight took place at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kan.
Fremd wasted no time locking up Oliveira with a trip takedown and planting him on his back inside the first 30 seconds of the fight. The Brazilian stayed patient, and climbed back to his feet to break away into striking range.
“This is the biggest win of my career,” Fremd said in his post-fight interview with Alan Jouban. “You don’t know my striking, you don’t know my boxing. I’ve always had (power), I just haven’t shown it.”
Fremd now moves on to an opportunity to fight for the vacant LFA middleweight title later this year. He will fight the winner of Anthony Adams (8-2) and Gregory Rodrigues (7-3), who will meet in the other semifinal bout at LFA 100 on Feb. 19.
“Both of those guys that are in that fight,” Fremd said. “I look forward to fighting either one of them. No preference.”
LFA 98 results:
Josh Fremd def. Bruno Oliveira via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:37
Lucas Clay def. J.J. Okanovich via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Richard Palencia vs. Jeimeson Saudino via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Dakota Bush def. Austin Clem via TKO (head kick, punches) – Round 1, 0:57
Tabatha Ricci def. Vanessa Grimes via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 1:07
Joshua DaSilveira def. Matt Paul via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:46
Zac Pauga def. Ashby Thomas via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:21
