Image Source: Tim Bissell
Key Takeaways
- LFA 224 takes place on Friday, January 16, 2026, from the Mystic Lake Showroom in Prior Lake, Minnesota
- The event marks LFA’s first show of the year and their first since leaving UFC Fight Pass
- The main event is for the vacant LFA Heavyweight title, featuring Matt Adams and Arslan Bilatov
- The co-main event is a Welterweight bout between Josiah Harrell and Bekmyrza Dosmatov
- LFA 224 airs on Vice TV, starting at 9 p.m. ET
Introduction to LFA 224
LFA 224 happens tonight, Friday, January 16, 2026, from the Mystic Lake Showroom in Prior Lake, Minnesota. As noted by the MMA Mania team, "it’s been close to 40 days since a UFC event and there’s longer to wait until we see competition in the Octagon." This long wait has left fans eager for some MMA action, and LFA 224 is here to fill that void. As the article states, "LFA might help you satiate that desire to see some MMA during this very long feeling winter." LFA has consistently proven to be a fantastic proving ground for fighters, with many of its past competitors going on to have successful careers in the UFC.
Main Event: Vacant LFA Heavyweight Title
The main event of LFA 224 is a highly anticipated bout for the vacant LFA Heavyweight title. This title was previously held by notable fighters such as Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Denzel Freeman, both of whom are set to compete at UFC 324 next week. Freeman vacated the belt when he was signed to the UFC last year. As the article notes, "Freeman vacated the belt when he was signed to UFC last year." The title is now up for grabs, and Matt Adams and Arslan Bilatov are the two fighters vying for the championship. Adams, fighting out of Ohio, boasts a 5-1 record, while Bilalov, a Russian fighter, is undefeated with a 5-0 record. Bilalov is coming off a submission win in November, where he claimed the Alaska Fighting Championship Heavyweight belt.
Co-Main Event: Welterweight Bout
The co-main event of LFA 224 features a Welterweight bout between Josiah Harrell and Bekmyrza Dosmatov. Harrell, a 27-year-old fighter, has an impressive 10-0 record, with wins in both LFA and the Ohio Combat League. As the article states, "Harrell almost made his UFC debut in 2023, attempting to come in on short notice to fight Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 290." However, Harrell was removed from the card due to a rare brain disease that was flagged during his pre-fight medicals. He underwent surgery to fix the issue and returned to fighting two years later. Last year, Harrell scored a first-round submission over Melvin Guillard. Dosmatov, fighting out of Osh, Kyrgyzstan, has a 13-2 record, with most of his fights taking place in Eurasia.
Other Notable Fights
In addition to the main and co-main events, LFA 224 also features a notable Lightweight bout between Brazilian veteran Ednilson Santos and former Combate Global fighter Jose Ferreira. As the article notes, "this card also has Brazilian veteran Ednilson Santos taking on former Combate Global fighter Jose Ferreira, at Lightweight." This fight is sure to be an exciting matchup, with both fighters looking to make a statement in the Lightweight division.
LFA 224 Start Date and Time
LFA 224 airs on Vice TV, marking the first time the promotion has partnered with the network. The main card is set to start at 9 p.m. ET, and fans can keep up with all the results and highlights from the event on MMA Mania. As the article states, "keep it locked on MMA Mania for all the results and highlights from the event." Fans can also join in on the discussion in the comments section to talk about the fights with fellow fans. With a stacked card and exciting matchups, LFA 224 is sure to be an event to remember.
Conclusion
In conclusion, LFA 224 is an exciting event that is sure to satisfy fans’ cravings for MMA action during the long winter wait for UFC events. With a vacant LFA Heavyweight title up for grabs and a co-main event featuring a talented Welterweight bout, this card has something for everyone. As the article notes, "LFA has been a fantastic proving ground for fighters over the years with many of their past fighters making it to UFC and having long careers in the Octagon." Be sure to tune in to Vice TV at 9 p.m. ET to catch all the action, and join in on the discussion with fellow fans on MMA Mania.
https://www.mmamania.com/regional-mma-news-results/414352/lfa-224-results-highlights-play-by-play
