LFA 218: Makaev, Nascimento Headline Promotion’s Thrilling European Showcase

“Europe has been waiting for tournaments like this to come here,” he told MMA Sucka. “Tenerife is a great place, but for me, it’s not about the location, it’s about the opponent and doing my job in the cage.”

LFA 218: The Other Corner: Jefferson “Todynho” Nascimento

Nascimento enters LFA 218 11–0, fighting out of Renovação Fight Team (RFT) in Rio de Janeiro. His style is built on controlled pressure, quick entries to clinch, and finishing instincts on the mat. According to Tapology, his 11 professional wins are split evenly among knockouts, submissions, and decisions.

Nascimento has kept a low profile heading into the biggest fight of his career, letting his record speak for itself. Starting in judo as a child, he’s grown into one of Brazil’s most promising prospects under the RFT banner.

Recently, while already in Spain for fight week, Nascimento posted a photo of himself on Instagram wearing a title belt with the caption “And Still.” It was a clear nod of confidence as he prepares to defend his unbeaten record on LFA’s European stage.

LFA has spotlighted Nascimento as one of its “hot undefeated prospects,” with fight-week promo material underscoring how close he may be to a UFC look if he keeps winning.

Styles and Stakes Heading Into LFA 218

Makaev believes pace and layered wrestling will be the difference:

“I’ll set the pace in the stand-up, and once I take the fight to the ground, I’ll control and wear him down.”

Nascimento’s answers come from a more compact rhythm—short, accurate punching into body locks and mat returns—paired with calm decision-making late in rounds. On paper, it’s pressure vs. composure, pace vs. grips.

The LFA Pipeline Arrives in Europe for LFA 218

Since 2017, Legacy Fighting Alliance has been one of MMA’s premier springboards to the UFC, producing alumni such as Alex Pereira and Brandon Moreno.

“Spain marks our gateway into Europe… an exciting milestone for our portfolio, and just the first of many international opportunities ahead,” said LFA CEO Ed Soares.

Carley Connor, LFA’s Director of Public Relations, highlighted the global momentum behind the Tenerife card:

“September marks a huge milestone for us as our card in Spain will wrap up a month of international success for the brand. Once LFA 218 concludes we will have hosted 3 events on 3 different continents over the last 30 days!”

The promotion also enters Tenerife with momentum on the awards circuit, nominated for Best Promotion at the World MMA Awards. Soares himself was shortlisted for Leading Man, alongside figures such as UFC president Dana White.

LFA 218’s Depth Beyond the Main Event

Italy’s Walter “The Snatch” Cogliandro (a veteran of ONE Championship and SBG Ireland) meets Lucas Almeida in the co-main—an experience vs. athleticism pairing that rounds out the card’s storyline: prospects ascending while proven grinders chase one more run.

“LFA is giving me a major opportunity, and I’ll give them a real fight, just like I always do,” Cogliandro said. (The bout was updated after a change from the originally targeted Kevin Cordero matchup.)

Why Tenerife for LFA 218

The Pabellón Insular Santiago Martín (basketball capacity ~5,100) has already hosted Brave CF and local operator Fight 2 One. The island’s arena pedigree and year-round climate make it a logical test site for a European LFA footprint.

The Canary Islands have also leaned heavily into sports tourism. According to the Canary Islands Tourism Board, in 2024 the regional government invested €2.8 million into 24 major events, which drew 120,000 visitors and generated roughly €160 million in economic return.

Tenerife’s Growing Sports Calendar

• Brave CF: hosted cards in 2023 & 2025 at Santiago Martín

• Fight 2 One: eight local MMA shows staged on the island

• Tenerife Bluetrail: annual ultramarathon through the mountains

• Basketball: CB Canarias (Liga ACB) calls the arena home

• 2024 impact: Canary Islands Tourism invested €2.8M → 120,000 visitors, €160M return

How to Watch LFA 218

• Date: Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025

• Location: Pabellón Insular Santiago Martín, Tenerife, Spain

• Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass (worldwide)

• Start time: [3 pm ET / 12 pm PT]

More Than a Belt on the Line at LFA 218

For LFA, Tenerife is about expansion. For Spain, it’s about proving the country can host—and produce—world-class MMA at scale.

For Makaev, the fight is about proving Spain can deliver more than one star. For Nascimento, it’s about staying perfect and inspiring the kids from his community back in Rio. Two prospects from opposite sides of the world, carrying very different dreams, will collide under the lights in Tenerife.

Whichever vision holds, LFA 218 will mark a new chapter in the sport’s global story.