The next fight card for Resurrection Fighting Alliance will take place on April 11th in Cheyenne, Wyoming and RFA 14 will be headlined by Wyoming’s own Matt Manzanares facing top Brazilian prospect Leandro Higo for the vacant RFA flyweight world title.
Along with announcing the main event, RFA President Ed Soares revealed that the co-main went will be a number one contenders bout in the RFA flyweight division as Mark Dickman faces Raoni Barcelos.
RFA 14 will come from the City of Cheyenne Ice and Events Center and tickets are currently available through CageTix.com. Tickets start at $25 and a Student or Military ID will receive an additional $5 discount.
“I’m excited to bring the biggest MMA event to the state of Wyoming since UFC 6 went there 19 years ago,” stated Soares. “Matt Manzanares and Mark Dickman are two of the most exciting fighters in RFA history and Leandro Higo and Raoni Barcelos are two of the most talented prospects in Brazil. Manzanares vs. Higo will make an outstanding flyweight title fight and the winner of Dickman vs. Barcelos will fight for the featherweight title in their next bout.”
Manzanares (6-2) made his RFA debut in 2012 and is coming off a decision defeat to current UFC flyweight and former Bellator champion Zach Makovsky. The defeat snapped a two fight winning streak and both of the victories were by stoppage.
“I’m ecstatic to be fighting for the RFA world title in my hometown in front of all of my friends and family,” Manzanares explained. “Leandro Higo is a very well-rounded fighter from a great camp. His jiu-jitsu is really good, but he’s also very aggressive and likes to bang, which plays more into my favor. I feel very blessed for this opportunity. RFA sees something in me and they believe in me. I want to prove them right by winning the world title right here in Cheyenne.”
Higo (13-2) recently signed with RFA and will be looking for his fifth straight win in this fight. Three of his last four wins have come by rear-naked choke submission and his only defeat in his last seven fights came against former UFC fighter Illiarde Santos.
“RFA is a great event and I hope to be very successful in it. I believe I can get a great exposure and the recognition of people and fighters all around the world by winning the belt,” stated Higo. “I know Matt Manzanares is a skilled fighter and was able to go five rounds with Zach Makovsky for RFA’s title. I’m sure we’ll have a great fight.”
The current RFA 14: Manzanares vs. Higo card is below and the organization will be announcing the full fight card shortly.
Main Card: (AXS TV – 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)
Matt Manzanares (6-2) vs. Leandro Higo (13-2)
Mark Dickman (8-1) vs. Raoni Barcelos (7-0)
Tyler Voth (5-1) vs. Jeimeson Saudino (8-2)
Jocelyn Lybarger (2-1) vs. Rosa Acevedo (1-0)