LFA 237: Lee vs. Tardio Headlines La Crosse Debut

LFA 237: Lee vs. Tardio takes place on Friday, 24th July 2026, at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin, marking Legacy Fighting Alliance’s first event in the city. The card showcases a mix of regional prospects and international talent, with a high-stakes bantamweight main event that could shape the next title challenger at 135 lbs.

Main Event:

Mackson Lee (9–1) enters the headliner as a towering 6-foot-1 Brazilian bantamweight and Dana White’s Contender Series veteran now training out of Florida. He brings unusual height and reach for 135 lbs, using his length, athleticism, and finishing ability to create matchup problems for most opponents as he looks to rebound from his first professional loss last September.

Carlos “Wonderboy” Tardio (12–2) is a highly credentialed Bolivian contender who has built a reputation as one of South America’s premier bantamweights. This is his first LFA main event, and a statement win on U.S. soil would immediately establish him as a serious threat for a future LFA bantamweight title shot.

The matchup works as a clash of physical profiles and regional résumés. Lee’s size and DWCS experience meet Tardio’s depth of competition and consistency, with both men knowing that an impressive victory could move them directly into the championship conversation.

Key Fights on the Card

LFA 237 is expected to feature a 14–15 fight lineup, mixing established prospects with newer names:

- Bantamweight: Carlos Tardio vs. Mackson Lee – International main event with potential title implications.

- Lightweight: Kegan Gennrich vs. Jose Mendez – A featured matchup that could push the winner toward higher-profile LFA lightweight opportunities.

- Heavyweight: Ty Flores vs. RJ Harris – A clash that promises finishing potential and heavyweight volatility.

- Middleweight: Dylan Diebitz vs. Preston LaGrange – Regional middleweights looking to make a statement on a televised stage.

- Welterweight: Joey Hart vs. James Martin – A welterweight bout that can help clarify who moves up the internal pecking order.

- Featherweight: Santos Verdinez vs. Ray Hayes – A compelling 145 lb pairing between emerging featherweights.

- Heavyweight: Ezayah Gomez vs. Luther Egerson – Another big-man matchup adding knockout threat to the undercard.

- Featherweight: Lucas Faria vs. Elias Rodriguez – Showcasing additional depth at 145 lbs.

- Strawweight: Jaida Harshman vs. Cara Greenwell – A key bout in the women’s strawweight division.

- Flyweight: Oscar Jurado Sánchez vs. Aupuni Pagaoa – Flyweight action with room for the winner to build momentum.

This spread of divisions gives the card a balanced feel, with the main event sitting atop a structure designed to highlight talent that could graduate to larger promotions in the near future.

What’s at Stake

For Lee:

- A strong rebound performance after his first pro loss would restore his trajectory as one of the most intriguing physical talents at bantamweight.

- A main-event win over an established South American contender would likely push him toward a formal LFA title eliminator or direct title shot.

For Tardio:

- A victory in his first U.S.-based LFA main event would represent the biggest breakthrough of his career.

- Beating a widely discussed prospect like Lee under the bright lights of VICE TV could solidify his status as a top-tier LFA bantamweight contender.

For LFA:

- The La Crosse Center debut demonstrates the promotion’s continued expansion into new regional markets.

- A successful show with a strong main event and deep undercard reinforces LFA’s reputation as a launching pad for fighters aiming at the sport’s highest levels.

Final Outlook

LFA 237: Lee vs. Tardio is built as a meaningful step for both its headliners and the promotion’s bantamweight division. Mackson Lee’s rare frame and DWCS experience collide with Carlos Tardio’s South American pedigree in a matchup that should clarify who belongs closest to an LFA title shot.

Backed by a long, varied card and a wide-reaching broadcast plan, the event looks set to deliver a full night of action while also serving as a showcase for the next wave of fighters striving to move from regional prominence to global opportunity.