LFA Lightweight World Champion Richie “El Machete” Miranda has officially signed with the UFC and will make his promotional debut on short notice this Saturday, August 8, 2026, at UFC Vegas 120. Fighting out of Bloodline Combat Sports under the mentorship of UFC veteran Cub Swanson, Miranda represents the absolute elite of Southern California’s rising mixed martial arts talent. For the Cyborg Nation community, this debut marks a significant milestone. Miranda has served as a key, trusted training partner for our Grand Slam Champion, Cris Cyborg, helping her prepare for major career matchups.
The Domination of “El Machete” in the LFA Arena
Miranda earned his call to the global stage by establishing himself as one of the most dominant champions in LFA history. He captured the lightweight world title at LFA 207 by outlasting and dethroning Richie Lewis in an absolute war.
Since winning the title, Miranda has defended his belt more times than any lightweight in the history of the promotion:
-
- LFA 207: Won the vacant undisputed title against Richie Lewis via 5th-round TKO.
- LFA 215: Defended his crown with a commanding unanimous decision victory over Ilay Barzilay.
- LFA 233: Completed his most recent title defense in May 2026, stopping Robert Varricchio with a phenomenal second-round bulldog choke.
Holding an impressive 13-1 professional record, Miranda is riding an explosive 7-fight winning streak. A former 2x collegiate All-American wrestler out of Santa Ana College, his heavy top-pressure, grueling pace, and elite catch-wrestling submissions have made him an absolute nightmare for anyone at 155 pounds.
Sharpening the Sword: Training with Cris Cyborg
Before the UFC came calling, Richie Miranda spent valuable rounds trading leather and grappling inside the training camps of Cris Cyborg. When Cyborg was preparing for her historic PFL MMA bouts against elite judo and grappling specialists like Sara Collins, it was Miranda who brought the elite wrestling pressure required to keep the champ sharp.
Cyborg has regularly praised Miranda’s professionalism, intense work ethic, and world-class wrestling credentials. Having shared the mat with the greatest female fighter of all time, “El Machete” has already felt championship-level power and speed, ensuring he enters the Octagon fully prepared for the brightest lights in sports.
The Debut Matchup: Welcoming a Brazilian Knockout Artist
Miranda is stepping onto the big stage with zero hesitation, accepting this debut on just 10 days’ notice. He will be facing a dangerous, highly touted opponent on the preliminary card at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas:
| Fighter Profile | Richie “El Machete” Miranda | Manoel “Manumito” Sousa |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 13-1 | 14-1 |
| Status | UFC Debut | 1-0 in UFC |
| Fighting Out Of | Santa Ana, California | Brazil |
| Fighting Style | All-American Wrestling & Catch Submissions | Aggressive Striking & Knockout Power |
| Notable Achievements | LFA Lightweight Champion | Former SFT Combat Champion |
Manoel Sousa enters the bout with an identical level of experience and serious finishing power. He already has a UFC victory under his belt and a Performance of the Night bonus to his name. This represents a classic clash of styles: Sousa will try to keep the fight standing to utilize his explosive striking, while Miranda will look to implement his patented high-volume pressure and drag the Brazilian into deep waters.
Cyborg Nation, it is time to rally behind one of our own. Watch Richie “El Machete” Miranda represent Southern California, Bloodline Combat Sports, and the championship standard of training this Saturday afternoon on ESPN+.
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