On Saturday, October 19, 2024, Guayaquil, Ecuador, was the site of the electrifying eighth edition of the League of Fire at the Nexus Body Gym. With over 70 intense MMA, Boxing, kickboxing (K-1) and Muay Thai fights, the event brought together fighters from all over Latin America and beyond, including competitors from Chile, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Argentina and Africa. . Broadcast live on Diblu TVthe event began with early morning weigh-ins and moved into a full day of non-stop action, showcasing the growing strength of combat sports in Ecuador.
The broadcast began with the presenters-Manny FalquezThe broadcast began with presenters- Manny Falquez, CEO and promoter of the Liga De Fuego event, Pancho Bajaña, Alan Napa and Maripaz Magdeleno-welcomingthe viewers. Known for their active role in Ecuador’s combat sports scene, they set the tone for the day. As the camera panned around the packed venue, the anticipation for the fights was palpable. Manny and Alan discussed the importance of this year’s edition, dubbed the “Fajador Edition.Fajador Edition“as a platform for fighters to compete for championship belts. The day was filled with adrenaline, passion and excitement, underscoring Liga De Fuego’s mission to elevate combat sports in Ecuador.
Preliminary Fights
vAdison Zamora Vs David Ibarra
In the 57 kg MMA fight between Adison Zamora and David Ibarra, both fighters began with a show of respect, shaking hands before heading to their corners. Adison threw the first kick and strike, which David quickly matched with his own. The pace intensified as Ibarra attacked Zamora, lifting him up and knocking him to the cage floor, followed by a series of kicks. Adison quickly recovered, but as the fight progressed, the referee stopped the action for a rules explanation on MMA versus kickboxing techniques. As the second round began, Ibarra cornered Adison and connected with a powerful combination of punches. With Adison’s nose bleeding, the referee stopped the fight, declaring David Ibarra the winner by technical knockout.
Andrés “Perro Loco” Cordero vs Jordano Sornoza
An exciting showdown was the duel between Andres “Perro Loco” Cordero and Jordano Sornoza in the 57 kg boxing division. As the fighters headed to the cage, commentators Manny Falquez and Alan Napa added humor and insight to the broadcast. Manny shared a funny anecdote about an exhibition bout he had with Perro Loco, highlighting his experience and active presence in professional fights. The crowd was supportive of their fighters, especially Sornoza’s team, who waved a black and yellow banner. The commentators discussed how the switch between MMA and boxing styles can sometimes confuse fighters, highlighting the differences in footwork and technique required for each sport.
The fight itself was fast-paced and action-packed. In the first round, both fighters came out throwing powerful punches, testing each other’s boxing skills. There was a brief pause when Sornoza slipped, but the referee quickly resumed the match. The second round escalated as the fighters chased each other around the cage, exchanging hard punches, and commentator Alan Napa called it a spectacle. Manny offered insight into the differences between boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai styles. By the third round, both fighters were visibly tired but kept fighting until the final bell. In the end, the judges awarded the victory to Perro Loco after a close battle.
Aron Malagon vs. Javier Espinoza
The next confrontation was a 63 kg MMA fight featured during a post-fight interview with Manny, Alan and Perro Loco, who discussed various fighting techniques. While they were talking, the camera caught Aron Malagon confidently stepping into the cage, fists raised representing the Red Corner, in the Blue Corner to Javier Espinoza. Once both fighters were inside, the referee quickly reviewed the rules before the first round began. Malagon and Espinoza touched gloves and early on, Malagon landed a surprise high kick that landed squarely on Espinoza’s head. In response, Espinoza quickly closed the distance, knocking Malagon down and turning the fight into a grappling contest as both fighters looked for submissions.
The second round continued the action, with both athletes exchanging kicks and wrestling, beating each other relentlessly until the final bell of the third round. After an intense display of skill and determination, the judges tallied their scores and Javier Espinoza emerged as the winner, securing the victory in this hard-fought battle. In the post-fight/ in-cage interview, Manny Falcon mentioned to Espinoza: “During the opening bell of the first round, we were praised for seeing you change your approach in front of your opponent.” “Yes, I had to move on to throwing him to the ground and getting him to submit,”Espinoza said.
Brush Parrales Vs Jun Maza
The match between Brush Parrales y Jun Maza in the 63 kg MMA division was an exciting display of skill, especially as Brush, a Muay Thai fighter, adapted to MMA. Commentators Manny and Alan set the tone and expressed concern about the transition of Muay Thai fighters to MMA, but Brush proved them wrong. After a respectful glove touch and clinch, the fight quickly escalated, with Jun Maza throwing a powerful high kick to Brush’s ribs, followed by a flurry of punches. However, Brush responded with aggressive knee strikes and a decisive head kick, securing a first round knockout victory in one minute. At only 16 years oldthis was Brush’s fifth amateur victory, having started kickboxing at the age of 13. 13 years old y MMA at 14..
Rogel Rugel vs Antony Mejia
In the 61 kg MMA fight, Rogel Rugel of Peru faced Antony Mejia of Ecuador. Mejia, in the blue corner, started strong with a punch to Rugel’s face, which sparked a fierce exchange of punches. Both fighters fought intensely, with Mejia attempting leg sweeps and body shots. Finally, Mejia overpowered Rugel, knocked him to the ground and applied a strong headlock. The fight turned into a grappling contest, with Mejia securing a powerful guillotine choke, putting Rugel to sleep and winning by submission in just 1:35 and raising his fight record to 5-2.
Adrián Quevedo vs. Eric Laica
In a highly anticipated 63 kg K-1 fight, Adrian Quevedo faced Eric Laica, and commentators Manny and Alan provided insight into the differences between K-1 and MMA. Manny explained, “The main differences between K-1 boxing and MMA are the types of techniques allowed, the ranges of motion and the fighting styles that can be used.” He stressed that K-1 focuses solely on striking techniques such as punches, kicks, knees and sweeps, while MMA encompasses a wider range of techniques, including grappling and submissions. Fighters compete in a ring for K-1 bouts, as opposed to the cage used in MMA, and each sport requires different training and equipment.
When the bell rang to signal the start of the first round, Quevedo and Laica circled each other, exchanging blows while assessing each other’s weaknesses. The fighters engaged in small brawls and attempted high kicks, looking for openings. In the second round, however, the intensity increased dramatically. Quevedo unleashed a barrage of powerful punches and kicks, reminiscent of a sibling rivalry, landing several impactful blows. In the end, a well-timed low kick during Laica’s guard change sent him crashing to the canvas at the mark of 46 secondsleaving the audience gasping and concerned for his well-being as Quevedo secured a decisive victory. This was Quevedo’s first professional fight, with 18 wins in Ammeter Kickboxing.
Erick Fajardo vs. Miguel Labrador (main card)
In an exciting K-1 fight at 75 kg, Erick Fajardo faced off against Miguel LabradorBoth fighters looked at each other intensely as the bout began. In just 10 seconds, Fajardo unleashed a series of knees and high kicks, forcing Miguel into defensive mode. In a moment of great momentum, Miguel attempted a flying knee, but Erick evaded it, which caused Miguel to crash hard into the cage, eliciting a “Ohhh!” from the crowd. After the referee restarted the match, Miguel retaliated with some solid Low Kicks. When the bell rang to end the first round, both fighters exchanged smiles and looked at each other as they returned to their corners. In the second round, Fajardo threw hooks, a volley and a hard punch to the liver, only for Miguel to respond with a liver punch of his own. The action continued ferociously into the third round, culminating in a judges’ decision that awarded Erick Fajardo the LDF Championship Belt.
Jandri Ruiz vs. Richard Macias (Main card)
The next fight was a 54 KG Lowkick fight in the first round that started with Richard Macias aggressively charging in, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks. After a brief referee stoppage, the action resumed, with Macias connecting with several kicks and shots to the ribs that kept Jandri Ruiz on the defensive. Both fighters exchanged powerful high kicks to the ribs and head, maintaining a ferocious pace throughout the round. At only 17 years oldJandri, who hails from the Dominican Republic, has already earned respect in the local combat sports scene, with the crowd tipping their hat to Richard as the round concluded.
However, the second round marked a shift in momentum as Jandri turned the tide with a series of hard-hitting exchanges. The intensity increased, leading to the fight being decided by the judges, who awarded the victory to Jandri Ruiz, earning him the LDF Championship Belt. Ruiz, a rising star in the sport, began his journey at the age of 14. 14 years old training in kickboxing and has already accumulated more than 30 wins as an amateur fighter, proving that age is just a number when it comes to talent and determination.
Martin Robalino vs. Jesus Vilela (Main Card)
This is a K1 57 kg fight with the first round starting with an explosive exchange of high knees, kicks and hooks, reminiscent of a classic Street Fighter game battle between Ken and Ryu. Both fighters showed their skills in the cage, but as the round progressed, it became evident that Jesus Vilela was starting to tire, while Martin Robalino was gaining momentum and confidence. The intensity of the match set the stage for an exciting showdown.
As the second round began, Robalino unleashed a series of quick, powerful punches that put Vilela on the defensive. Commentator Manny noted Robalino’s impressive lineage and pointed out that his cousin was among the first Muay Thai teachers in Thailand and had returned to Peru to train Martin. Despite a few hook attempts from Vilela, the action continued to intensify. The third round had a brief interruption when Robalino landed a low blow, prompting the referee to stop the fight momentarily. Once resumed, the fighters engaged in a relentless brawl, and the judges ultimately ruled in favor of Martin Robalino by unanimous decision. At only 15 years oldthis marked Robalino’s 24th fight, primarily in Peru, where Muay Thai is a major sport, earning him the LDF Championship Belt.
Damián De La Cruz vs Alessandro Pazmiño (Co-Principal)
In the 57 kg MMA co-main event, Damian de La Cruzfighting out of the blue corner, faced off against Alessandro Pazmino in the red corner. The bout began with both fighters meeting in the center of the cage, exchanging some light strikes. In a surprising move, Alessandro charged at Damian, lifting him up and executing a body slam that echoed throughout the venue, eliciting gasps and “ohhhh’s” from the crowd. This intense start transitioned into a fierce wrestling exchange, with both fighters trading punches and elbows as they wrestled for control on the ground.
As the second round began, the action intensified with heavy punches exchanged between the two, culminating in an aggressive triangle attempt by Alessandro. Just when it looked like he was on the verge of victory, the bell rang, signaling the end of the round. The third round featured a tense fight in various positions against the cage, with Damian initially appearing to take the lead. However, he eventually took advantage, locking Alessandro in a guillotine choke. Despite Alessandro’s efforts to escape with ineffective elbows, he was forced to tap just a second before the round ended, prompting a collective gasp from the audience. This decisive victory awarded Damian de La Cruz the LDF Championship Belt, solidifying his position in the sport.
The Main Event: Luis Barrera vs. Aron Giler
In the main event of the evening, Luis Barrera took on Aron Giler in an exciting 85 kg MMA bout. From the outset, both fighters unleashed a flurry of hard and fast punches, with Luis carefully studying Aron as they traded punches and grappled across the cage, punctuated by last minute low kicks at the end of the first round. The intensity continued into the second round and continued into the third, where both fighters found themselves on the ground, visibly exhausted and pinned against the cage. Luis attempted multiple submissions on Aron, but the round ended with both still fighting fiercely. As commentators Manny, Pancho and Alan discussed their predictions, the judges finally ruled in favor of Aron Giler, awarding him the victory and the LDF Championship Belt. Giler is only 18 years old.
