LFA 223 takes place this weekend in New York. It is broadcast on UFC Fight Pass at 07:30 PM ET on Friday 21st November. Also note that Gabe Stevenson will be fighting this weekend as well on an Anthony Pettis FC card.

LUIS FRANCISCHINELLI (5-0) vs. JONATHAN PIERSMA (10-3) – Welterweight Championship

I think this is a real test to see if Luis is legit. Piersma has been knocking on the UFC's door for a long time now and has come close with a Road to UFC showcase bout which he lost. Aside from that he has been on pretty solid win streams which have been cut short by decent fighters including a very unfortunate wheel kick KO loss. He is a wrestler and he has solid wins, taking out many undefeated fighters including DWCS 2025's Jack Congdon. He doesn't deal well with strikes though and he will need to use his wrestling here. Once he does get his take downs he isn't super dangerous. Despite having a lot of finishes I would consider him to be more of a grinder rather than a BJJ submission expert, or a ground and pound dominant fighter. He has a chance at pulling off an upset as we don't know much about Luis' grappling at all. Luis is 5-0 with five first round knock outs. He is 6'6″ at 170 lbs and actually uses his 84 inch reach well. He hits very hard for a tall, thin fighter too. We don't really know anything about his defensive grappling and this is a fight to test him in. Piersma doesn't deal well with strikes and for that reason I am picking Luis by KO, but an upset wouldn't shock me all too much. I think people are very high on Luis and for good reason, but we still have a lot of unknowns regarding his game

Pick: Luis Francischinelli by KO/TKO. Low confidence.

JEFF CREIGHTON (11-2-1) vs. DIEGO BIANCHINI (9-1) – Welterweight

Both of these guys were on the last The Ultimate Fighter season, and both lost to Rodrigo Sezinando. I actually picked Creighton to win the whole show, I was quite high on him going into TUF and he has some pretty good regional wins, including a big win over Bellator prospect Joey Davis. Creighton is a solid wrestler but he can strike as well, even though he doesn't have a lot of power. Bianchini si a grappler but in my opinion is much less well rounded than Creighton. His striking is not as good, and his wrestling is not as good. He is the better grappler and has a submission arsenal but aside from that I don't think he will pose much of a threat. I like Creighton to wear on Bianchini with the wrestling and striking. Creighton could find a late finish as Bianchini can fade if the fight gets extended but I think he wins a decision here.

Pick: Jeff Creighton by decision. Medium confidence.

KYLE PUFAHL (6-2) vs. STEVE COLLINS (5-0) – Lightweight

I am not super sold on Collins yet but it looked like he has potential. I think he is a bit small for 155 lbs being 5'8″, but he did fight at 145 lbs as an amateur so maybe he can't make the weight anymore. I consider him to be a boxer wrestler, mostly relying on his right hand for power. He has some big highlight finishes but so far has mostly been getting wins by decision based on that wrestling and striking. He certainly has fought better competition than Pufahl has. Pufahl is a wrestler but it doesn't look like he offers more than that. Collins is the better striker for sure and I think he wins based on damage, getting his boxing going. He can be low volume in there at times which could be concerning but I don't think that Pufahl is the guy to exploit this.

Pick: Steve Collins by KO/TKO. Medium confidence.

JOE TAYLOR (6-2) vs. SHEALOR LADD (3-0) – Light Heavyweight

Joe Taylor is a kick boxer but he is old and inactive now. Ladd fights like Anthony Hernandez with a very aggressive wrestling and grappling style he should win by sub here.

Pick: Shealor Ladd by submission. Medium-high confidence.