RFA 29: USA vs. Brazil set with Robbie Lawler, Lyoto Machida as honorary coaches

Ricky Musgrave

The top three bouts are set for RFA 29 and there’s an unusual flavor to the event. The card will feature battles between top American and Brazilian prospects.

Adding to the USA vs. Brazil flavor is the inclusion of current UFC welterweight Robbie Lawler and former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida serving as honorary coaches for the event.

The card’s main event will be a battle for the vacant featherweight championship between Ricky Musgrave (14-4) and Raoni Barcelos (8-1).

Musgrave is riding a four-fight winning streak. Included in that recent run are a pair of wins in the Bellator cage and a TKO win over UFC veteran Alvin Robinson at RFA 22.

Barcelos rebounded from his first career loss with a knockout of Jamal Parks at RFA 23. The hard hitting Barcelos, a standout from the Nova Uniao camp, has only seen the judges’ scorecards twice in his career, with five of his wins coming by way of knockout.

A welterweight bout between Jordon Larson (6-1) and Ackson Junior (4-0) will serve as the evening’s co-main event. Larson is riding the momentum of a three-fight winning streak, most recently stopping Jarrod L’Heureux in two rounds at RFA 25. Junior has yet to taste defeat and only one opponent has managed to make it out of the first round against the 32-year-old Brazilian.

Also on the card, Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger (5-1) will look to win her fourth consecutive bout when she takes on Kinberly Novaes (8-2) in a strawweight bout. Novaes is riding her own two-fight winning streak and holds a TKO win over UFC veteran Jessica Andrade.

RFA 29 will take place August 21 from Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The main card will air on AXS TV.

For more on RFA 29, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.