On the regional circuit, there aren't many promotions that carry more weight than LFA.
Canadian fighter Teshay Gouthro (3-0) steps onto the LFA platform for the first time on Friday evening, facing American contender Justin Wetzell (5-1) in a 140-pound catchweight matchup at LFA 93, taking place in Park City, Kansas.
At 25, Gouthro says he's eager to prove himself on the largest platform he's ever fought on, noting that he performs best when the pressure is highest.
"I thrive when everyone's watching. That's what I enjoy about fighting—I want to get out there and demonstrate everything I've got. This is one of the most prominent platforms available on UFC Fight Pass, and I haven't experienced that level before," said Gouthro in conversation with MMA Empire.
"For me, when nerves kick in, I tend to rise to the occasion. The tougher the matchup and the larger the audience, the more easily I slip into my flow state. I'm just glad to be in the cage."
Wetzell, 28, returns to the LFA for a second appearance after delivering a lightning-fast 27-second knockout over Michael Aquila at LFA 79.
He's counting on a powerful, commanding showing this Friday night to secure the UFC contract he's been working toward.
"LFA is the premier pathway to the UFC. I don't know the exact statistics anymore, but a staggering number of UFC fighters launched their careers from the RFA, Legacy, and LFA organizations," said Wetzell in an interview with MMA Empire.
"If I can put on a standout performance, compete at my best, and execute the game plan I know I'm capable of, I'm hoping to bypass the Contender Series entirely and be prepared for a short-notice UFC call. I'm ready."
Gouthro ready for the step up
Beyond being the highest-profile event of his career, Gouthro is bracing for the most difficult challenge he's faced: Wetzell.
He's welcomed the chance to measure himself against a fighter of Wetzell's caliber, confident that he's prepared for the jump in quality.
"This is a bout I needed to take mentally. I feel incredibly solid heading into this matchup, and I want to be tested now," said Gouthro.
"Looking at my record, I've faced two undefeated fighters with 0-0 marks and one at 1-0. They were all tough competitors who came to fight, but his record sits at 5-1, so it's going to be rewarding to hand him another loss. I hope LFA sees what I can do and brings me back."
Gouthro shares the LFA 93 card with his training partner, Aaron Jeffery, who will headline the event against Andre Petroski.
It's the first time Gouthro has fought on the same card as Jeffery, and he's embraced the team atmosphere.
"When I heard we'd be on the same card as Aaron, I got really pumped because I'm traveling down there with the team now," said Gouthro.
"We're both competing, so once I finish my guy, my energy's going to be through the roof. Aaron will draw off my victory, and I'll feed off the LFA environment."
Both Gouthro and Jeffery train at Niagara Top Team, a camp that has been enjoying a hot streak lately.
Though they're a smaller outfit, Gouthro credits their achievements to relentless effort and mutual inspiration.
"We're all driven. We're a tight-knit team and we haven't gained widespread recognition, but we're putting in the work. All the success comes from that effort," said Gouthro.
"Our coaches push us to grind daily. We're training smart, training hard, and everything is starting to click. We don't need massive camps to win. We're just doing what needs to be done, and the results are proving it."
Wetzell growing following move to Elevation
Four years back, Wetzell took a step that changed the trajectory of his career by joining Elevation Fight Team, a camp home to elite talents such as Cory Sandhagen, Justin Gaethje, and Drew Dober.
Since making that transition, Wetzell has noticed his skills advance rapidly—and that momentum shows no signs of slowing down.
"Elevation completely transformed my skill set," Wetzell explained. "Back home, I had maybe two or three guys to train with, but out here I'm surrounded by people who share the exact same dream. Learning from them and pushing alongside them gives me real confidence that I'll eventually reach where they're at."
"Watching my teammates land wins in the UFC on the biggest stages is incredibly motivating. It pushes me harder than ever to chase that same goal."
Despite spending limited time in the cage during his most recent outing, Wetzell believes it perfectly demonstrated just how far his abilities have progressed since arriving at Elevation.
"If you compare some of my older bouts to that fight—even though it only went 30 seconds—you can see a massive shift in how I approach the sport," Wetzell noted.
"I used to lean heavily on wrestling, looking to drag opponents to the mat. But being here has pushed me to sharpen every dimension of my game, especially footwork and striking. In that last fight, I switched stances frequently, creating angles through movement. That movement was what set up the knockout—it wasn't just a lucky punch finding its mark."
Wetzell was supposed to take the cage two weeks prior at LFA 92, but his opponent Jordan Mapa had to withdraw from the bout at the final moment.
The Canadian fighter acknowledged that landing bouts on the regional circuit has been especially challenging since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, and he's appreciative of booking this fight so quickly following the LFA 92 cancellation.
"Honestly, words can barely capture how grateful I am. I was just sitting in my garage watching old fights, talking to myself, basically begging the heavens for another shot," Wetzell shared.
"I'm 28 years old, and I'm not getting younger. In this business, you have to grab these opportunities while you're in your twenties and keep staying active if you want to reach the top."
Gouthro's Shoutouts
"I want to thank my entire coaching staff (Lyndon Whitlock, Lucas Bahdi, Chris Prickett, Matt DiMarcantonio), strength and conditioning coach Zac Spinosa at Forge Fitness, nutritionist Matt Speciale at Bearded Bites, and the whole crew at Niagara Top Team and Parabellum for providing me with all the quality training." Connect with Gouthro on social media: INSTAGRAM
Wetzell's Shoutouts
"I'd like to thank my management company Dodge Sports for keeping me busy and helping secure this matchup, Elevation Fight Team, Easton Training Centre, High Altitude Martial Arts, and all my fellow teammates." Follow Wetzell on social media: FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM
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