By Greg James | [email protected] 

The Legacy Fighting Alliance invaded the Maverik Center on Sept. 6. The event became a coming out party for one local athlete.

“I was a big fan and loved watching the fights,” former Kearns High alumni Dominico Salas said. “I started going to open mats and trying it out. A little more than three years ago I tried out for a fight team and made it. I lost over 100 lbs. and went 6-0 as an amateur.”

Salas’ pro debut on the LFA 75 card is one he will remember. His Welterweight bout against Trever Bradshaw was one of four preliminary bouts held in preparation for the main event. 

Bradshaw lashed out against Salas in the first round. Salas seemed to be under manned until 30 seconds remained in the round. He landed an unexpected right hand to Bradshaw’s jaw that staggered him. He never recovered and 40 seconds into round two Salas unleashed a barrage of punches before the referee stepped in and stopped the fight. Salas had earned his first pro victory.

“I am 1-0 as a pro. It was a great back and forth fight,” Salas said.

Salas grew up in Glendale (near West Valley) a short distance from the Maverik Center. He attended Kearns High School with his graduating class in 2006. MMA has helped him grow as a person.

“I have learned that we are capable of achieving our dreams and goals. We just have to start and be consistent. Things will work out. MMA has taught me to defend myself and now I teach kids how to defend themselves too,” Salas said.

He coaches children at The Pit SLC and trains four to five days a week. 

Mixed Martial Arts is a full-contact combat sport that allows striking and grappling. The UFC is the most popular promotion arm of the sport, the LFA is considered a developmental organization. They claim to have launched the careers of more than 160 UFC fighters.

Salas and Bradshaw both indicated how they loved the challenge of the sport. 

“I train in all of it so I can be a well-rounded fighter,” Salas said.

Bradshaw has a 3-5 pro record. “I always enjoyed fighting and decided to make a career out of it,” he said. “I train everyday usually.”

The fight card was the second time the LFA had held a promotion in Salt Lake City.

LFA took over the Titan Fighting Alliance in 2017 as a promotion arm for mixed martial arts. Their matches were televised on the AXS TV network, but after the Maverik Center event they severed the mutual contract. This leaves the LFA without a television partner. 

“There are irons in the fire,” LFA president Ed Soares said. “This is not the last of the LFA, just the last event televised on AXS.”

UFC is televised on ESPN and Fox.