Why LFS Buckeye Fight Night Is a Must-Watch Event: Championship Stakes, Live Atmosphere and How to Tune In

Columbus fight fans have a compelling reason to circle Saturday, October 24, 2026. Legends Fight Series brings Buckeye Fight Night to KEMBA Live!, combining a vacant professional championship, an intriguing rematch and opportunities for developing fighters to make their mark.

With 15 bouts currently announced, the card offers plenty to follow before the main event arrives. Fans can experience the action inside the venue or watch live through Combat Sports Now.

A Championship Main Event With Real Stakes

Perry Stargel and Kegan Gennrich will compete for the vacant LFS Professional Welterweight Title. Neither fighter enters as the reigning LFS welterweight champion.

Stargel brings an 11–9 record and the opportunity to claim championship gold in his home state. Gennrich, listed at 13–5, brings the experience of a former LFA lightweight champion. Their scheduled five-round meeting will establish a new champion in the LFS welterweight division.

Gennrich’s previous title-winning performance against JaCobi Jones ended with a fifth-round arm-triangle submission. Stargel’s record includes six knockout or technical-knockout victories. That combination creates an appealing question: will Stargel find a decisive striking opportunity, or can Gennrich turn his championship experience into another belt?

Reasons to Arrive Before the Main Event

The supporting card has its own stories worth following. Cory Dulaney meets Jimmy Sandlin in a professional lightweight matchup, while Brody Rutledge and Jacob Ross square off at amateur light heavyweight.

Other announced pairings include Josh Hoschar vs. Caleb Garner, Marc Izzi vs. Brandon Pietroytys and Peyton Woosley vs. Austin Grundy. Established competitors share the event with athletes still building their amateur careers.

Frank Lasota vs. Colton Elser brings unfinished business. Elser won their previous meeting by split decision at Ohio Combat League 37. A close first result gives Lasota a clear reason to pursue a different outcome and Elser an opportunity to reinforce his earlier success.

That variety is part of regional MMA’s appeal. Fans can follow a championship pursuit and witness an early career milestone on the same evening.

Why Attend in Person?

Live MMA offers a shared experience that a scoreline cannot capture. The walkouts, the anticipation before the opening bell and the crowd’s reaction to a sudden reversal all become part of the night.

Being there also gives supporters a direct connection to the athletes. For a developing fighter, hearing friends, teammates and local fans respond can make an important career moment feel even bigger. For spectators, following someone from an early appearance to a future title opportunity creates a reason to keep coming back.

Buckeye Fight Night is an indoor, all-ages event. Arriving when doors open gives fans time to enter, get situated and catch the opening bouts.

Event detailInformationDateSaturday, October 24, 2026VenueKEMBA Live!Address405 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215Doors open6 p.m. ETFirst fight7 p.m. ET

The official AXS listing confirms the location and times.

Where to Buy Tickets

Purchase admission through the official AXS event page:

Buy Buckeye Fight Night tickets here

Select “Get Tickets” to view available options and current checkout prices. The listing also provides an accessible-seating option. Use the live listing for current availability and pricing.

How to Sign Up and Watch From Home

Fans unable to travel to Columbus can purchase the official broadcast through Combat Sports Now. The event page currently lists the live pay-per-view at $34.99, with a 7 p.m. ET start.

Purchase the Buckeye Fight Night live stream here

Select “Buy Live PPV,” follow the account and checkout prompts, and use that account to access the broadcast. The purchase also includes an on-demand replay once posted; the replay-access period is shown at checkout. combatsportsnow.com

Combat Sports Now supports web browsers and apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, Apple TV and Roku. Purchase through the website, then sign in to the app with the same account. Checking your setup before fight time will help you be ready for the opening bell.

View supported devices and setup instructions. Combat Sports Now

Why This Is a Can’t-Miss Card for Regional MMA Fans

The strongest selling point is the combination of meaningful stakes and different stages of athletic development. The headliners are pursuing championship recognition. The rematch participants have a previous result to revisit. Newer competitors are working toward victories that could become the foundation of longer careers.

Watching live means discovering those outcomes as they happen. A late submission, a close decision or a breakthrough performance carries a different impact when the result is still unknown.

There is also value in supporting the regional stage itself. These events give fighters opportunities to compete, gain experience and build a following. Buying a ticket or the official broadcast helps sustain the platform where those careers develop.

No card can promise a particular finish, but Buckeye Fight Night offers clear reasons to care about the competition from the opening bout through the championship main event.

Conclusion

LFS Buckeye Fight Night gives fans two ways to follow a consequential evening of regional MMA: join the crowd at KEMBA Live! or purchase the official Combat Sports Now broadcast.

The vacant welterweight championship supplies the headline attraction, while the supporting card adds a rematch, experienced professionals and developing talent. Whether the goal is to support a local fighter, discover someone new or watch a championship decided, October 24 deserves a place on the calendar.

Doors open at 6 p.m. ET. The fights begin at 7 p.m. ET. Secure your ticket or streaming access and be ready for the opening bell.

Information checked October 14, 2026. Card and pricing are subject to change.