Amateur Fighter of the Month: November

.James Lledo

Welterweight

Age: 24

Fighting out of: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

Record: 8-1-0

 

As the leaves turned and temperatures dipped, one of amateur MMA’s hottest prospects only got warmer. James Lledo, a 24-year-old welterweight fighting out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, racked up two big wins in back-to-back months. First defending his 170 title at CFFC: NextGen 2 in October, then toppling a fellow undefeated contender in November at CFFC 148. 

 

James “Las Vegas” Lledo is a pressure grappler who showcases the style that’s dominating in MMA right now. The Pittsburgh native is on a four-fight win streak. He’s taken the “0” of four undefeated fighters in a row. Two  he beat by finish, and two by decision. Lledo’s strengths lie in his power takedowns, suffocating top control, and swift transitions.

 

In his first bout, Lledo faced one of my favorite amateurs—and September’s Amateur Fighter of the Month—Sean Clabough. A confident, gritty finisher known for slipping out of danger and turning the tide in chaotic exchanges. Lledo wasted no time setting the tone, landing a sharp overhand right that flowed perfectly into a powerful double-leg takedown. It was a smart, well-executed game plan against a fighter who typically starts fast and punishes early mistakes.

 

In Round two, Lledo shot on a risky takedown that nearly cost him. As Clabough locked in a tight guillotine attempt, Lledo muscled through and worked his way to a top position. Clabough remained dangerous off his back—constantly fishing for triangles. Still, Lledo stayed one step ahead, eventually advancing to full mount before the end of the round.

 

Round 3 brought more of the same relentless pace. What stood out most, though, was Lledo’s control and composure after securing the takedown. Up against the cage, he trapped Clabough’s legs in a Dagestani-style cuff, smothering him with constant pressure. If Lledo keeps refining this brand of suffocating grappling at the amateur level, it’s easy to imagine how oppressive his style could become as his career progresses.

 

Just over a month later, Lledo returned for his second bout. This time, against a much stiffer challenge in Trey Frazier. A seasoned RDC amateur with high-level kickboxing experience, finishing ability both on the feet and the mat. Also, a nine-fight streak of stoppages across MMA and kickboxing.

 

From the opening bell, Lledo’s approach remained consistent: get the fight to the ground early. Frazier offered far more resistance than Clabough. Within 30 seconds, Lledo timed an inside trip perfectly and stepped straight into mount. Frazier, a skilled grappler himself, managed to scramble free and bring the fight back to striking range—his comfort zone.

 

After showcasing dominant grappling through three and a half rounds between his first two outings, this was the first real glimpse of Las Vegas Lledo’s striking. Pressured early by the longer, more polished striker, Lledo responded with a pair of tight counter hooks before shooting again, bringing the fight to the mat and immediately threatening with a guillotine. From there, the momentum was all his. Frazier managed one final stand-up before Lledo tripped him back down, sliding seamlessly into mount and unleashing heavy ground-and-pound to close a clear first round.

 

Lledo emphatically opened Round two, cracking Frazier with a flush straight right that set up a clean judo trip. He landed in the crucifix position and completely neutralized Frazier from top control—a sequence that was pure artistry. It was the kind of dominance nobody had ever imposed on Frazier before, and Lledo rode that momentum to another commanding 10-9 frame, moving up 20-18 on the scorecards.

 

Round three brought some adversity, as an elbow cut Lledo from the bottom position, but it was too little, too late. He maintained top control for most of the round, smothering Frazier’s attempts to stand and sealing a unanimous decision victory in a composed, disciplined performance that showcased his evolving, suffocating style.

 

It’s clear that James Lledo has made major adjustments since his first loss back in August 2024. He’s now dictating fights with a grueling pace, explosive athleticism, and relentless takedowns. His grappling remains his biggest weapon—and in most matchups, it’s still the path of least resistance. That said, I’m interested to see how his boxing continues to evolve. He flashes glimpses of promise on the feet, though most of his striking serves to set up his entries. If Lledo develops a stronger feel for his hands, he’s going to become an even tougher problem—and an even bigger target—for anyone standing across from him.

 

Lledo’s first two opponents were both top amateur prospects—and by the final horn, each looked completely drained, defeated, and frustrated. James “Las Vegas” Lledo doesn’t even take a seat between rounds; he’s out there breaking undefeated streaks and taking tough fights just months apart under the CFFC banner. At only 24 years old, I expect a rapid rise through the ranks from this relentless welterweight. Right now, Lledo might already be among the top ten amateur prospects in the world—and if you’re not watching him yet, you should be.