Javier Cepeda heads into LFA 163 a more dangerous fighter than ever

Javier Cepeda capped off 2022 with his third straight win to start his career. The flyweight standout then spent the first half of 2023 trying to get back into the MMA cage, but instead had to enter the boxing ring to get a fight.

Following his April boxing match, Cepeda is finally about to return to MMA. He’s chomping at the bit to get back to action.

“I was trying to fight MMA, but the boxing match came up, so I took it. But after that, I straight focused on MMA,” Cepeda told MMAWeekly.com. “I got this fight for the LFA and I’ve been training really hard for it. I’ve been working in the gym, putting the hours in and getting ready for the big fight.”

When he does step back into the cage, he expects to be a more dangerous fighter than he was in December.

“I think I’ve grown a lot more as a fighter. I’m more a killer. I’m more dangerous,” said Cepeda.

“My last two fights ended in first-round knockouts. I’ve taken no damage. I think I’ve reached my peak and in my prime right now as a man. I think here on forward, it’s going to be more knockouts.”

Javier Cepeda faces Kevin Fernandez at LFA 163 in Bolton, Texas

For his first bout of 2023, Cepeda (3-0) faces Kevin Fernandez (5-1) in a main card flyweight bout at LFA 163 on Friday in Belton, Texas.

“Kevin, I feel like, is a good fighter and everything, but I think I’m tougher, stronger, faster. And I don’t think he has anything to offer me,” Cepeda said.

“I think he’s a good fighter and everything, but I feel like I’m just too strong for him. I think I can take the win home by just out-working him, being faster, stronger, and smarter.”

Now that he’s back to fighting, Cepeda is looking to finish out the year as active as possible and build his winning streak along the way.

“I would love to fight as much as I can, but for now, we’re just taking it one fight at a time,” said Cepeda.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen after this fight. I would like to fight as soon as possible if I’m healthy.”

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