By Nolan King

In MMA, sincere hype surrounding a fight usually only occurs at the highest level—whether it be the UFC, Bellator, or (occasionally) another major promotion. 

Hype is usually a reflection of two factors: excitement and magnitude.

Last month’s LFA 40 card in Dallas, Texas, featured Southwest regional talent, but the headliner generated a special kind of buzz. To hardcore fans, the evening’s main event radiated the kind of hype that comes with a UFC fight.

Kevin Aguilar | FW | 29 y/o | 14-1 | Calgary, Alberta

Neither Kevin Aguilar nor Thanh Le had been capable of a boring fight and both were believed by many to be overdue for a UFC deal.

As if the stakes weren’t high enough, the clash between the two flashy knockout artists would unify the LFA Featherweight Championship.

Healing up from injury, Aguilar had been on the shelf for almost 10 months prior to the fight. In his absence, the Ultimate Fighter veteran Le shook the remanence of a contract snub on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series by knocking out Bobby Moffett—claiming the interim title in the process.

Scouts and fight fans alike weren’t exactly sure what to expect out of Aguilar. 

Would he be rusty from the layoff?

Would a former TUF and Contender Series veteran be too much for him?

Would he display the skills to earn a shot at the next level? 

All of the questions were answered. 

Despite being the betting underdog, it took Aguilar just three minutes to knock out Le. The Winnsboro, Texas, native stunned Le before dropping him and landing a brutal follow up shot that Dan Henderson would be proud of. 

Now that's how you defend a title @kevinAguilarAOD ! ?

That's all from #AXSTV400, but we will see you again next week! #LFA40 @LFAfighting pic.twitter.com/6EGnHAf23S

— AXS TV Fights (@AXSTVFights) May 26, 2018

Aguilar’s win was one for the highlight reel—but it’s really just the cherry on top of a great resume when looking at his record as a whole. He hasn’t only beaten everyone in his path—he’s done it in a destructive fashion.

The UFC hopeful has won 13 of 14 professional bouts dating back to his pro debut in late 2010. Besides Le, “The Angel of Death” has finished a handful of other MMA notables including Damon Jackson, Rey Trujillo, and Alex Black.

His lone loss as a professional came at the hands of UFC and WEC veteran Leonard Garcia back in mid-2013. 

The 29-year-old fighter is a top prospect and a crafty veteran all in one. His slicing punches, razor-sharp elbows, and signature follow-up hammerfists make him a nightmare of a fight for even the most talented striker. 

While his striking is clearly his bread and butter, Aguilar’s ground game isn’t half bad either. His wrestling, both offensively and defensively, has been solid thus far—although we haven’t seen an excess of it.

The UFC’s featherweight division is one of the promotion’s most exciting and most stacked weight classes—that’s no secret. However, regardless of whether or not there are any “openings” on the 145-pound roster, Aguilar has forced the UFC’s hand. 

They have to sign him. 

Right?