LFA 10 headliner Lucas Rota not stressed about fighting Ian Heinisch in his home state of Colorado

For some fighters, the prospect of taking a bout in a city at high altitude is a daunting prospect. Plenty of fighters have faltered over the years by coming in unprepared for what it does to their cardio.

Lucas Rota (12-6) has that task ahead of him on Friday in the the LFA 10 main event against Ian Heinish (6-0), and he has the added disadvantage of having to fight Heinish in his backyard. But Rota said the altitude and home-cage advantage for his opponent won’t matter to him.

“I’ve fought in Colorado before, in 2013,” Rota told MMAjunkie. “I arrived on weigh-in day.”

But this time, Rota said he’ll be a little bit better about the adaptation process. And regardless of what his opponent wants to do in front of his home fans, he’ll be ready.

“My goal is adapt to the weather and time-zone changes within three days for this next fight.

“Ian is very tough. He’s undefeated. We’ve studied him for a long time. This fight should have already happened. We’re putting emphasis on what I do best, which is striking. But if it goes to the ground, we’re working on my jiu-jitsu, too. And I might even get a takedown of my own. I train everything. I’m an MMA fighter. I’m a complete fighter today. Wherever the fight goes, I’ll be ready.”

LFA 10 takes place Friday at Massari Arena in Pueblo, Colo., near Denver. The main card, including the Rota-Heinisch headliner airs on AXS TV.

Brazil’s Rota will be fighting under the LFA banner for the first time, though he does have a fight on his resume for RFA in 2013. (RFA and Legacy FC merged to form LFA at the beginning of this year.)

Overall, Rota has won eight of his past nine fights, and the only setback was a doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to current UFC fighter Gerald Meerschaert at Titan FC 34 in 2015. A high-profile win on Friday could have some eyes on him from the promotion at the highest level, and that’s what Rota wants.

“My focus is to go as far as I can,” Rota said. “I want to fight in the UFC. That’s what I’m working for. I think that a good victory will put me in a great position within LFA. I want to keep putting in the work and fighting so I can be a world champion.”

For more on LFA 10, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.