After Contender Series setback, Macksom Lee hopes to make statement at LFA 237

Macksom Lee is looking to bounce back from his first professional defeat when he faces Carlos Tardio in the main event of LFA 237 on July 24 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Lee suffered a loss to Hecher Sosa on Dana White's Contender Series in September, a setback he attributes partly to a shoulder ligament tear sustained just 15 days before the bout that left him unable to move his arm for nearly four days.

The Brazilian fighter carries a unique backstory shaped by loss and mentorship. Son of Markine Santos, a Brazilian Sanda champion, Lee literally grew up in his father's gym after his parents separated when he was five years old. He excelled in Sanda, winning the Brazilian national title twice before transitioning to MMA with his father's blessing. That dream was cut short when his father was struck by lightning on a beach in Paraná while Lee was just 17—an event that claimed not only a father but Lee's earliest MMA mentor.

Following the tragedy, Vale Tudo fighter Roberto "Facada" Neves, who had been his father's teammate and close friend, took Lee under his wing. Neves has overseen Lee's recent training camp in the USA, focusing on opponent-specific preparation and technique refinement. Speaking to Sherdog.com, Lee emphasized the impact of his improved training environment: "The best choice I made was to come to the USA to do a camp coordinated by master Roberto 'Facada' Neves. It's the first time I've done a camp totally focused on me with sparring emulating my opponent's style."

Lee is confident heading into his matchup with Tardio (12-2), declaring his intention to knock out the Bolivian fighter in the first round. Without the nagging shoulder injury that hampered his Contender Series performance, Lee believes he can finally showcase his full skill set—particularly his exceptional takedown defense, a cornerstone of his fighting identity. Neves shares his protégé's optimism, confident that Lee will soon demonstrate the world-class potential his late father would have witnessed.