An atomweight showdown between undefeated prospect Paulina “Firefox” Granados and fellow Texan Tessa Simpson has been added to Legacy Fighting Championship 23 on September 13th in San Antonio, Texas. The promotion officially announced the 105-pound matchup earlier this week.

Granados made a successful debut for Legacy FC in late May with a slick first-round submission of Maria Lopez at Legacy FC 20. Simpson fought three times in 2009 and earned quick stoppage wins in each of her first two bouts. She makes her return to the cage for the first time in four years.

Granados (2-0-0) remains one of the top young fighters in the women’s atomweight division. During a 4-0 run as an amateur, the 25-year-old totalled key victories over current Tuff-N-Uff champion Jordan McDonald and Stephanie “The Cyclone” Alba (twice). The second win over Alba earned Granados the 110-pound Cage Combat women’s title. Granados turned pro in March with a Unanimous Decision victory over Sarah “The Midget” Lagerstrom and she needed just 46 seconds to submit Lopez with an armbar at Legacy FC 20. The impressive win was Granados’s first submission victory to date.

Simpson (2-1-0) began training at age 17 in Guam and later relocated to Texas, where she had her first fight at Shark Fights 3 in March 2009. After submitting opponent Angelita Davis with a triangle choke in 48 seconds, Simpson returned to action four months later and knocked out Hayley “The Elf” Cypert in less than two minutes. On August 8, 2009, Simpson suffered her first loss at the hands of a much larger Anita “El Tigre” Rodriguez, who often competes at bantamweight. Simpson has not fought since the loss and she now looks for a big win when she makes her return in September.

Legacy Fighting Championship 23 is set to take place on September 13th at Cowboys Dancehall in San Antonio, Texas.

(Photo Credit: Lori Rodriguez)