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Despite being in direct competition with Ronda Rousey and the UFC, the World Series Of Fighting marches on with a big event this Saturday Night. The event will be headlined by a pair of title bouts as Rousimar Palhares defends his welterweight title and Marlon Moraes defends the bantamweight title. Also, Mike Kyle faces Clifford Starks and the brother of UFC veteran Khabib Nurmagomedov makes his WSOF debut.
Main Card
Main Event
WSOF Welterweight Title Fight
Rousimar “Toquinho†Palhares (17-6-0) (Champion) vs. Jake Shields (31-7-1-1NC)
Palhares will be making the second defense of his championship, as he last defended it against Jon Fitch at the WSOF 16. Shields is currently undefeated in WSOF competition, most notably defeating WSOF Canada Welterweight Champion Ryan Ford. Palhares has seen his last six fights end within the opening round, the last time Palhares left the first round was four years ago at UFC 134. Shields has captured some gold in his career already as he is a former Elite XC Middleweight Champion and Strikeforce Middleweight Champion. Shields strength is taking the fight to the ground, which is where Palhares will capitalize to leg lock Shields in the first to keep his belt.
Co-Main Event
WSOF Bantamweight Title Fight
Marlon Moraes (14-4-1) vs. Sheymon Moraes (7-0-0)
Marlon will be making the second defense of his championship, last defending it against Josh Hill at the WSOF 18. Sheymon has already competed once under the WSOF banner, having defeated Gabriel Solorio at the WSOF 16. Marlon will be competing for the eighth time under the WSOF, which makes him the most active fighter in the promotions short history. Sheymon has primarily competed in Brazil, where he defeated UFC veteran Pedro Nobre at Bitetti Combat 12. Marlon should be challenging TJ Dillashaw for the UFC Bantamweight Title because he is that talented, Marlon storm past Sheymon with his superior striking game to get a late finish and keep his title.
WSOF Light Heavyweight Division Fight
Mike “MAK†Kyle (21-12-1-2NC) vs. Clifford “Big Cat†Starks (11-2-0)
Kyle is currently winless in WSOF competition, having dropped bouts to Anthony Johnson and Andrei Arlovski. Starks is currently undefeated under the WSOF banner, with his win coming over Jake Heun at the WSOF 19. Kyle’s chin is not what it once was a few years ago, late replacement Starks gets a quick TKO finish in this one.
WSOF Welterweight Division Fight
Jorge Moreno (4-0-0) vs. Abubakar Nurmagomedov (9-1-0)
Moreno will be making his WSOF debut in this fight and he is a veteran of the Combat Games MMA promotion. Nurmagomedov will also be making his WSOF debut in this fight and he is the brother of UFC veteran Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov is on the verge of becoming a breakout star in MMA, Nurmagomedov gets a quick TKO finish in this one.
WSOF Lightweight Division Fight
Islam Mamedov (11-1-0) vs. Jimmy Spicuzza (6-2-0)
Mamedov is currently undefeated under the WSOF banner, having defeated Leon Davis by TKO at the WSOF 20. Spicuzza has won three of four fights in WSOF competition, most notably defeating Benny Madrid at the WSOF 19. These are two fighters who are excellent on the ground, Mamedov gets the second round submission win here.
Preliminary Card
Jake Heun over Davin Clark
Carlos Garcia over Donovan Frelow
Jimmy Jones over Marco Simmons
Cody Hendricks over Julio Hinojosa
Gil Guardado over Pete Martin
