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One of the craziest brawls in MMA history happened earlier this year when Justin Gaethje defended his belt against Luis Palomino. At the World Series Of Fighting 23, Justin Gaethje will again be defending the gold against Luis Palomino in the main event. Also, middleweight champion David Branch faces Teddy Holder to crown the first WSOF Light Heavyweight Champion and “Phoenix Jones†makes his WSOF return.
Main Card
Main Event
WSOF Lightweight Title Fight
Justin “The Highlight†Gaethje (14-0-0) (Champion) vs. Luis “The Baboon†Palomino (23-10-0)
Gaethje has already defended the gold once before against Palomino, defeating him in a wild bout at the WSOF 19. Gaethje had won two bout previously in the WSOF, most notably defeating UFC veteran Lewis Gonzalez at the WSOF 12. Gaethje has already defended his championship three times, previously defeating Melvin Guillard and Nick Newell as well. Palomino had also previously challenged for the Championship Fighting Alliance Lightweight Title, but he failed to win that title as well. The first bout was easily one of the best bouts of 2015, Gaethje will again defeat Palomino be TKO to keep his belt in a bout that should mirror the original.
Co-Main Event
WSOF Light Heavyweight Title Tournament Finals
David Branch (16-3-0) vs. Teddy Holder (9-1-0)
Branch advanced to the finals of the tournament after defeating Jesse McElligott by submission at the WSOF 20. Holder positioned himself into the tournament finals after defeating UFC veteran Thiago Silva at the WSOF 20. Branch is also the current WSOF Middleweight Champion and he has already defended that belt once before. Holder does enter the fight on an eight fight winning streak, which also includes a win over UFC veteran Sean Salmon. Holder pulled a shocking upset when he defeated Thiago Silva to get to the finals, but Branch is a different fighter altogether and he submits Holder to become a dual champion.
WSOF Bantamweight Division Fight
Tito Jones (11-7-0) vs. “Lucky†Timur Valiev (9-1-0)
Jones will be making his WSOF debut in this fight and he will be returning to action after a sixteen month layoff. Valiev is currently undefeated in the WSOF, last defeating former Bellator MMA Bantamweight Champion Ed West at the WSOF 19. Jones is a last second replacement fighter who is going to get quickly dropped and finished by Valiev in the first.
WSOF Welterweight Division Fight
Ben “Phoenix Jones†Fodor (5-1-1) vs. Roberto Yong (2-2-0)
Fodor will be looking to rebound from his first professional MMA defeat, which came to Emmanuel Walo at the WSOF 20. Yong will be making his WSOF debut on a two fight losing streak and he has not earned a win in nearly a year. Yong is being brought in by the WSOF to be beat up by Fodor, who quickly submits Yong in the first round.
WSOF Lightweight Title Top Contenders Tournament Qualifying Fight
LaRue “The Cannibal†Burley (6-0-0) vs. Brian Foster (22-7-0)
Burley will be making his WSOF debut in this fight and he is a longtime veteran of the Bellator MMA promotion. Foster is a UFC veteran who is currently winless in WSOF competition, having dropped about to Jake Shields at the WSOF 17. Burley is an amazing wrestler and he will grind out a decision victory to advance in the tournament over Foster.
Preliminary Card
Vagab Vagabov over Brian Grinnell
Clifford Starks over Krasimir Mladenov
Estevan Payan over Kamuela Kirk
Danny Davis Jr. over Matthew Frincu
David Nuzzo over Andres Ponce
Randy Steinke over Joey Miolla
Benny Madrid over Jeff Fletcher
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