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The World Series Of Fighting will be making promotional history on Friday Night when they hold their first ever one night tournament. The tournament will be featuring top fighters like Luis Palomino, Brian Foster, Mike Ricci, Jorge Patino and a host of others. Also, there will be a non-tournament lightweight division attraction that pits Jason High against Estevan Payan.
(Note: The four first round matches for the tournament will be taking place on the preliminary card, but they will be previewed here, because the tournament semi-final and finals, plus the bonus lightweight fight are the only main card fights.)
Main Card
Main Event
WSOF Lightweight Division Fight
“The Kansas City Bandit†Jason High (18-5-0) vs. Estevan “El Terrible†Payan (16-8-0-1NC)
High will be competing for the first time since his UFC release, which came after a loss to current UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov. Payan has won two of four fights since his UFC release, most notably defeating Roberto Young at Rage In The Cage 178. High will be returning to action after a seventeen month absence, which is the longest time in betwen fights throughout his MMA career. Payan did compete three times during his UFC tenure, unfortunately losing all three of those contests. High is a great wrestler and he is going to use that wrestling to ground Payan on route to a decision victory.
Preliminary Card
WSOF Lightweight Tournament Opening Round Fight
Luis “Baboon†Palomino (23-11-0) vs. Richard Patishnock (6-2-0)
Palomino is coming off of an exciting two fight series with WSOF Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje, he lost both of those fights. Patishnock will be returning to action after a near two year absence and he was one of the first two fighters (the other being Justin Gaethje) to fight for the vacant WSOF Lightweight Title. Patishnock has been out of action for a long time now and Palomino is one of the most dangerous fighters in the tournament, Palomino gets a first round knockout in this one.
WSOF Lightweight Tournament Opening Round Fight
Brian Foster (23-7-0) vs. Joao “The Brazilian Samurai†Zeferino (18-6-0)
Foster won the lone qualifying fight to enter the tournament, defeating LaRue Burley at the the WSOF 23. Zeferino is a UFC veteran and he will be making his WSOF debut in this fight, he will also be competing in North America for the first time since turning pro. Foster has shown to be susceptible to the submission throughout his pro career, which plays right into the Zeferino wheelhouse, Zeferino gets a late submission in the second round to advance.
WSOF Lightweight Tournament Opening Round Fight
Brian “The Bandit†Cobb (20-8-0) vs. Mike “The Martian†Ricci (10-4-0)
Cobb will be returning to action after a two-plus year absence, last competing against current WSOF Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje at the WSOF III. Ricci is a UFC veteran who is coming off of a two fight run in Titan FC, where he defeated both Jorge Gurgel and George Sotiropolous. Cobb’s strength is getting the fight to the ground, but Ricci will use his striking to keep Cobb at bay on route to a decision win.
WSOF Lightweight Tournament Opening Round Fight
Islam Mamedov (12-1-0) vs. Jorge “Macaco†Patino (38-15-2-1NC)
Mamedov is currently undefeated under the WSOF banner, defeating both Jimmy Spicuzza and Leon Davis respectively. Patino will enter the fight riding a three fight winning streak, which includes a win over Eric Reynolds at the WSOF 15. Patino is the most skilled fighter in the tournament as far as striking and the ground game goes, but he will get upset as Mamedov grounds him on route to a decision.
Preliminary Card (The Rest)
LaRue Burley over Joe Condon (Tournament Reserve Fight)
Benny Madrid over Ramil Mustapayev (Tournament Reserve Fight)
Erik Villalobos over Joseph Barajas
Roberto Young over Jimmy Scully
