Lightweight championship fight: Justin Gaethje (C) vs. Luis Palomino
The most anticipated rematch in WSOF history did not disappoint as Justin Gaethje and Luis Palomino put on quite a show in the first round of their lightweight title fight. Gaethje was rocked early by a big right hand, but recovered by slamming Palomino to the canvas twice in the round. The lightweight champion also caught Palomino with an uppercut that dropped Palomino to the canvas.
The second round was just as exciting as the challenger came out firing with combinations, but those combos didn’t last for long as Gaethje knocked Palomino to the canvas with yet another uppercut. After a brief clinch, Gaethje clipped the challenger with a series of knees and punches. The champ then landed a stiff right hook, but missed what would have been a devastating uppercut.
Palomino threw a big hook that Gauthje partially blocked and then the champ landed a HUGE right hook that dropped Palomino to the canvas. Gauthje pounced on the opportunity to Palomino away with a series of ground strikes that forced the referee to stop the contest in the second round.
Watch Justin Gaethje defend his title and remain undefeated here:
Light Heavyweight Championship: David Branch vs. Teddy Holder
David Branch became the first person in WSOF history to hold two championships at the same time and the first light heavyweight champion in company history by forcing Teddy Holder to submit via rear-naked choke in the first round.
Branch was aggressive early on as he took Holder down and forced his way into side control. Holder tried to spin out, but Branch stayed ahead of him. Branch was able to gain back control when Holder tried to grab Branch’s feet. Holder was then able to get onto his knees, but Branch quickly sunk in a deep rear-naked choke for the victory.
Watch the highlights of the fight here:
Timur Valiev vs. Tito Jones
After trading blows early in the contest, Tito Jones landed the first big shot of the match as he punched Timur Valiev right in the face. Valiev stumbled back and fell to the canvas, but immediately rebounded and taunted Jones. Towards the end of the first round, Valiev landed a stiff leg kick that hurt Jones.
Valiev started quickly in the second round as he instantly closed the distance, but just like in the first round, Valiev failed to land any combinations because Jones was selective about trading punches. Towards the end of the second round, Valiev put Jones on the canvas with a takedown and then landed a flurry of punches and elbows.
Jones tries to close the distance on Valiev early on in the third round, but he failed to do so. Valiev drilled Jones to the mat with a vicious takedown and pounded away at Jones for the final two minutes of the round.
Valiev was awarded the victory by unanimous decision. Watch highlights of the fight here.
Phoenix Jones vs. Roberto Yong
Roberto Yong’s World Series of Fighting debut was spoiled by Phoenix Jones as Yong was forced to tap out due to a leg scissor choke in the first round of their 160 pound catchweight fight. Yong landed some strong shots to the face of his opponent, but Jones was able to gather himself together and take Yong down to the mat. After transitioning from North-South to Yong’s side, Jones was able to lock in the submission for his first WSOF victory. Watch the highlights here.
Larue Burley vs. Brian Foster
It didn’t take long for Brian Foster to make an impact in the opening bout of the WSOF 23 main card. Foster and Larue Burley began trading punches early on in the first round, which suited Foster as he was able to knockout Burley with a big right hand just 34 seconds into the fight. You can watch the highlights here.
