Last night, the World Series of Fighting hit NBC Sports Network with their inaugural event. K1 star Ray Sefo pulled out all the stops to make the promotion’s debut a must see for MMA fans. To drive interest Sefo brought in well known free agents like Andrei Arlovski, Anthony Johnson, and Miguel Torres. All three are former UFC fighters now making the most of being out of the MMA world’s premier league. On top of bringing in some other less notable UFC vets, Sefo managed to snap the MMA debut of the highly touted kickboxer Tyrone Spong.
Derpite the deliberate mismatches throughout the main card, WSOF 1 definitely delivered in action. Spong may have been making his MMA debut, but he clearly and easily outmatched journeyman Travis Bartlett. Same goes for Rumble and Arlovski. Both were pretty heavy favorites going into their respective fights and both delivered. When referee Herb Dean ignored Johnson’s pleas for an eye-poke break, Rumble loaded up on a single straight right to put Linderman to sleep. Same goes for Andrei. Cole tried to throw a weak combo on the former UFC Heavyweight champ but he countered with a big right that sent the controversial headliner to the mat.
Miguel Torres was the only feature fighter to disappoint. After getting blasted by Marlon Moraes early in the first, Torres looked hesitant. Completely unable to bring the fight to the ground where he held the advantage, Torres tried to point-strike his way to a decision. His efforts proved unsuccessful and Moraes pulled off the upset with a split decision.
If you don’t have time for the video playlist, Zombie Prophet has got you covered. As is his wont, he GIF’d up highlights from the event.
But first, the full card reults:
Main Card
Andrei Arlovski def. Devin Cole via TKO, Rnd 1 (2:37)
Anthony Johnson def. D.J. Linderman via KO, Rnd 1 (3:58)
Marlon Moraes def. Miguel Torres via Split Decision
Tyrone Spong def. Travis Bartlett via KO, Rnd 1 (3:15)Prelims
Tyson Steele def. Gregor Gracie via TKO, Rnd 1 (4:52)
Brian Cobb def. Ronys Torres via Split Decision
Steve Carl def. Ramico Blackmon via Submission, Rnd 1 (2:11)
Josh Burkman def. Gerald Harris via unanimous Decision
Gesias Cavalcante def. T.J. O’Brien via submission, Rnd 1 (1:03)
David Branch def. Dustin Jacoby via Unanimous Decision
Andrei Arlovski TKO’s Devin Cole
Anthony Johnson becomes the first ever to finish D.J. Linderman
Marlon Moraes grabs the split decision from Miguel Torres
Tyrone Spong beats the crap out of Travis Bartlett
Josh Burkman reminds us all that Gerald Harris’s cut from the UFC was not a travesty
J.Z Cavalcante twists T.J. O’Brien’s leg like a bendy straw
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