The World Series of Fighting lightweight title was on the line tonight as Justin Gaethje was pitted against Peruvian knockout artist Luis Palomino. Also on the card was the opening fight of WSOF’s light heavyweight tournament featuring a fight between Thiago Silva and Teddy Holder, who stepped in on late notice to replace Matt Hamill who had taken ill and was forced to withdraw on fight night.
Justin Gaethje defeats Luis Palomino via TKO RD 3 3:57
Coming into this one Justin Gaethje was a huge favorite, but he had to survive some rough moments in the opening two stanzas. This fight was back and forth throughout, with both fighters being hurt on numerous occasions. While there was little difference on the feet early, Gaethje’s ability to take the fight to the floor at will as well as his relentless leg kick attack likely won him the first two rounds.
By the 3rd round Palomino was exhausted and Gaethje really put the pressure on landing clean hard strikes at will and landing vicious leg kicks until Palomino was unable to stand up anymore. Gaethje followed the injured Palomino to the canvas and followed up with some great ground and pound to get the referee stoppage.
Between this fight and the fight between Tokoro and Davis at Bellator last night the fans have been spoiled for great action this weekend.
Check out Zombie Prophet’s GIF of the finish.
Teddy Holder defeats Thiago Silva via TKO RD 1 2:00
Teddy Holder entered this fight as a huge underdog as a replacement for Matt Hamill. Holder showed no fear, relentlessly attacking the far more experienced Thiago Silva. The fight started with Thiago landing some good kicks and rocking Holder briefly but it was this early success that lead to Silva’s overconfidence and eventual reckless pursuit of the finish, which Holder countered and dropped Silva before finishing him with ground and pound.
As always, ZP provides the GIF of the finish.
Timur Valiev defeats Ed West via TKO RD 1 1:40 .
This one was a matchup of veteran vs. prospect and as often seems to be the case, the prospect came out on top. As I mentioned in my preview of this fight ,West seemed to be in the down curve of his career entering this fight with just 1 win in his last 5 whereas Valiev seemed to be entering his prime, riding 8 straight victories. Once the fight got started there was no surprises, Valiev outstruck West throughout before finishing him with his vicious power.
Check out ZP’s vine of the finish:
Clifford Starks defeats Jake Heun via submission (arm triangle choke) at RD 2 4:11
This was a fight made out of necessity rather than by choice. After Matt Hamill was removed from the card at late notice, Teddy Holder, Jake Heun’s original opponent was moved to the co-main event to fight Thiago Silva, which left Heun without an opponent. Luckily, UFC vet Clifford Starks was moved from his preliminary card bout against Eddie Arizmendi to face Heun in the opening bout of the main card. Both Heun and Starks spent quite a lot of time trying to feel out their opponent on the feet, but the bout didn’t really come into action until Stark displayed his wrestling advantage, using it to win the first round. It was more of the same in the second with Stark once more taking it to the ground before locking in an arm triangle for the finish.
Here’s the finish courtesy of Zombie Prophet.
Preliminary Card Results
Benny Madrid defeats Jimmy Spicuzza via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27).
Joe Gigliotti defeats Brendan Tierney via TKO at 4:45 of R3.
Andres Ponce defeats Juan Archuleta via sub (triangle) 0:53 of R2.
Dan Huber defeats Israel Aquino via TKO at 3:03 of R1.
Matthew Frincu defeats Eric Regan via KO (kick) 0:14 of R2.
Joe Madrid defeats Erik Villalobos via UD 30-27 X3.