The World Series of Fighting put on their first card of 2017, as WSOF 35 showcased a 3-fight main card, each with a world title on the line. The WSOF heavyweight strap remained with champion Blagoy Ivanov as he dusted Shawn Jordan in under 2 minutes of the opening round headliner. Andre Harrison used his striking, and not his wrestling, to dethrone Lance Palmer and become the new WSOF featherweight king. Bekbulat Magomedov showcased his superior grappling game with a dominant performance over Donavan Frelow to win the vacant bantamweight belt… and still, and new, and new!

Main Card:

Blagoy Ivanov def. Shawn Jordan by TKO at 1:43 of round 1: Heavyweight Title

Blagoy Ivanov wasted no time in retaining his WSOF heavyweight title. Ivanov cracked Jordan with a left hand that staggered his opponent, then the champion followed up with jab-cross combo that sent the challenger crashing to the canvas. Jordan never had a chance to recover as Ivanov mauled the American with savage strikes. The referee had no choice but to step in and rescue Jordan from any further punishment, and Blagoy Ivanov retained his title.

Check out Ivanov putting hands on Jordan:

Watch Blagoy Ivanov go beast mode to retain his WSOF heavyweight title:

Andre Harrison def. Lance Palmer by Unanimous Decision (49-46, 48-47 x2): Featherweight Title

Palmer and Harrison came out looking to throw leather, as early takedown attempts were non-existent. An inadvertent kick to the groin of Palmer halted the action momentarily, but the kickboxing bout with small gloves quickly resumed. Harrison took the center of the cage as Palmer played the outside, using his footwork to bounce in and out of range. Harrison floored Palmer with a right hand that he snuck in behind a jab, inside the last :30 of the round.

Watch Harrison help Palmer have a seat:

Palmer started the second stanza by launching body kicks to the liver of Harrison. Harrison would respond with a head kick that staggered the defending champion, and ultimately found top position for the remainder of the round.

Palmer had a much better third round as he used his footwork leap in with solo strikes, and then move back out of harms way. Harrison was content to take the center but slowed down a bit with his output. The challenger was able to successfully stuff each of Palmer’s shots in the round.

Look at this stiff right hand from Palmer:

The fourth frame saw Harrison explode in on a takedown, but Palmer popped right back up to his feet, before ever conceding the position. Another inadvertent groin strike from Harrison took place, but this one came with an official referee warning.

The last leg of the featherweight title fight saw Harrison get aggressive and clip Palmer with a right cross-left hook combo. Palmer started leaking all over the place, but was able to return to his feet. Palmer attempted a single leg in the last :30, but the damage had already been done… and new!

Watch Harrison hit Palmer a two-piece combo:

Bekbulat Magomedov def. Donavan Frelow by Unanimous Decision (50-45 x3): Bantamweight Title

The opening round saw Frelow drop Magomedov, but the Russian instantly recovered. Magomedov secured a takedown about halfway through the first, and refused to allow any seperation for the remainder of the round.

Peep this flying knee from Bekbulat Magomedov:

The second frame saw a technical striking bout, with both competitors showing respect for the other man’s striking abilities. Magomedov scooped up a powerful takedown with about 1:45 left in the round, and kept up with the pressure.

Watch Magomedov take Frelow for a ride:

The third round witnessed more of the same type of technical striking bout, until Magomedov scored another takedown mid way through. Frelow was able to scramble back to his feet, but was ultimately put back down on the ground.

Magomedov opened up the fourth frame by instantly obtaining the takedown. Frelow struggled to find any separation, and gave up his back for the remainder of the round. The final round mirrored the fourth, as Magomedov found the early takedown, and methodically transitioned to the back. Frelow simply had no answer for the grappling prowess of Magomedov, and the Russian is the new WSOF bantamweight champion!

Preliminary Card:

Abubakar Nurmagomedov def. Matt Secor by Unanimous Decision

Tom Marcellino def. Bill Jones by Unanimous Decision

Hakeem Dawodu def. Steven Siler by Unanimous Decision

Islam Mamedov def. Natan Schulte by Submission (Armbar) at 4:56 of round 2

Steven Rodriguez def. Alexandre Almeida by Split Decision

Emmanuel Walo def. Andrews Nakahara by Split Decision