Hello ladies and gents. Daniel Sohn here with live coverage of the third World Series of Fighting event, happening at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Preliminary results (untelevised) start at 5:30PM PT and play by play coverage for the main card starts at 8PM PT. Stay tuned for updates.
Main Card (on NBC Sports):
Jon Fitch vs. Josh Burkman
Round 1 – Here we go with the main event and Jon Fitch’s WSOF debut. Touch gloves to start. Burkman catches Fitch coming in big time and Fitch on his hands and knees, trying to avoid punches. Burkman crouches down and sinks in a guillotine and stands it up. It’s LOCKED IN DEEP and Burkman pulls guard and puts Fitch to sleep like THAT. The ref didn’t even stop the fight, Burkman just felt Fitch drop. Burkman lets go and rolls Fitch over, and he is basically unconscious. Absolutely stunning and lightning quick ending to this fight. Just truly stunning.
Official result: Josh Burkman def. Jon Fitch by submission (guillotine) in Round 1
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Tyson Steele vs. Steve Carl
Round 1 – They touch gloves to start. Steele throwing all kinds of kicks to keep the distance, but nothing serious. Carl gets into Steele’s guard and unloads before Steele backs away. Carl pursuing and tags Steele with a stiff jab. Steele didn’t like it and shoots for a takedown, which is stuffed. Carl controls Steele from the top and sneaks in a beautiful rear naked choke from the side and Steele holds off tapping for a second before he gives. What a performance from Carl.
Official result: Steve Carl def. Tyson Steele by submission (RNC) at 1:32 of Round 1
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Jacob Volkmann vs. Lyle Beerbohm
Round 1 – Beerbohm comes rushing out, lands a few leg kicks. Volkmann gets the clinch, throws a few knees. Beerbohm turns him and Volkmann looking for a guillotine. Beerbohm getting really low against Volkmann, essentially hunched over. Volkmann has his back now, both on the ground, but in north/south. Interesting position, but Beerbohm gets out to give Volkmann a sprawl position on top. Volkmann works his way to Beerbohm’s back, but can’t lock in and we’re back to the north/south. Volkmann turns and gets his back, looking to lock in a leg. Beerbohm escapes and ends up on top for a second, but Volkmann gets out and we’re back to the feet in a clinch. Beerbohm looking and looking for a takedown but not happening and the ref breaks them up. They go right back to the clinch with nothing doing and the round is over.
10-9 Volkmann
Round 2 – Mild strikes exchanged and Volkmann initiates a clinch. Beerbohm in control against the cage. Volkmann attempting a standing guillotine but not quite able to lock it. They end up in the same over/under position and scramble, then both guys up and separating. Another clinch and not a lot of action against the cage. Gotta think the ref would break this up to make them actually fight. Knees exchanged and Volkmann with another standing guillotine attempt. Beerbohm gets his head out and they throw knees at each others’ legs. Really locked up against the cage together and the ref finally separates them for the last minute. They separate for a brief moment and get into another clinch. Beerbohm has him against the cage, but no one is really advancing. More strikes thrown to end the round, nothing close to landing and they clinch for the final seconds. Fans are booing now.
10-9 Beerbohm
Round 3 – Brief exchange to start and they start rolling on the ground, literally. Volkmann wrapped around Beerbohm’s back, but Beerbohm escapes. Volkmann on top and we have a nice display of wrestling control and escape attempts. Volkmann finally gets his legs locked around Beerbohm and is looking for a rear naked, but Beerbohm defending like a madman. Volkmann relentless, looking for that RNC but he just can’t get past Beerbohm’s defense. Not much going on, Volkmann wants that RNC but he’s not getting close and the fight ends with them in that same position.
10-9 Volkmann
Official result: Jacob Volkmann def. Lyle Beerbohm by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
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Justin Gaethje vs. Brian Cobb
Round 1 – Some wild strikes exchanged to start, but Cobb gets a takedown. Gaethje with a nice reversal, but Cobb hooked onto Gaethje’s neck and shoulder. Gaethje escapes and rains down strikes. Cobb back to his feet and wild pursuit from Gaethje but Cobb avoids most of the damage. Another wild charge from Gaethje leads to a takedown from Cobb. Attempted escape from Gaethje and Cobb locks up his back. He’s got his legs locked in and rains down shots from the back. Gaethje stands up, unbelievably, with Cobb locked on his back. Gaethje rolls forward to slam Cobb off of him, but Cobb has those legs locked like a vise. More punches from above and Cobb is just owning him, punches to the back and body and head. Cobb looking for a window to get a rear naked choke. Gaethje defends well but is just eating punches from the back. Big round for Cobb.
10-9 Cobb
Round 2 – Good exchanges to start, Gaethje is breathing hard. Geathje coming forward, Cobb with some nice counters. Gaethje just looking to brawl right now, throwing uppercuts and not defending himself. Gaethje looks like he has Cobb a little hurt, but he can’t do anything with it and Cobb locks up in a clinch. Cobb looking to separate but Gaethje wants to engage. Gaethje in a little rhythm, but only throwing haymakers and no setups. Cobb avoiding and keeping Gaethje honest with jabs. Good leg kicks from Gaethje but his punches are looping and wild, missing almost every time. Cobb with a nice combo, looking to stick and move. Brief clinch to end the round with a little lovetap flying knee from Gaethje.
10-9 Cobb
Round 3 – The crowd loves Gaethje here, chanting his name. Gaethje gets Cobb low, Gaethje doesn’t think so but replay shows right in the crotch. Gaethje showing some more patience now, looking fresher, landing some nice leg kicks. Cobb countering with good jabs. Another leg kick lands for Gaethje. Cobb bringing the punches while Gaethje lands leg kicks. Really picking apart Cobb’s leg, who is clearly hurting now. Cobb limping and buckling and he can’t keep his feet. He backs up against the cage and looks to call a timeout…yes, you read that right, a timeout. That’s got to be a first. But this is a fight, not a basketball game. Gaethje lands a few punches before the referee rushes in after the timeout call. Great comeback from Gaethje, who has enough energy to run into a jumping backflip (and land).
Official result: Justin Gaethje def. Brian Cobb by TKO at 2:19 of Round 3
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Preliminary Card:
Jeff Smith vs. Jerrod Sanders
Round 1 – Last fight of the prelims before we move to the main card. Some punches exchanged to start, then Sanders shoots for a quick takedown. Brief scramble and Sanders ends up in side control with Smith cranking his neck. Smith lets go and Sanders working some punches and elbows to the body. Big punch and elbow from Sanders to stand up, Smith stays on his back, looking for an upkick. Sanders very quick to shoot back into Smith’s guard. Sanders with more GNP, but not a lot happening. Smith looking to escape. Sanders eventually stands up and lets Smith back up. They collide in the middle and Smith jumps to avoid an anticipated kick, Sanders with a takedown. Sanders on top to end the round.
10-9 Sanders
Round 2 – Smith with some nice strikes to open, but Sanders winds up with a possible choke. Test of will and strength here, Sanders not letting go, but doesn’t have it tight enough to put Smith out. Nice knee to the body from Sanders, who is still wrapped around Smith’s neck and arm. Smith gets his head out and now it’s side control for Sanders. Some GNP, scrambling and more GNP. Not a lot happening. Kim Winslow stands them up, and after a brief exchange, Smith eats another shot and Sanders in dominant position again. Smith locks him up and Sanders can’t do a whole lot. Sanders on top to end the round once again, but not a lot of damage being done.
10-9 Sanders
Round 3 – Flying knee from Smith misses. He’d do well to avoid getting taken down. They collide again and Sanders looks to clinch and get it to the floor, but Smith breaks away. Feigned strikes from Sanders and a smooth shoot to get Smith down again. Smith looking to roll off the cage, Sanders gets up and dodges a few upkicks to get into side control. Sanders advancing position and almost gets a mounted crucifix. Smith defends well and it’s back to full guard. Sanders raining them down now, but Smith ties him up. Good hammer punches from the bottom but Sanders postures up and makes Smith pay. Smith ties him up again and Winslow stands them up. Smith looking to strike but Sanders with yet another takedown, the story of this fight. Sanders in top control to end the round, with absolutely no action in the closing seconds.
10-9 Sanders
Official result: Jerrod Sanders def. Jeff Smith by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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John Gunderson vs. Dan Lauzon
Round 1 – Dan’s brother Joe is recognizable in his corner. Gunderson with the clever nickname, “Guns”. Huge flying knee from Lauzon early catches Gunderson square in the face and Gunderson looks stunned. Lauzon follows with a kick to the face and Gunderson grabs on for a takedown. Lauzon pursuing and landing some nice strikes. Gunderson avoiding and shoots for a stuffed takedown. Lauzon with a big hook to the body. Gunderson with a straight kick right to Lauzon’s cup and Lauzon eats it up and wants to keep fighting. Gunderson shoots for a takedown, gets stuffed and Lauzon punches him in the face to knock him back. Lauzon looks extremely confident, all offense and patience. Gunderson getting mauled on the feet from beginning to end. If there was a 10-8 round on this card so far, this was it.
10-9 Lauzon
Round 2 – Nice head kick from Gunderson lands, but Lauzon right back and throwing with bad intentions. Lauzon blocks another head kick. Gunderson with an active right leg, throwing at Lauzon’s body and leg. Big flying knee to the body from Gunderson, and Gunderson ends up on his back with Lauzon on top. Lauzon lands some brutal punches and they’re back to the feet. A semi-low blow from Gunderson and Lauzon takes a brief breather. Gunderson turning up the aggression now, but Lauzon defends and pursues like a cyborg. Some crisp striking, Lauzon showing patience and using that reach. Gunderson comes in swinging and lands a solid left. More big strikes exchanged, but nothing landing flush. Brief exchange to end the round. Guns much more aggressive, but not landing enough.
10-9 Lauzon
Round 3 – Last round of an extra-violent fight. Lauzon with cage control, throwing nice combos. Guns covering up then exploding back, but Lauzon avoids most of the damage. Lauzon in pursuit and looking to pick Guns apart. Guns shoots for a single, but not a lot happening. Lauzon escapes. Lauzon again, relentless, throwing against Guns against the cage. Some nice body kicks from Guns to mix it up, but Lauzon still in control. Some brutal strikes from Lauzon and two flying knees to the body, Guns looks hurt. Gunderson snags a single, holding on. Lauzon breaks away and Lauzon turning up the heat now, really pouring it on. High volume of strikes in the closing seconds and Lauzon throwing to finish, but Gunderson able to avoid. Great fight from two warriors.
10-9 Lauzon
Official result: Dan Lauzon def. John Gunderson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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Carson Beebe vs. Joe Murphy
Round 1 – Both guys come out firing. Lot of strikes to start, Beebe a little wild. They end up in the clinch and Beebe gets Murphy down. Working some GNP, but Murphy is avoiding most of it. Murphy with a great guard, looking for subs. Murphy with a brief guillotine attempt, but Beebe escapes. Beebe stands up and a couple of upkicks from Murphy and he’s right back into his guard. More scrambling and Murphy with a great reversal, but can’t do much with it. Beebe ends up in top control again. Murphy gets up, but Beebe stays locked on and drags him down again. Murphy very active on his back, but spent most of the round there.
10-9 Beebe
Round 2 – Beebe with a quick takedown and in side control, but Murphy with an explosive reversal and looking for a guillotine. Doesn’t have it and Beebe gets back on top again in side control. Working the GNP and now goes north/south. Murphy looking to escape, but Beebe working the top control beautifully. More GNP. Lots of scrambling, Beebe doing everything he can to keep Murphy down, some wild and technical scrambling on the ground. Murphy finally finds an opening to escape, but Beebe grabs a single and drags Murphy down once again. More scrambling and Murphy manages to get a guillotine for just a second. Back to their feet now and Beebe in control, pushing Murphy against the cage. Murphy with some nice knees to the body. Nasty clinch work from both guys and they break. Murphy somehow gets full mount for a second and throws down, then Beebe turns around to give up his back to end the round.
10-9 Beebe
Round 3 – Beebe with a slam to open the round. Some ground work and Murphy almost locks in an armbar, but good escape from Beebe. Clinch work on the feet and these guys are putting on a show right now. Lots of reversals, escapes and submission attempts. Murphy looking for an arm in guillotine, but Beebe rolls and rolls and rolls and escapes. Crazy paced fight. Murphy ends up on top, but Beebe has him wrapped up. Murphy breaks free and now working his GNP. Back to their feet now, Beebe in control against the cage. Murphy reverses, but neither guy doing much damage. Couple of knees from Beebe, still locked up in the clinch. Both guys swinging at the finish, what a punishing pace to fight at.
10-9 Beebe
Official result: Carson Beebe def. Joe Murphy by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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Krasimir Mladenov vs. Kendrick Miree
Round 1 – Miree looks significantly larger than Mladenov to start. Miree with a pawing jab. Miree jumps in with a big knee but is caught by Mladenov. Krasimir looking for a takedown, holding onto a single like a dog on a bone and finally gets him down. Miree up, but Krasimir has him wrapped up against the cage. Nothing happening and they break. Miree throws a big high kick that misses everything and slips as a result. Back to his feet. Krasimir lands a stiff cross. Miree lands a nice counter combo and follows with a big knee to Krasimir’s head. Krasimer holds on to Miree, probably to get his equilibrium back. Mladenov wraps him up to end the round.
10-9 Miree
Round 2 – Miree controlling the cage to start the second. Krasimir with some darting in and out, but nothing significant landing. Miree is looking for a big counter, baiting Krasimir to come in. Krasimir charges after a Miree feint and connects this time. Krasimir comes in again and tags him, then rinse and repeat. They lock up for a moment, but Miree fends him off. Krasimir charges and throws a hook, then locks in for a single. He’s got Miree on his back, in full guard. Miree gets his legs up, looking for a triangle. Referee Kim Winslow stands them up after Miree keeps Krasimir locked up. Miree chasing Krasimir around the cage until Miree slips and Krasimir ends up in top position at the last second. Very close round.
10-9 Mladenov
Round 3 – Krasimir now with a clever counter, catching Miree on the way in. Krasimir looks smaller, but a little crisper and fresher right now. Wild exchange in the center, but nothing big lands. Miree pursuing and controlling the cage, but Krasimir more active with the hands. Mladenov with a single, but unable to get Miree down. Miree just keeps pursuing, but not mounting a lot of offense. It’s been a while since Miree actually threw a punch or kick, strange strategy here. Miree shoots for a takedown, easily blocked by Mladenov. A little dirty boxing from both guys, hammer punches to the legs. Krasimir in control, grinding Miree against the cage, but not doing much. Late break to end the fight and a brief exchange as the bell sounds.
10-9 Mladenov
Official result: Krasimir Mladenov def. Kendrick Miree by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
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Brenson Hansen vs. Josh Montalvo
Round 1 – Both guys come out tentative, couple of feeler punches and kicks from both sides. Couple of leg kicks being exchanged. Montalvo keeping his hands a little low. Big kick to the body that goes low from Montalvo. Hansen walking it off. Back to it now. Couple of good combos from Hansen, but nothing landing flush. Hansen looks like the early aggressor here and now Hansen with a low leg kick that hits Montalvo in the junk. Hansen catches a Montalvo leg kick and swarms on him, lands a few nice shots. Gets his back for second, but Montalvo shrugs him off and they’re back to the feet. A few combos exchanged and Montalvo backs up Hansen for a moment. Hansen right back and takes Montalvo down with authority. Montalvo looking for an armbar from guard, but doesn’t have it and now Hansen in side control, looking to work. Montalvo locking him up and nothing doing, round over.
10-9 Hansen
Round 2 – Montalvo rushes in with a nice combo ended with a body kick, but Hansen catches him with a beautiful counter punch and backs him up. Montalvo with a single leg but can’t do anything, now they’re in the clinch with Hansen controlling. Hansen breaks with a mean elbow, partially blocked. Montalvo lands a few nice punches, Hansen looking to counter, the story of this fight so far. Hansen shoots and floors Montalvo. Has him up against the cage, Montalvo wall walks and Hansen breaks with a knee to the head. More strikes exchanged and another BIG takedown from Montalvo, who has no chance of stopping these shoots. Montalvo wrapping him up, and the round is over. Montalvo might have a slight advantage in striking this round, but Hansen’s takedowns probably stole the round for him.
10-9 Hansen
Round 3 – A couple of mean strikes being exchanged to start the third. Hansen catches Montalvo coming in again. Hansen again with a counterpunch. Montalvo with a strong combo, but nothing flush. Hansen shoots again and takes Montalvo down. Hansen looking to work, Montalvo tries to push off of the cage, but Hansen stays with it. Hansen turns him and lands a nice elbow. Hansen postured up, trying to land but Montalvo is tying him up nicely. Great escape from Montalvo who shoots for a takedown himself, but gets stuffed and a great reversal from Hansen to get his back. Montalvo pulls guard and Hansen back to top position. A couple of punches and elbows, and the fight is over.
10-9 Hansen
Official result: Brenson Hansen def. Josh Montalvo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
