World Series of Fighting returned on Friday night with a main card that featured two title fights and some of the company’s hottest prospects. Canada’s Edmonton Expo Centre was the venue for impressive finishes and a title change.
Lance Palmer def. Chris Horodecki via submission – neck crank (Round 1, 4:28)
Former champions Georgi Karakhanyan and Rick Glenn had both failed to make a successful defence of the WSOF featherweight title. It took Lance Palmer less than five minutes to do what they could not, forcing Chris Horodecki to tap before the end of the first round and securing his first defence of the belt. Horodecki had already escaped from one perilous position midway through the round, but could not repeat the act when Palmer flattened him out on his front and started to rain down the punches. As Horodecki tried to defend, Palmer was able to crank the neck and secure the ninth win of his career.
Blagoi Ivanov def. Smealinho Rama via submission – guillotine choke (Round 3, 1:17)
The co-main event saw a new champion crowned in the heavyweight division as Blagoi Ivanov dethroned Smealinho Rama. In a bout that was fought mainly on the feet, Rama landed consistenly through the first two rounds, but it did not stop the challenger continuing to throw with wild intent. It was clear that the power held by both men was far from equal, and Ivanov eventually caught and dropped Rama in the third round. Ivanov quickly grabbed a guillotine and Rama had no option but to tap. Ivanov improved his record to 12-1 with one no contest, and will now look forward to further challenges in the World Series cage.
Hakeem Dawodu def. Chuka Willis via TKO – knees and elbows (Round 2, 2:55)
Prior to the event, Hakeem Dawodu had been hyped as a prospect with almost unlimited potential. 20 seconds into his fight with Chuka Willis he had been taken down, and had given up his back. There was almost a threat of a choke. Almost. Dawodu would eventually turn the tide towards the end of the first round, before hurting his opponent with a consistent stream of knees in the second. Willis could take no more, turning to the referee to stop the fight. With the win Dawodu moved to 5-0, but showed plenty of room for continued improvement.
Michael Hill def. Mark Drummond via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
In a fight that aired after the Palmer vs Horodecki main event, Michael Hill was awarded a split decision victory in a close fight against Mark Drummond. There was little to choose between the two men throughout the three round contest which saw Hill improve his record to 8-3.
Thiago Goncalves def. Matt Baker via TKO – retirement (Round 2, 5:00)
Justin Sander def. Dan Lariviere via submission – arm-triangle choke (Round 2, 2:52)
Michael Hay def. Louie Grover via submission – armbar (Round 1, 2:17)
