“We are excited to return to the state of Florida with what is, without a doubt, going to be the most exciting and highest stakes World Series of Fighting event since we launched our live event series in 2012,” said World Series of Fighting President, six-time world champion and two-time Hall of Famer Ray Sefo.
“On Nov. 15,” continued Sefo, “the fates of three world champions and their respective, top contender opponents will be determined, and the landscape of three of our weight divisions could potentially change dramatically.”
In the main event, World Series of Fighting Middleweight (185 pounds) Champion and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt David Branch (14-3) of Brooklyn, N.Y. will put his title on the line against superstar Yushin “Thunder” Okami (30-8) of Kawaski, Kanagawa Japan.
The co-main event will see undefeated, reigning lightweight (155 pounds) champion Justin Gaethje (12-0) of Safford, Ariz. defend his crown against fellow KO artist Melvin Guillard (32-13-2, 2 NC) of New Orleans, La.
In a third world championship showdown, women’s strawweight (115 pounds) champion and submission expert Jessica “Jag” Aguilar (18-4) of Houston, Texas will risk her title against fast-paced finisher Kalindra Faria (15-3) of Taubate, Sao Paulo Brazil.
Additional matchups will be announced soon. The card is subject to change.
The first preliminary bout will begin at 6:00 p.m. EST.
David Branch vs. Yushin Okami
The 34-year-old Branch, a protégé of all-time great Renzo Gracie, will also put on the line a four-fight win streak that he ignited with a unanimous decision over dangerous power puncher Dustin Jacoby at the inaugural World Series of Fighting event on Nov. 3, 2012.
Following wins over superstar Paulo Filho and Danillo Villefort, respectively, Branch was crowned the first middleweight champion in World Series of Fighting history on June 21 when he made quick work of Jesse Taylor, submitting the former NCAA wrestling standout with a d’arce choke in the first round (1:41) of action.
Okami, a 33-year-old, top 10 world ranked contender, will make his second start in the World Series of Fighting decagon cage, following a spectacular second round (4:46) submission (arm-triangle choke) of Svetlozar Savov on March 29.
A 12-year veteran of the sport, Okami has finished 50 percent of his opponents and boasts victories over a host of fellow marquee competitors, including Hector Lombard, Nate Marquardt, Mark Munoz and Alan Belcher.
Justin Gaethje vs. Melvin Guillard
The 25-year-old Gaethje has been tearing through MMA’s professional lightweight division, running to 12 consecutive victories, 11 of which have come by either (T)KO or submission. On Jan. 18, Gaethje was crowned the first-ever World Series of Fighting lightweight champion after he decimated Richard Patishnock with a barrage of punches and elbow strikes in the first round (1:09) of their matchup.
Gaethje defended his title for the first time on the first-ever live NBC broadcast of a World Series of Fighting event, scoring a second round (3:09) TKO on Nick Newell on July 5.
Gaethje’s opponent, the 31-year-old Guillard, holds the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) record for the most victories (8) by way of (T)KO. A member of master trainer Greg Jackson’s elite fight squad, Guillard made his World Series of Fighting debut live on NBC, scoring a thunderous, second round (2:36) TKO (punches and elbow strikes) on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace Gesias “J.Z.” Cavalcante on July 5.
Jessica Aguilar vs. Kalindra Faria
Recognized as the world’s top 115 pound fighter in the sport’s women’s division and a top 5 pound-for-pound competitor, the 32-year-old Aguilar is aiming for her 10th consecutive victory and her 3rd straight in the World Series of Fighting cage. On Jan. 18, the Mexican American superstar became the first World Series of Fighting women’s champion in history after submitting Alida Gray with an arm-triangle choke in the first round (2:45) of battle.
Faria will make her World Series of Fighting debut, riding a spectacular, 11-fight win streak that dates back to Aug. 6, 2011. To date, the 28-year-old has produced finishes in 10 of her 15 career professional victories.
Source: WSOF press release.
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Main Photo: courtesy of Sherdog
