Tag: WSOF 11

WSOF 11 Results: Gaethje Knocks Out Newell, Fitch Blankets Hallman

WSOF 11 completed the first leg of this weekend’s MMA triple crown–WSOF 11, UFC 175, and then the TUF 19 Finale. By all accounts (including our own), WSOF 11 was a solid MMA event. The pacing was perfect, and (almost) the fights all delivered.

We were lucky enough to watch the card at a postponed 4th of July BBQ (it rained at Castle CagePotato yesterday). Here’s a brief recap of the night’s events:

In the first fight of the night, Cody Bollinger steamrolled over Pablo Alfonso. He submitted him with a rear-naked choke in under three minutes. Not much else to tell.

In the next bout, Melvin Guillard made his triumphant return to MMA. This was Guillard’s first fight since the UFC cut him after his loss to Michael Johnson. He squared off against Gesias Cavalcante and picked him apart. Guillard looked crisp, fast, and accurate. He seemingly had his shit together, which allowed him to put Cavalcante away in the second round via TKO.

The recap for Jon Fitch vs. Dennis Hallman and Nick Newell vs. Justin Gaethje are after the jump.

WSOF 11 completed the first leg of this weekend’s MMA triple crown–WSOF 11, UFC 175, and then the TUF 19 Finale. By all accounts (including our own), WSOF 11 was a solid MMA event. The pacing was perfect, and (almost) the fights all delivered.

We were lucky enough to watch the card at a postponed 4th of July BBQ (it rained at Castle CagePotato yesterday). Here’s a brief recap of the night’s events:

In the first fight of the night, Cody Bollinger steamrolled over Pablo Alfonso. He submitted him with a rear-naked choke in under three minutes. Not much else to tell.

In the next bout, Melvin Guillard made his triumphant return to MMA. This was Guillard’s first fight since the UFC cut him after his loss to Michael Johnson. He squared off against Gesias Cavalcante and picked him apart. Guillard looked crisp, fast, and accurate. He seemingly had his shit together, which allowed him to put Cavalcante away in the second round via TKO.

The co-main event featured Jon Fitch vs. Dennis Hallman. Originally, Rousimar Palhares Jake Shields, Josh Burkman was supposed to take on Fitch but they all pulled out for varying reasons. This fight was a vintage Jon Fitch performance, which meant it put the crowd to sleep. If “Broke Jon Fitch” was super-exciting and aggressive, then this was a return to “Real Estate Boom” Jon Fitch–the kind of fighter who grinds without ever coming close to even attempting to finish the fight. Fitch won a unanimous decision win without much surprise or fanfare.

Nick Newell and Justin Gaethje met in the WSOF 11 main event. We hate to break out the “it was a WAR, BRO” cliche, but the first round was a war. Newell did a tremendous job of taking it to Gaethje, and Gaethje reciprocated. In the second frame, Gaethje started to pull away. Newell was unable to block Gaethje’s right hands properly, and got tagged numerous times as a result. Gaethje eventually nailed him one time too many, and Newell crashed to the mat. The referee called it at 3:09 of the second round. Here’s a GIF.

Overall, the event was a breeze to watch. The four-fight main card was incredibly refreshing in the age of 6-hour UFC shows full of jobbers and the incessant broadcasting of the same four commercials. We also gave WSOF a huge thumbs up for their pristine white canvas. The white canvas helps make things a bit brighter and less drab. It also highlights any blood that spills from the fighters better than the UFC’s grey canvas, upping the violence factor.

If you DVR’d this, watch it when you get time. It’s worth it.

Here are the complete results:

Main Card

Justin Gaethje def. Nick Newell via TKO (strikes) at 3:09 of R2
Jon Fitch def. Dennis Hallman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Melvin Guillard def. Gesias Cavalcante via TKO (strikes) at 2:36 of R2
Cody Bollinger def. Pablo Alfonso via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:37 of R1

Preliminary Card

Jake Heun def. Kendrick Miree via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Neiman Gracie def. Dustin Holyko via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:21 of R2
Jose Caceres def. Walber Brito de Barros via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Muhamed Dereese def. Rashaun Spencer via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

And Now He’s Retired (Again): Matt Hamill Hangs ‘Em Up Citing “Nagging Injury”


(via Matt’s FaceBook page.)

Sad but foreseeable news today, as TUF 3 alum, UFC star, and inspirational figure Matt Hamill has called it quits on his MMA career for a second and hopefully final time.

The announcement comes after Hamill was forced out of his World Series of Fighting debut at WSOF 11 with a knee injury, and was made via his Facebook page:

First and foremost, I would like to thank my most loyal fans for standing by me throughout my 10 year career with MMA… All good things must come to an end and I am saddened that the time has come for me to hang up my gloves permanently due to a nagging injury that has never healed and has worsened with time. The memories have been good…. 


(via Matt’s FaceBook page.)

Sad but foreseeable news today, as TUF 3 alum, UFC star, and inspirational figure Matt Hamill has called it quits on his MMA career for a second and hopefully final time.

The announcement comes after Hamill was forced out of his World Series of Fighting debut at WSOF 11 with a knee injury, and was made via his Facebook page:

First and foremost, I would like to thank my most loyal fans for standing by me throughout my 10 year career with MMA… All good things must come to an end and I am saddened that the time has come for me to hang up my gloves permanently due to a nagging injury that has never healed and has worsened with time. The memories have been good…. 

As you recall, Hamill initially retired following his second round TKO loss to a young up-and-comer named Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 133, citing the same nagging injuries that apparently still plague him to this day. Perhaps seeking a triumphant win to go out on, Hamill unretired a little over a year later, as MMA fighters are wont to do. Although “The Hammer” was able to score a unanimous decision victory over Roger Hollett in a largely forgettable contest at UFC 152, his subsequent decision loss to Thiago Silva at Fight Night 27 wrote home the notion that the game had sadly passed him by.

His recent woes aside, there’s no denying the impact Hamill had on the UFC, its fans, and the deaf community during his MMA career, which saw him score wins over Keith Jardine, Tito Ortiz, Mark Munoz, Jon Jones (technically), and Michael Bisping (not technically but c’mon). Having had the brief opportunity to train with Hamill prior to his fight with Rich Franklin at UFC 88, I can personally attest to the quality of his character and would like to wish him the best of luck wherever the road takes him.

Show Hamill some love one final time in the comments section.

–J. Jones

Would Anybody Out There Like to Fight Jon Fitch at WSOF 11? Anybody? [UPDATED AGAIN]


(As long as Fitch agrees to be unconscious when the fight starts, you’ve got yourself a deal. / Photo via Sherdog)

For the third time in six weeks, Jon Fitch has lost his opponent for his World Series of Fighting 11 promotional debut. Yesterday, Josh Burkman tweeted that he was forced to withdraw from his scheduled rubber-match against Fitch at the July 5th NBC card, due to a hyperextended elbow, ligament damage, and a bone bruise. So, to briefly summarize:

March 29: Fitch is booked for a welterweight title fight at WSOF 11 against Rousimar Palhares, after claiming that he’d never fight Palhares.

April 30th: Palhares withdraws from the fight to take care of his sick mother, Ali Abdel-Aziz loses his mind.

May 2nd: Fitch gets booked in a stylistic nightmare fight against Jake Shields, a match that MMA fans around the world have been asking for, sarcastically.


(As long as Fitch agrees to be unconscious when the fight starts, you’ve got yourself a deal. / Photo via Sherdog)

For the third time in six weeks, Jon Fitch has lost his opponent for his World Series of Fighting 11 promotional debut. Yesterday, Josh Burkman tweeted that he was forced to withdraw from his scheduled rubber-match against Fitch at the July 5th NBC card, due to a hyperextended elbow, ligament damage, and a bone bruise. So, to briefly summarize:

March 29: Fitch is booked for a welterweight title fight at WSOF 11 against Rousimar Palhares, after claiming that he’d never fight Palhares.

April 30th: Palhares withdraws from the fight to take care of his sick mother, Ali Abdel-Aziz loses his mind.

May 2nd: Fitch gets booked in a stylistic nightmare fight against Jake Shields, a match that MMA fans around the world have been asking for, sarcastically.

May 21: WSOF confirms that Shields is out of the fight with an undisclosed injury

May 22: WSOF announces Fitch vs. Burkman 3.

June 11: Burkman pulls out of the fight due to severe masturbation injuries.

A replacement-replacement-replacement opponent has not been announced for Fitch yet, although I hear that Jason High dude is free these days. At this point, the promotion is probably better off re-booking Fitch against one of his first two opponents. Though if you can make 170 pounds by July 4th and don’t mind being smothered for three rounds, feel free to offer WSOF your services.

Update #1: Matt Hamill is now off the card too. Damn it, this thing is falling apart.

Update #2: MMA ultra-veteran Dennis Hallman has agreed to step in against Fitch. Hallman was released by the UFC in October 2012 after a regrettable run in which he violated wardrobe decency standards during a loss to Brian Ebersole, missed weight before a win over John Makdessi, and completely missed weight before a scheduled match against Thiago Tavares, which was scrapped as a result. (Hallman later revealed that he was dealing with some pretty heavy personal issues at the time.) He has gone 2-0 since his UFC release.

‘WSOF 11: Gaethje vs. Newell’ Set for Ocean Center in Daytona Beach; NBC Broadcast Begins at 4 p.m. ET

(Justin Gaethje’s 69-second smash-up of Richard Patishnock, at WSOF 8 back in January.)

According to World Series of Fighting Executive Vice President Ali Abdel-Aziz, WSOF 11: Gaethje vs. Newell — the promotion’s big NBC debut on July 5th — will take place at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. BleacherReport confirmed the news with Abdel-Aziz last night.

More importantly, the card will kick off at 4 p.m. ET, which means that it’ll finish right around the time that the UFC 175: Weidman vs. Machida prelims get underway. Considering that the TUF 19 Finale is scheduled for the next day, there’s no reason for you to not be watching MMA at any point that weekend. Hope you didn’t have plans with family or anything.

Aside from the WSOF lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Nick Newell (both 11-0), the card will feature the rubber match between Jon Fitch and Josh Burkman, and Melvin Guillard vs. Gesias Cavalcante. No other matches have been confirmed.


(Justin Gaethje’s 69-second smash-up of Richard Patishnock, at WSOF 8 back in January.)

According to World Series of Fighting Executive Vice President Ali Abdel-Aziz, WSOF 11: Gaethje vs. Newell — the promotion’s big NBC debut on July 5th — will take place at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. BleacherReport confirmed the news with Abdel-Aziz last night.

More importantly, the card will kick off at 4 p.m. ET, which means that it’ll finish right around the time that the UFC 175: Weidman vs. Machida prelims get underway. Considering that the TUF 19 Finale is scheduled for the next day, there’s no reason for you to not be watching MMA at any point that weekend. Hope you didn’t have plans with family or anything.

Aside from the WSOF lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Nick Newell (both 11-0), the card will feature the rubber match between Jon Fitch and Josh Burkman, and Melvin Guillard vs. Gesias Cavalcante. No other matches have been confirmed.

WSOF Signs New Deal With NBC Sports Group; ‘Gaethje vs. Newell’ to Make NBC Debut on July 5th


(Newell and Gaethje pose together during the- OH MY GOD MACHETE WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD.)

It’s official: World Series of Fighting has become the latest MMA promotion to sign a network television deal. Previously a fixture on the NBC Sports Network cable channel, WSOF has signed a new multi-year agreement with the NBC Sports Group that will bring its events to multiple broadcast platforms, including a set of events on NBC. MMAJunkie confirmed the news earlier today with World Series of Fighting president Ray Sefo.

According to the Junkie report, the first WSOF event to appear on NBC will be WSOF 11: Gaethje vs. Newell, which will take place July 5th at a venue to be named later. WSOF 11 will also feature Jon Fitch vs. Josh Burkman 3, Matt Hamill’s promotion debut, and a lightweight bout between Melvin Guillard and Gesias Cavalcante. As we’ve pointed out before, July 5th is the same day as the super-stacked UFC 175: Weidman v. Machida card, which makes the timing of WSOF’s big network debut less than ideal.

While specific details of the new deal have yet to be announced, MMAJunkie writes that the WSOF/NBC agreement runs through 2017, and a second NBC broadcast event is being targeted for December 27th. We’ll keep you posted.


(Newell and Gaethje pose together during the- OH MY GOD MACHETE WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD.)

It’s official: World Series of Fighting has become the latest MMA promotion to sign a network television deal. Previously a fixture on the NBC Sports Network cable channel, WSOF has signed a new multi-year agreement with the NBC Sports Group that will bring its events to multiple broadcast platforms, including a set of events on NBC. MMAJunkie confirmed the news earlier today with World Series of Fighting president Ray Sefo.

According to the Junkie report, the first WSOF event to appear on NBC will be WSOF 11: Gaethje vs. Newell, which will take place July 5th at a venue to be named later. WSOF 11 will also feature Jon Fitch vs. Josh Burkman 3, Matt Hamill’s promotion debut, and a lightweight bout between Melvin Guillard and Gesias Cavalcante. As we’ve pointed out before, July 5th is the same day as the super-stacked UFC 175: Weidman v. Machida card, which makes the timing of WSOF’s big network debut less than ideal.

While specific details of the new deal have yet to be announced, MMAJunkie writes that the WSOF/NBC agreement runs through 2017, and a second NBC broadcast event is being targeted for December 27th. We’ll keep you posted.

Today in Injuries: Pat Curran Withdraws From Bellator 121 Title Fight, Jake Shields Out of WSOF 11 Bout With Jon Fitch


(Just be real, Pat. You woke up and the belt was gone. It happens. / Photo via @PatCurranMMA)

Due to a severe right calf strain, Bellator featherweight champion Pat Curran will be unable to defend his title against top contender Patricio “Pitbull” Freire at Bellator 121, June 6th in Thackerville, Oklahoma. As Curran stated in a release yesterday:

“I have my sights set on getting back into the cage as soon as possible, with July in mind, but I want to be 100 percent healthy heading into that cage to smash ‘Pitbull.’”

Bellator has had a rotten stretch of luck lately with its champions staying healthy. Most notably, Eddie Alvarez had to pull out of the promotion’s first pay-per-view event due to a concussion — which led to Will Brooks winning an interim lightweight title that may or may not be worth the leather it’s printed on. Plus, Bellator bantamweight champion Eduardo Dantas suffered a head injury of his own in training last month, and was forced to withdraw from his scheduled May 2nd title defense against Joe Warren.

In other injury news…


(Just be real, Pat. You woke up and the belt was gone. It happens. / Photo via @PatCurranMMA)

Due to a severe right calf strain, Bellator featherweight champion Pat Curran will be unable to defend his title against top contender Patricio “Pitbull” Freire at Bellator 121, June 6th in Thackerville, Oklahoma. As Curran stated in a release yesterday:

“I have my sights set on getting back into the cage as soon as possible, with July in mind, but I want to be 100 percent healthy heading into that cage to smash ‘Pitbull.’”

Bellator has had a rotten stretch of luck lately with its champions staying healthy. Most notably, Eddie Alvarez had to pull out of the promotion’s first pay-per-view event due to a concussion — which led to Will Brooks winning an interim lightweight title that may or may not be worth the leather it’s printed on. Plus, Bellator bantamweight champion Eduardo Dantas suffered a head injury of his own in training last month, and was forced to withdraw from his scheduled May 2nd title defense against Joe Warren.

In other injury news…

— The Jake Shields vs. Jon Fitch pitching duel at World Series of Fighting 11: Gaethje vs. Newell has been scrapped due to Shields sustaining an undisclosed injury. The promotion is currently searching for a replacement opponent for Fitch. (Don’t suggest Palhares; they already tried that.) WSOF 11 is slated for July 5th, at a venue to be announced shortly. Yes, World Series of Fighting is holding a card on the same day as UFC 175, the most (only?) stacked UFC card of 2014. Gutsy move, guys.

— Just two weeks after Sergei Kharitonov vs. Mirko Cro Cop was announced for the main event of GLORY 17 (June 17th, Los Angeles), Kharitonov has been forced to withdraw from the kickboxing bout due to a finger injury. No word yet on who Cro Cop might fight as a replacement, but please God let it be Tim Sylvia.