Tag: WSOF 4

WSOF 4 Weigh-In Results: Lew Polley Misses Weight by 32 Pounds, LIKE A BOSS

(Spong vs. DeAnda face-off, via ZombieProphet)

The fighters competing at tomorrow night’s World Series of Fighting 4: Spong vs. DeAnda event weighed in today at Dave and Buster’s in Ontario, California, and things went smoothly for the most part. The headliners made weight. Newell made weight. Jorge Santiago weighed in at 172.4 pounds on his first attempt, but was more than two pounds lighter when he tried again. And Lew Polley showed up at 237 pounds for a light-heavyweight bout. Holy shit. Awesome.

Polley’s weight wasn’t even announced publicly — WSOF officials only said that he was “significantly over” the contracted weight and removed him from the bout — but MMAJunkie’s John Morgan got the actual number from an event source. By the way, Polley missing weight by 32 pounds puts him at #1 on the Weigh-In Failure Leaderboard, destroying the old record of 23.75. Polley has already apologized on twitter, although he didn’t offer an explanation as to what went wrong.

Tomorrow night’s event was supposed to be Polley’s WSOF debut, and it’s unlikely that the promotion will have him back. Fortunately, Polley’s scheduled opponent Hans Stringer was paid his show money. The full WSOF 4 weigh-in results are after the jump, in case you’re curious.


(Spong vs. DeAnda face-off, via ZombieProphet)

The fighters competing at tomorrow night’s World Series of Fighting 4: Spong vs. DeAnda event weighed in today at Dave and Buster’s in Ontario, California, and things went smoothly for the most part. The headliners made weight. Newell made weight. Jorge Santiago weighed in at 172.4 pounds on his first attempt, but was more than two pounds lighter when he tried again. And Lew Polley showed up at 237 pounds for a light-heavyweight bout. Holy shit. Awesome.

Polley’s weight wasn’t even announced publicly — WSOF officials only said that he was “significantly over” the contracted weight and removed him from the bout — but MMAJunkie’s John Morgan got the actual number from an event source. By the way, Polley missing weight by 32 pounds puts him at #1 on the Weigh-In Failure Leaderboard, destroying the old record of 23.75. Polley has already apologized on twitter, although he didn’t offer an explanation as to what went wrong.

Tomorrow night’s event was supposed to be Polley’s WSOF debut, and it’s unlikely that the promotion will have him back. Fortunately, Polley’s scheduled opponent Hans Stringer was paid his show money. The full WSOF 4 weigh-in results are after the jump, in case you’re curious.

MAIN CARD (NBC Sports Network, 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT)
Tyrone Spong (205) vs. Angel DeAnda (205)
Marlon Moraes (136) vs. Brandon Hempleman (136)
Nick Newell (155) vs. Keon Caldwell (156)
Ray Sefo (255) vs. Dave Huckaba (264)
Tyson Griffin (156) vs. Gesias Cavalcante (156)

PRELIMINARY CARD (8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT)
Gerald Harris (171) vs. Jorge Santiago (170.2)
Antonio McKee (155) vs. Lewis Gonzalez (156)
Lew Polley vs. Hans Stringer
Jared Papazian (136) vs. John Robles (134)
Isaac Gutierrez (150) vs. Victor Valenzuela (150)

WSOF Check-In: Lightweight Tournament Announced, Newell & Spong Prepare for Fights This Saturday

(Learn more about lightweight rising star Nick Newell and the challenges he’s overcome | Video via MMA World Series Youtube page)

We’ve been following lightweight prospect Nick Newell’s unlikely and inspiring career for some time now here at CagePotato, and this Saturday he makes his next big move at the World Series of Fighting 4 event in Ontario, California. Newell will face TUF veteran Keon Caldwell.

Even though Newell hasn’t yet won his WSOF debut, the promotion announced that a win over Caldwell would earn Newell a spot in its upcoming lightweight tournament, which will crown the promotion’s inaugural 155-pound champion. If Newell does indeed enter that tournament, he’ll have a chance to prove once and for all that he’s truly a UFC-caliber fighter.

Why, you ask? Well, simply because the tournament is stacked with top international lightweights including a number of UFC veterans. Dan Lauzon will be in the tournament, as will the winner of an excellent WSOF 4 match up between Tyson Griffin and Gesias Calvacante.

Of course, all this doesn’t sit so well with Keon Caldwell’s camp, who tell MMA Junkie that they are worried of unfair treatment from the WSOF. While Newell has been publicly guaranteed a spot in the lightweight tournament if he’s victorious this weekend, Caldwell has been given no such offer. (“I just think they’re on the Nick Newell hype train,” said Caldwell’s trainer Richard Cox.)

Also fighting this Saturday will be kickboxing star Tyrone Spong, who will be headlining WSOF 4 against California-bred knockout artist Angel DeAnda. It will be Spong’s second World Series of Fighting appearance following his beat-down of Travis Bartlett in November. You can check out a lil’ video of Spong hitting people and acting cocky after the jump. Above, you can enjoy a mini documentary show on Newell’s life that takes you inside his camp, family, and home.


(Learn more about lightweight rising star Nick Newell and the challenges he’s overcome | Video via MMA World Series Youtube page)

We’ve been following lightweight prospect Nick Newell’s unlikely and inspiring career for some time now here at CagePotato, and this Saturday he makes his next big move at the World Series of Fighting 4 event in Ontario, California. Newell will face TUF veteran Keon Caldwell.

Even though Newell hasn’t yet won his WSOF debut, the promotion announced that a win over Caldwell would earn Newell a spot in its upcoming lightweight tournament, which will crown the promotion’s inaugural 155-pound champion. If Newell does indeed enter that tournament, he’ll have a chance to prove once and for all that he’s truly a UFC-caliber fighter.

Why, you ask? Well, simply because the tournament is stacked with top international lightweights including a number of UFC veterans. Dan Lauzon will be in the tournament, as will the winner of an excellent WSOF 4 match up between Tyson Griffin and Gesias Calvacante.

Of course, all this doesn’t sit so well with Keon Caldwell’s camp, who tell MMA Junkie that they are worried of unfair treatment from the WSOF. While Newell has been publicly guaranteed a spot in the lightweight tournament if he’s victorious this weekend, Caldwell has been given no such offer. (“I just think they’re on the Nick Newell hype train,” said Caldwell’s trainer Richard Cox.)

Also fighting this Saturday will be kickboxing star Tyrone Spong, who will be headlining WSOF 4 against California-bred knockout artist Angel DeAnda. It will be Spong’s second World Series of Fighting appearance following his beat-down of Travis Bartlett in November. You can check out a lil’ video of Spong hitting people and acting cocky after the jump. Above, you can enjoy a mini documentary show on Newell’s life that takes you inside his camp, family, and home.

– Elias Cepeda

Nick Newell Draws Keon Caldwell for August 10th WSOF Debut


(From left to right: Newell, and a Google Image Search result for “Black Assassin.” See, now *that* would be a competitive fight. / Nick photo courtesy of WSOF via MMAWeekly)

Looks like the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) is serious about grooming and spotlighting recent signee Nick Newell. The lightweight prospect has been matched up with former Ultimate Fighter Season 13 competitor Keon “The Black Assassin” Caldwell at WSOF 4: Spong vs. DeAnda, August 10th at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.

If you remember Keon Caldwell at all, it’s probably not in a good way. He’s the guy who voluntarily left TUF 13 shortly after arriving, a decision we thought was career suicide at the time. Caldwell has only competed once since then, scoring a TKO win over Jonathan Baldree, in July 2011. Caldwell has a 9-1 record overall, but most of his wins have come over fighters with losing records, and again, he hasn’t fought in nearly two years. Yikes. Our condolences go out to Caldwell’s family.

The undefeated Newell has yet to fight in 2013 but is coming off two straight first round finish wins, which brought his pro record to 9-0. The former XFC lightweight champion signed with the World Series of Fighting in hopes that he would get tougher fights against top lightweight free-agents, and eventually get signed by the UFC. This booking doesn’t exactly accomplish that.


(From left to right: Newell, and a Google Image Search result for “Black Assassin.” See, now *that* would be a competitive fight. / Nick photo courtesy of WSOF via MMAWeekly)

Looks like the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) is serious about grooming and spotlighting recent signee Nick Newell. The lightweight prospect has been matched up with former Ultimate Fighter Season 13 competitor Keon “The Black Assassin” Caldwell at WSOF 4: Spong vs. DeAnda, August 10th at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.

If you remember Keon Caldwell at all, it’s probably not in a good way. He’s the guy who voluntarily left TUF 13 shortly after arriving, a decision we thought was career suicide at the time. Caldwell has only competed once since then, scoring a TKO win over Jonathan Baldree, in July 2011. Caldwell has a 9-1 record overall, but most of his wins have come over fighters with losing records, and again, he hasn’t fought in nearly two years. Yikes. Our condolences go out to Caldwell’s family.

The undefeated Newell has yet to fight in 2013 but is coming off two straight first round finish wins, which brought his pro record to 9-0. The former XFC lightweight champion signed with the World Series of Fighting in hopes that he would get tougher fights against top lightweight free-agents, and eventually get signed by the UFC. This booking doesn’t exactly accomplish that.

WSOF has to be expecting that they’ll be able to showcase Newell kicking somebody’s ass in his debut fight for them, by pairing him against Caldwell. Newell’s overcoming of his disability — he was born with only one fully-developed arm — as well as his dynamic fighting style and penchant for winning violently make him a potential star for the burgeoning organization.

WSOF 4 will also feature President Ray Sefo’s stunt-fight against Dave Huckaba, Tyson Griffin vs. Gesias Cavalcante, and Gerald Harris vs. Jorge Santiago.

What do you say, Nation? Will Newell continue to shine at WSOF and will he eventually get a shot at the UFC?

– Elias Cepeda

Nick Newell Signs Multi-Fight Contract With World Series of Fighting


(Newell chokes out Eric Reynolds at XFC 21 last December. Photo courtesy of Brian Siskind via facebook.com/nicknewellmma)

World Series of Fighting officials have confirmed with MMAFighting.com that they’ve signed undefeated lightweight and former XFC champion Nick Newell to an exclusive multi-fight contract. Newell’s debut date and first opponent haven’t been announced yet, although WSOF executive vice president Ali Abdel-Aziz suggested that Notorious Nick’s promotional debut will likely happen in August or September.

After leaving the XFC to seek out higher-profile opponents, Newell fielded offers from “everyone but the UFC” before coming to terms with World Series of Fighting. If Newell’s goal was to fight a higher caliber of 155-pound talent, it seems like he made the right decision; WSOF’s third event scheduled for June 14th features Jacob Volkmann, Lyle Beerbohm, Dan Lauzon, Brian Cobb, and Justin Gaethje, all of whom could be a solid test for Newell later this year.

World Series of Fighting is planning to host future events on August 10th and September TBA, featuring the semifinals of a four-man middleweight tournament.

Previously: Nick Newell Gives His Side of the Story Regarding XFC Fallout, Explains Why He Never Accepted Fight Against Scott Holtzman


(Newell chokes out Eric Reynolds at XFC 21 last December. Photo courtesy of Brian Siskind via facebook.com/nicknewellmma)

World Series of Fighting officials have confirmed with MMAFighting.com that they’ve signed undefeated lightweight and former XFC champion Nick Newell to an exclusive multi-fight contract. Newell’s debut date and first opponent haven’t been announced yet, although WSOF executive vice president Ali Abdel-Aziz suggested that Notorious Nick’s promotional debut will likely happen in August or September.

After leaving the XFC to seek out higher-profile opponents, Newell fielded offers from “everyone but the UFC” before coming to terms with World Series of Fighting. If Newell’s goal was to fight a higher caliber of 155-pound talent, it seems like he made the right decision; WSOF’s third event scheduled for June 14th features Jacob Volkmann, Lyle Beerbohm, Dan Lauzon, Brian Cobb, and Justin Gaethje, all of whom could be a solid test for Newell later this year.

World Series of Fighting is planning to host future events on August 10th and September TBA, featuring the semifinals of a four-man middleweight tournament.

Previously: Nick Newell Gives His Side of the Story Regarding XFC Fallout, Explains Why He Never Accepted Fight Against Scott Holtzman

Former UFC Contender Tyson Griffin Signs With World Series of Fighting


(Griffin pops Nik Lentz a good one at UFC 123. / Photo via Getty Images)

From Anthony Johnson and Jon Fitch to Josh Burkman and Miguel Torres, World Series of Fighting seems to have no problem with raiding the UFC’s leftovers for usable scrap. Their latest acquisition is Tyson Griffin, the tenacious lightweight/featherweight contender who spent five years in the UFC — and collected five Fight of the Night bonuses along the way — before being cut in October 2011 following a 1-4 stretch that ended in a blown weight-cut and knockout loss to Bart Palaszewski.

Griffin announced the news of his World Series of Fighting signing this morning via twitter, saying that he hopes to compete on WSOF’s August card (date/venue TBA); Griffin’s opponent hasn’t been confirmed yet. Currently training at American Kickboxing Academy, the 29-year-old last competed in November 2012, scoring a unanimous decision over fellow UFC castoff Efrain Escudero in the headliner of Resurrection Fighting Alliance 4 in Las Vegas.

Semi-related: Light-heavyweight kickboxing ace Tyrone Spong has been forced out of his WSOF 3 co-headlining matchup against Angel DeAnda due to visa issues. His return will likely be postponed to the promotion’s August card. Wait a minute…are you thinking what I’m thinking? WSOF 4: Spong vs. Griffin. It’s not like they’re above a good freak show.


(Griffin pops Nik Lentz a good one at UFC 123. / Photo via Getty Images)

From Anthony Johnson and Jon Fitch to Josh Burkman and Miguel Torres, World Series of Fighting seems to have no problem with raiding the UFC’s leftovers for usable scrap. Their latest acquisition is Tyson Griffin, the tenacious lightweight/featherweight contender who spent five years in the UFC — and collected five Fight of the Night bonuses along the way — before being cut in October 2011 following a 1-4 stretch that ended in a blown weight-cut and knockout loss to Bart Palaszewski.

Griffin announced the news of his World Series of Fighting signing this morning via twitter, saying that he hopes to compete on WSOF’s August card (date/venue TBA); Griffin’s opponent hasn’t been confirmed yet. Currently training at American Kickboxing Academy, the 29-year-old last competed in November 2012, scoring a unanimous decision over fellow UFC castoff Efrain Escudero in the headliner of Resurrection Fighting Alliance 4 in Las Vegas.

Semi-related: Light-heavyweight kickboxing ace Tyrone Spong has been forced out of his WSOF 3 co-headlining matchup against Angel DeAnda due to visa issues. His return will likely be postponed to the promotion’s August card. Wait a minute…are you thinking what I’m thinking? WSOF 4: Spong vs. Griffin. It’s not like they’re above a good freak show.