In a sport that provides show upon show almost every weekend, November 3rd, 2012 seems a long time ago. That is the night that decorated kickboxer Tyrone Spong made his MMA debut. The night that Marlon Moraes replaced Miguel Torres as the fighter World Series of Fighting were going to hang their bantamweight hat on. It was the night that Anthony Johnson and Andrei Arlovski — who you may remember from the recent UFC 187 — continued to rebuild their careers with first round victories.
That was World Series of Fighting’s debut event. I would love to say at this point that they have come a long way since. I’m not sure that I can. Still, they return on Friday night with a four fight main card that promises plenty, including two title fights. Sports Events Guide MMA crew have you covered with our staff picks for Friday’s intriguing WSOF 21 main card.
WSOF Featherweight Championship – Lance Palmer (c) vs Chris Horodecki
Picking Palmer: Stephen Rivers, Moe Fuggahn, Stephanie Schneider, Trent Dozier, Jon Shipman, Michael Hutchinson
Picking Horodecki: None
Schneider: “I like Lance Palmer over Chris Horodecki. Horodecki is no slouch and he hasn’t lost many fights, those that he has lost have been to very good fighters, like Anthony Njokuani and Donald Cerrone. He also has more experience than Lance Palmer but now Palmer is training with Team Alpha Male and training more in particular with Joseph Benavidez. No doubt this has helped him fine tune his rough areas and improve where he was already pretty good, submitting people via chokes. This is going to be a good fight, but Palmer gets the win.”
WSOF Heavyweight Championship – Smealinho Rama (c) vs Blagoi Ivanov
Picking Rama: Moe Fuggahn, Stephanie Schneider, Jon Shipman, Michael Hutchinson
Picking Ivanov: Stephen Rivers, Trent Dozier
Rivers: “More than anything I’m pleased to see Ivanov back in the cage after more than a year, following a disappointing defeat to Alexander Volkov. As far as non-UFC heavyweight fights with relevance to the division, this is about as good as it gets at this point. Rama is an exciting prospect in a division that desperately needs them, but his striking defense is a work in progress that might never be completed. While that is far from his biggest concern against Ivanov, it could allow his opponent to connect as he works his way onto the inside. From there Ivanov is capable of dragging the fight to the mat where I believe he submits the 23-year-old champion.”
Hakeem Dawodu vs Chuka Willis
Picking Dawodu: Stephen Rivers, Moe Fuggahn, Stephanie Schneider, Trent Dozier, Jon Shipman
Picking Willis: Michael Hutchinson
Fuggahn: “This is the fight I am most looking forward to on this card. Dawodu is one of the brightest stars on the WSOF roster. The 23 year old has a ton of athleticism and big power for the division. Dawodu will be tested by another young undefeated fighter in Willis but I expect Dawodu to ace this test in spectacular fashion.”
Rivers: “I don’t want to discredit Willis too much, but this seems like another stepping stone on the path to a notable career for Dawodu. He looks stronger and more athletic, and his kickboxing is on point. I can see him making it a perfect five finishes from his first five pro fights.”
Mark Drummond vs Michael Hill
Picking Drummond: Moe Fuggahn, Michael Hutchinson
Picking Hill: Stephen Rivers, Stephanie Schneider, Trent Dozier, Jon Shipman
Fuggahn: “These fighters will be trying to establish themselves in a terribly weak welterweight division. Drummond has an athletic advantage and look for him to utilize that advantage en route to a victory.”
Rivers: “Drummond may well be the better athlete, but I think we have a greater understanding of Hill’s level of ability at this point, having faced stiffer competition. I’m not expecting it to be exciting, but I do expect him to get the win.”
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