Tag Archives: Alexandre Almeida

WSOF32: MORAES VS. HILL II UNDERCARD COMPLETE WITH NINE BOUTS FEATURING SEATTLE, WASH. AREA PROSPECTS

UNBEATEN FEATHERWEIGHTS
HAKEEM DAWODU AND MARAT MAGOMEDOV
TOP THE NINE-FIGHT UNDERCARD

UNDERCARD STREAMS LIVE ON WSOF.COM,
MAIN CARD AIRS LIVE ON NBCSN
FROM EVERETT, WASH. ON SATURDAY, JULY 30

LAS VEGAS (July 12, 2016) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today the completion of a nine-fight preliminary card for the highly-anticipated WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill II, world championship doubleheader that airs live on NBCSN at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT from XFINITY Arena in Everett, Wash. on Saturday, July 30.

The preliminary card will stream live, in its entirety, beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT, on an embeddable video player on WSOF.com.

Joining the previously announced, headlining featherweight (145 pounds) preliminary card showdown between undefeated, rising stars Hakeem Dawodu (5-0-1) of Calgary, Alberta, Canada and Marat Magomedov (7-0-1) of Dagestan, Russia, are 8 fights stacked with a collection of 12 local upstarts.

“We have a phenomenal fight card in store for fans for our debut in Washington State, and are looking forward to touching down in Everett, and seeing some of the best prospects in the area, and potential, future World Series of Fighting athletes in action,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

In a featured, middleweight (185 pounds) preliminary card battle, Rex “T-Rex” Harris (9-2) will put a five-fight win streak on the line against undefeated Nicolai “Blanka” Salchow (6-0).

The 33-year-old Harris of West Pittston, Pa. is a perfect 2-0, to date, inside the World Series of Fighting decagon cage.  In his last start at WSOF30 onApril 2, he earned a unanimous decision over Clinton Williams.

Salchow of Dusseldorf, Germany is a 32-year-old finisher who has been taken the distance of a fight only once since turning pro in 2004.  He is coming off a first round (2:25) TKO (punches) of Steve Montgomery on May 7.

In another middleweight preliminary card contest and rematch, Alfonso “Big Smooth” Gonzales (9-1) of Tacoma, Wash. and Thomas Hoeper (4-2) of Arlington, Wash. will revisit their first meeting that took place on September 26, 2015 and ended with Gonzales scoring a second round (1:29) TKO (punches) on Hoeper.

Elsewhere on the undercard, recent World Series of Fighting signee and former K-1 star Andrews Nakahara (4-3-2) of Mogi Das Cruzes, Brazil will make his promotional debut against Travis “The Praying Mantis” Doerge(5-8) of Renton, Wash. in a welterweight (170 pounds) bout.

Unbeaten prospects Patrick Benson (2-0) of McKenna, Wash. and Brett Malone (1-0) of Marysville, Wash. will put their perfect records on the line against each other in a lightweight (155) matchup.

Also at lightweight, Matt Coble (9-7) of Bellingham, Wash. will collide with Colt Hausauer (5-4) of Eastsound, Wash.

Following a stellar, near perfect amateur career during which he amassed an overall record of 10-1, 28-year-old Tycen “Shin To Chin” Lynn of Everett will make his highly-anticipated professional debut in a bantamweight (135 pounds) matchup with 23-year-old, fellow upstart Justin Hugo (1-1) of Everett.

In heavyweight action, Matt “The Attack” Kovacs (11-13) of Everett will face off with Bill Widler (9-6) of Redding, Calif.

Kicking off the WSOF32 preliminary bout card will be a bantamweight contest between Jon Marc Cortez (0-2) of Renton and Joe Elea (0-1) of Everett.

Priced from $29, tickets for WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill II are on sale at XFINITYArenaEverett.com and WSOF.com.

In the world bantamweight (135 pounds) championship main event, Marlon Moraes (16-4-1) will defend his coveted title for the second time against Josh “Gentleman” Hill (14-1) while, in the co-main event and a second world championship rematch, Alexandre “Capitao” Almeida (18-5) will put his featherweight (145 pounds) belt on the line against the fighter he took it from –Lance Palmer (10-2).

Doors at XFINITY Arena Everett will open at 3:30 p.m. PT for WSOF32, and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 4:00 p.m.

WSOF32: MORAES VS. HILL II

MAIN CARD (Live on NBCSN)

World Series of Fighting Bantamweight Championship Main Event:
Marlon Moraes (Champion) vs. Josh Hill (Challenger)

World Series of Fighting Featherweight Championship Co-Main Event:
Alexandre Almeida (Champion) vs. Lance Palmer (Challenger)

Catchweight (162 pounds):  Caros Fodor vs. Phoenix Jones
Middleweight:  Phil Hawes vs. Louis Taylor

PRELIMINARY CARD (Live on WSOF.com)

Featherweight: Hakeem Dawodu vs. Marat Magomedov
Middleweight: Rex Harris vs. Nicolai Salchow
Welterweight: Andrews Nakahara vs. Travis Doerge
Middleweight: Alfonso Gonzales vs. Thomas Hoeper
Heavyweight:  Matt Kovacs vs. Bill Widler
Lightweight:  Patrick Benson vs. Brett Malone
Lightweight:  Matt Coble vs. Colt Hausauer
Bantamweight: Justin Hugo vs. Tycen Lynn
Bantamweight:  Jon Marc Cortez vs. Joe Elzea

UNDEFEATED PHIL HAWES REPLACES SHAMIL GAMZATOV AGAINST LOUIS TAYLOR AT WSOF32: MORAES VS. HILL II

Fresh off his promotional debut victory, undefeated middleweight Phil Hawes (left) will return to the World Series of Fighting cage to face Louis Taylor on Saturday, July 30, live on NBCSN at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT from the XFINITY Arena in Everett, Wash. Photo credit: Ryan Loco/World Series of Fighting

LIVE ON NBCSN FROM EVERETT, WASH.
ON SATURDAY, JULY 30

LAS VEGAS (June 29, 2016) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today that undefeated, top prospect Phil Hawes (4-0) will make a quick turnaround and step back in the decagon cage just six weeks after his promotional debut, and will square off with Louis “Put The Guns Down” Taylor (12-3) in a middleweight (185 pounds) contest at WSOF32, live on NBCSN at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT from XFINITY Arena in Everett, Wash. on Saturday, July 30.

Hawes of Little Ferry, N.J. will replace Shamil Gamzatov, another undefeated, rising star in the World Series of Fighting stable, after Gamzatov was forced to withdraw from the commitment due to a personal issue.

“We hope to see Shamil back in action soon, and we salute Phil Hawes for having the courage and willpower to return to action less than two months after his first fight with us,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

In his first start for World Series of Fighting on June 17, the 6-foot, 27-year-old Hawes made quick work of Joshua Key, scoring a first round (2:52) TKO on Key with a series of elbow strikes.

A product of the Jackson-Winklejohn camp in Albuquerque, N.M., Hawes was a 2009 junior college national wrestling champion for Iowa Central Community College, also the alma mater of Jackson-Winklejohn teammate and UFC champion Jon “Bones” Jones.

Taylor of Chicago, Ill. is a 5-foot-11, 37-year-old, battle-tested veteran of World Series of Fighting, Strikeforce and Bellator, and a devastating finisher who has earned 11 of his 12 career wins by way of (T)KO or submission.

In his last start and debut for World Series of Fighting on March 12, Taylor extended his win streak to five consecutive bouts by submitting Cory Develain just 29 seconds with a guillotine choke.

Priced from $29, tickets for WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill II are on sale at XFINITYArenaEverett.com and WSOF.com.

In the world bantamweight (135 pounds) championship main event, Marlon Moraes 16-4-1) will defend his coveted title for the second time against Josh “Gentleman” Hill (14-1) while, in the co-main event and a second world championship rematch, Alexandre “Capitao” Almeida (18-5) will put his featherweight (145 pounds) belt on the line against the fighter he took it from –Lance Palmer (10-2).

In other action on the live NBCSN telecast, costumed crime fighter Phoenix Jones (6-1-1) aka Ben Fodor of Seattle, Wash. will look to settle his rivalry with adopted brother Caros “The Future” Fodor (10-5) of Seattle in a 162-pound catchweight affair.

Unbeaten featherweights Hakeem “Mean” Dawodu (5-0-1) and Marat Magomedov (7-0-1) will square off in a preliminary card bout.

Additional preliminary card bouts for WSOF32 will be announced soon.

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING FINALIZES MAIN CARD FOR WSOF32 WITH SHAMIL GAMZATOV VS. LOUIS TAYLOR

LIVE ON NBCSN FROM EVERETT, WASH.
ON SATURDAY, JULY 30

Plus undefeated featherweight rivals
Hakeem Dawodu and Marat Magomedov collide
in preliminary card rematch

LAS VEGAS (May 27, 2016) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today the completion of the live NBCSN (10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT) televised portion of its WSOF32 world championship doubleheader, with the addition of a middleweight (185 pounds) contest between undefeated sensation Shamil Gamzatov (10-0) and red-hot finisher Louis “Put The Guns Down” Taylor  (12-3).

In addition, the league announced the first WSOF32 preliminary bout, a much-anticipated rematch between a pair of unbeaten featherweight (145 pound) rivals in Hakeem “Mean” Dawodu (5-0-1) and Marat Magomedov (7-0-1).

WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill II takes place at Xfinity Arena at Everett on Saturday, July 30.  In the world bantamweight (135 pounds) championship main event, reigning kingpin Marlon Moraes (16-4) will risk his title for the second time against challenger Josh “Gentleman” Hill (14-1).

Since he made his professional debut with a second round (1:35) TKO (punches) on Murat Aibazov on January 30, 2012, the 6-foot-2, 25-year-old Gamzatov of Dagestan, Russia has been an unstoppable force, defeating all of his opponents by way of either (T)KO or submission in either the first or second round of action.

In his last start and debut inside the World Series of Fighting decagon on January 23, Gamzatov scored a thunderous, first round (2:32) TKO (punches) on Teddy Holder.

The 5-foot-11, 37-year-old Taylor of Chicago, Ill. is riding a five-fight win streak that he ignited on December 14, 2012 with a first round (4:12) KO (punch) on Joe Vedepo.

Taylor, who has earned 11 of his 12 career wins via (T)KO or submission, made an explosive promotional debut for World Series of Fighting in his last appearance at WSOF29 on March 12, finishing Cory Devela in just 29 seconds with a guillotine choke submission.

A protégé of famed Muay Thai trainer Mike Miles, the 5-foot-8, 24-year-old Dawodu of Calgary, Alberta, Canada launched his professional career inside the World Series of Fighting decagon on February 21, 2014 when he scored a first round (1:07) KO (punch) on Behrang Yousefi.

Following his successful debut, Dawodu claimed four consecutive victories – all by way of (T)KO – under the World Series of Fighting banner, before facing off with Magomedov last December 18.  Following three rounds of battle, the fight was declared a majority draw.

The 5-foot-8, 25-year-old Magomedov of Dagestan is a combat Sambo specialist who has claimed all but one of his wins by way of submission, beginning with his professional debut on July 1, 2011 when he forced Dzhambulat Magomedov to tap out from a triangle choke in the first round (3:40) of their matchup.

Additional preliminary card bouts for WSOF32 will be announced soon.

Priced from $29, tickets for WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill II are on sale at XFINITYArenaEverett.com and WSOF.com.

In the world featherweight championship co-main event, Alexandre “Capitao” Almeida (18-5) will defend his title for the first time against the fighter he took it from – Lance Palmer (10-2).

In other action on the live NBCSN telecast, costumed crime fighter Phoenix Jones (6-1-1) aka Ben Fodor of Seattle, Wash. will look to settle his rivalry with adopted brother Caros “The Future” Fodor (10-5) of Seattle in a 162-pound catchweight affair.

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING ADDS  SECOND TITLE FIGHT AND NEW MAIN EVENT BETWEEN MARLON MORAES AND JOSH HILL TO WSOF32 ON SATURDAY, JULY 30

Reigning world bantamweight champion Marlon Moraes will put his title on the line against Josh Hill for the second time, in the new main event of WSOF32 on Saturday, July 30, live on NBCSN at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.

LIVE ON NBCSN FROM EVERETT, WASH.

LAS VEGAS (May 10, 2016) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) has announced a new main event and second championship rematch between reigning bantamweight (135 pounds) kingpin Marlon Moraes (16-4-1) and streaking challenger Josh “Gentleman” Hill (14-1), for its stacked Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event at XFINITY Arena at Everett on Saturday, July 30, live on NBCSN at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.

The highly-anticipated world featherweight (145 pounds) title fight and second showdown between Alexandre “Capitao” Almeida (18-5) and the man he took the title from – Lance Palmer (10-2) – will now serve as the co-main event of WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill II.

“The magnitude of this event has increased dramatically with the addition of a second world title fight and rematch between Marlon Moraes, who has been unstoppable, in the cage, and one of the most formidable and talented contenders in the world in Josh Hill” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

The second meeting between Moraes and Hill comes 17 months after the two superstars went the five-round distance of their championship main event fight at WSOF18 on February 12, 2015, with Moraes successfully defending his coveted title by way of unanimous decision.

The 5-foot-6, 28 year-old Moraes of Howell, N.J. via Nova Friburgo, Brazil is a former Muay Thai champion and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt whose reign of terror in the 135-pound division has been ongoing since the end of 2011, when he ignited a win streak that has spanned 11 straight fights, including 3 defenses of his World Series of Fighting title.

In his last start and third title defense at WSOF28 on February 20, Moraes, who captured the World Series of Fighting crown with a unanimous decision overJosh Rettinghouse on March 29, 2014, needed just 1 minute and 13 seconds to score a brutal TKO on Joseph Barajas with a series of rapid-fire leg kicks.

Since the first meeting with Moraes, his only loss to date, the 5-foot-6, 29-year-old Hill of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada has rebounded with four straight victories, a streak that Hill started with a third round (2:01) submission (rear-naked choke) of Rettinghouse on May 30, 2015.

Hill is coming off of a unanimous decision win over Bendy Casimir on April 9, in a bout that took place in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada.

Priced from $29, tickets for WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill II are on sale at XFINITYArenaEverett.com and WSOF.com.

In other action on the live NBCSN telecast, costumed crusader Phoenix Jones(6-1-1) aka Ben Fodor of Seattle, Wash. will look to settle his rivalry with adopted brother Caros “The Future” Fodor (10-5) of Seattle in a 162-pound catchweight affair.

Additional bouts for WSOF32: Moraes vs. Hill II will be announced soon.

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING HITS EVERETT, WASHINGTON WITH STAR-STUDDED MEGA-EVENT

SATURDAY, JULY 30, LIVE ON NBCSN

FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP REMATCH:
ALEXANDRE ALMEIDA VS. LANCE PALMER

CO-MAIN EVENT:
FAMILY FEUD COMES TO A HEAD AS BROTHERS
PHOENIX JONES AND CAROS FODOR COLLIDE

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, MAY 6

LAS VEGAS (May 3, 2016) –World Series of Fighting (WSOF.com) announced today that it will head to Washington State for the first time ever with a star-studded Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) mega-event, headlined by a world featherweight (145 pounds) championship rematch between reigning kingpin Alexandre “Capitao” Almeida (18-5) and the man he took the title from – Lance Palmer (10-2) – at XFINITY Arena at Everett on Saturday, July 30, live on NBCSN at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.

Priced from $29, tickets for WSOF32: Almeida vs. Palmer go on sale at 10 a.m. PT on Friday, May 6, at XFINITYArenaEverett.com and WSOF.com.

In the co-main event, the long-standing and well-documented sibling rivalry between costumed crusader Phoenix Jones (6-1-1) aka Ben Fodor, and Caros “The Future” Fodor (10-5) will come to a head when the adopted brothers from Seattle face off against each other at a catchweight of 162 pounds.

“We are excited to make our debut in the great state of Washington with such a spectacular affair that will feature one of the most anticipated and well-deserved rematches of the year, as well as a something that you rarely see in combat sports – a matchup between family members whose competitive rivalry is so intense that, after so many years, it has resulted in the two agreeing to settle their differences in the cage,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

Additional bouts for WSOF32: Almeida vs. Palmer will be announced soon.

Alexandre Almeida vs. Lance Palmer

On December 18, the 5-foot-11, 27-year-old Almeida of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil notched his fifth consecutive win, seizing the World Series of Fighting featherweight title from Palmer of Sacramento, Calif. via a controversial, unanimous decision after Almeida used his significant height and reach advantage to continuously frustrate the 5-foot-6, 28-year-old Palmer for the duration of their five-round matchup.

The loss snapped a three-fight win streak for Palmer, who captured the featherweight strap when he submitted Rick Glenn with a rear-naked choke in the third round (3:09) of their matchup on December 13, 2014.

Phoenix Jones vs. Caros Fodor

Over the course of the last five years, Jones and Fodor of Seattle have each, on several occasions, gone on the record expressing their desires to fight one another, despite the fact that they grew up under the same roof and train in the same camp owned by head coach Matt Hume.

The 6-foot, 27-year-old Jones, whose local crime fighting escapades have made national headlines, will make his first start in the decagon cage since September 18 when he submitted Roberto Yong with a rarely seen, highlight reel scissor choke in the first round (3:09) of their meeting at WSOF23.

Fodor, a 5-foot-9, 32-year-old veteran of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Strikeforce, made his debut under the World Series of Fighting banner, after a five-fight stint with ONE in Asia, on January 23, losing a unanimous decision to Luiz Firmino in the main event of WSOF27.

During his seven-year professional career, Fodor, a former U.S. Marine who did battle in the Iraq War, has notched impressive wins over the likes of Team AKA member Justin Wilcox and Cung Le-trained James Terry.

WSOF26: Tyrone Spong Injured, Five Undercard Bouts Announced

Jake Heun (left) will square off with Clinton Williams in a WSOF26 preliminary card bout on Friday, Dec. 18.  Heun’s original opponent, Tyrone Spong, was forced to withdraw from the matchup due to injury.  Photo credit: Steve Bauzen/World Series of Fighting

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING
ANNOUNCES FIVE MATCHUPS FOR WSOF26 UNDERCARD
FRIDAY, DEC. 18 AT THE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS

TYRONE SPONG WITHDRAWS FROM WSOF26 DUE TO INJURY;
JAKE HEUN TO FACE CLINTON WILLIAMS 

Abubakar Nurmagomedov vs. Danny Davis, Jr. in welterweight undercard attraction
Hakeem Dawodu vs. Marat Magomedov in battle of undefeated featherweights
Andreas Spang vs. Shamil Gamzatov in light heavyweight matchup
Gil Guardado vs. Giga Chikadze in lightweight collision

Four-fight world championship main card airs live on NBCSN at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

LAS VEGAS (Dec. 2, 2015) – World Series of Fighting has announced five bouts for the preliminary card of its much-anticipated “WSOF26: Palmer vs. Almeida” world championship event at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Friday, Dec. 18, live on NBCSN, at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

In addition, an injury has forced Tyrone “King of the Ring” Spong to withdraw from his scheduled light heavyweight (205 pounds) co-main event bout with Jake Heun (7-4) of Coconut Creek, Fla., who will now face Clinton Williams (10-2) of Las Vegas in a preliminary card matchup.

The preliminary card will stream live in its entirety, on an embeddable video player on WSOF.com, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

Also featured on the undercard bill will be a welterweight (170 pounds) showdown between Abubakar Nurmagomedov, who will return to the decagon cage after a successful World Series of Fighting debut, to face Danny “Dee1” Davis, Jr.

Nurmagomedov (10-1) of Dagestan, Russia earned a unanimous decision overJorge Moreno at WSOF22 on August 1.  The bout marked the first time in his career that Nurmagomedov, whose previous nine victories all came by way of (T)KO or submission, required the judges’ scorecards to declare him the victor of a fight.

Davis Jr. (11-9-1) of Las Vegas is looking to return to the win column after a close, split decision loss to Matthew Frincu at WSOF23 on September 18, snapped a five-fight win streak that Davis, Jr. had been riding. The last three wins in Davis’ run all came under the World Series of Fighting banner.

In a light heavyweight (205 pounds) attraction, aggressive-minded finisherAndreas “Sweet Swede” Spang will battle undefeated wrecking machineShamil Gamzatov.

Fighting out of Las Vegas where he trains under guru “One Kick” Nick Blomgren, the 37-year-old Spang, who has earned six of nine career wins by way of (T)KO or submission, will enter the cage for the first time in 2015.  In his last effort, he notched a unanimous decision over J.A. Dudley on December 5, 2014.

Also making his first start of the year, the 25-year-old Gamzatov (9-0) of Makhachkala, Russia is the number four ranked light heavyweight in Ukraine.  To date, all of his victories have come by way of (T)KO or submission.

In a matchup between two fearsome, undefeated featherweights (145 pounds) rising stars, Hakeem “Mean” Dawodu will lock horns with Marat Magomedov.

Dawodu (5-0) of Calgary, Alberta, Canada is a 24-year-old protégé of renowned Muay Thai master Mike Miles and a five-time veteran of World Series of Fighting competition.  To date, Dawodu has scored (T)KO victories on all five of his opponents, including his last two adversaries – Tristan Johnson and Chuka Willis – whom he defeated by way of third round (1:59) TKO (punches) on February 12, and by way of second round (2:55) TKO (knees and elbows) on June 5, respectively.

Magomedov (7-0) of Dagestan, Russia is looking for his second win of 2015 after finishing Husanboy Ataghanov by way of first round (4:35) submission (rear-naked choke) on September 18.  The 25-year-old has been taken the distance of a fight only once, earning all six of his other career wins via submission.

In the opening WSOF26 preliminary card bout, Gil Guardado will mix it up withGiga Chikadze at lightweight.

Guardado (4-1) of Las Vegas is a 30-year-old member of Xtreme Couture’s fight team seeking his second win of the year after submitting Pete Martin with a guillotine choke in the first round (3:31) of their bout at WSOF22.  All four of Guardado’s wins to date have come by way of (T)KO or submission.

Chikadze (1-0) of Huntington Beach, Calif. via Tbisili, Georgia is a 27-year-old seasoned kickboxer who has twice competed for Glory where he holds a record of 1-1 and scored a first round KO on Ken Tran on May 8.

Priced from $29.99, tickets are available for purchase atwww.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com, www.WSOF.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

In the world championship featherweight main event, reigning kingpin Lance Palmer (10-1) will square off with submission expert Alexandre Almeida (17-5).

In other action on the four-bout, live NBCSN telecast, hard-hitting, rising star Ozzy Dugulubgov (7-2) will meet streaking submission ace Nic Herron-Webb (18-6) in a lightweight scrap.

Former World Series of Fighting championship challenger Josh “Gentleman” Hill (12-1) will collide with undefeated sensation Bekbulat Magomedov (16-0) in a bantamweight matchup.

Leading off the live NBCSN telecast will be a featherweight affair between accomplished KO artist Robbie “Problems” Peralta (18-6) who will make his World Series of Fighting debut against hard-hitting Muay Thai stylist Sheymon Moraes (7-1).

Doors at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will open for WSOF26 at 3 p.m. PT and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 3:30 p.m.

ABOUT WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING
“World Series of Fighting” (WSOF) is a worldwide premier professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering the best action-packed fights for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters from around the world. For more information please visit WSOF.com and follow “World Series of Fighting” on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries.  WSOF and World Series of Fighting are registered trademarks of MMAWC, LLC.

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING FINALIZES STAR-STUDDED WSOF26 MAIN CARD FOR FRIDAY, DEC. 18 AT THE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS, LIVE ON NBCSN

Featherweight Championship Main Event:
Lance Palmer (Champion) vs. Alexandre Almeida (Challenger)

Light Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Tyrone Spong vs. Jake Heun

Plus:
Lightweight: Ozzy Dugulubgov vs. Nic Herron-Webb
Bantamweight: Josh Hill vs. Bekbulat Magomedov
Featherweight: Robbie Peralta vs. Sheymon Moraes
LAS VEGAS (Nov. 24, 2015) – World Series of Fighting announced today that it has added three new bouts to complete the main card for “WSOF26: Palmer vs. Almeida,” which will be headlined by a world championship showdown between reigning featherweight kingpin Lance Palmer and Alexandre Almeida, at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Friday, Dec. 18, live on NBCSN, at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Joining the previously announced main event and light heavyweight co-main event between Tyrone “King of the Ring” Spong and Jake Heun, will be a lightweight (155 pounds) contest between aggressive-minded, rising star Ozzy Dugulubgov and submission wizard Nic “Naptime” Herron-Webb; a bantamweight matchup between wrestling phenom Josh “Gentleman” Hill and undefeated sensation Bekbulat Magomedov; and a featherweight (145 pounds) tilt between devastating strikers Robbie “Problems” Peralta and Sheymon Moraes.

“We are looking forward to closing out a year of incredible growth for World Series of Fighting with an exceptional lineup of world-class bouts featuring some of our most established superstars as well as several new faces that we recently welcomed to our roster and that we expect to make an immediate impact in our decagon cage,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

Priced from $29.99, tickets are available for purchase atwww.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com , www.WSOF.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

The complete WSOF26 preliminary bout card will be announced soon.  The card is subject to change.

Ozzy Dugulubgov vs. Nic Herron-Webb

The 26-year-old Dugulubgov (7-2) of Hackensack, N.J. is looking to notch his third consecutive win and second of 2015, following a first round (3:39) TKO (arm injury) of Lucas Montoya on April 10.  Prior to his latest conquest, Dugulubgov, a Renzo Gracie protégé that boasts a near-perfect record of 4-1 in World Series of Fighting competition, scored a highlight reel-worthy KO (punch) ofKeon Caldwell in the third round (1:38) of their matchup on September 13, 2014.

Herron-Webb (18-6) of Anchorage, Alaska is a 25-year-old, former welterweight (170 pounds) who has been fire, winning all four of his last bouts by way of submission, to arrive at his debut with World Series of Fighting.  To date, 14 of Herron-Webb’s 18 professional career wins have come by way of submission, 8 of which he produced inside the first round of battle.

Josh Hill vs. Bekbulat Magomedov

A former World Series of Fighting championship challenger, Hill (12-1) of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada went the distance with reigning bantamweight champion Marlon Moraes before finding himself on the losing end of a unanimous decision on February 12.

The 28-year-old has since re-grouped after what marked his first career defeat, and reeled off two consecutive wins outside of the World Series of Fighting decagon – a third round (2:01) submission (rear-naked choke) of Josh Rettinghouse on May 30, and a unanimous decision over Ion Vranceanu on August 31.

Magomedov (16-0) of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia, will risk his perfect record in the U.S. for the first time ever, after a run that has distinguished the 24-year-old Sambo champion as the number two ranked featherweight in Ukraine and the number seven ranked featherweight in Russia.

Of Magomedov’s 16 professional career victories, 8 have come by way of (T)KO and 3 have come by way of submission.

Robbie Peralta vs. Sheymon Moraes

Making his World Series of Fighting debut, Peralta (18-6, 1 NC) of Escondido, Calif. has served up several memorable moments in the cage with his punching power, notching 13 of his 18 professional career wins to date by way of (T)KO.  The 29-year-old made his first big mark in the sport on April 9, 2011 when he scored a major upset over then-DREAM champion Hiroyuki Takaya by way of split decision under the promotion of the now-defunct Strikeforce.

Moraes will look to rebound after suffering his first professional defeat at the hands of reigning World Series of Fighting champion Marlon Moraes on August 1.  Prior to the title fight, the dangerous 25-year-old member of Team Nogueira had appeared to be unstoppable, scoring (T)KO wins over four of his first seven opponents.

ABOUT WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING
“World Series of Fighting” (WSOF) is a worldwide premier professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering the best action-packed fights for fight fans by producing the best possible match-ups between elite fighters from around the world. For more information please visit WSOF.com and follow “World Series of Fighting” on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries.  WSOF and World Series of Fighting are registered trademarks of MMAWC, LLC.

ABOUT THE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is a luxury resort offering a decidedly different perspective. Located at the heart of The Strip, the resort’s uniquely vertical multi-tower design offers spectacular views of the vibrant city. The new 2,959-room resort features oversized residential-style living spaces with expansive, one-of-a-kind private terraces. The Cosmopolitan’s luxurious resort amenities include a 100,000 square foot casino; Sahra Spa & Hammam and Violet Hour Hair Nails Beauty; three unique pool experiences; Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub, a multi-level integrated indoor/outdoor nightclub; 150,000 square feet of state-of-the-art convention and meeting space; 40,000-square foot performance and event space The Chelsea; and modern supper club Rose. Rabbit. Lie. An eclectic line-up of new-to-market retailers include:  AllSaints Spitalfields, CRSVR Sneaker Boutique, DNA2050, Jason of Beverly Hills, Kidrobot, Molly Brown’s Swimwear, Rent the Runway, Retrospecs & Co, Skins 62 Cosmetics, Stitched and U*tique Shop. Signature restaurants include: Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill by restaurateurs Bruce and Eric Bromberg; Estiatorio Milos, by international restaurateur Costas Spiliadis; Holsteins from Block 16 Hospitality; Jaleo and China Poblano restaurants by acclaimed Chef José Andrés; Scarpetta and D.O.C.G. by award-winning Chef Scott Conant; and popular steakhouse STK from The ONE Group; bustling culinary food hall The Wicked Spoon; and The Henry, an all-day dining concept.

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WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING HITS THE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS WITH THE RETURN OF TYRONE SPONG FRIDAY, DEC. 18, LIVE ON NBCSN

Lance Palmer to defend world featherweight title

Tickets for WSOF 26 on sale Friday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. PST

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 14, 2015) – World Series of Fighting (WSOF) will head toThe Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for the first time ever with a star-studded, world championship event featuring the long-awaited return of Tyrone “King of the Ring” Spong as well as a title defense by reigning featherweight champion Lance Palmer, on Friday, Dec. 18, live on NBCSN at9 p.m. EST / 6 p.m. PST.

Spong (2-0 MMA, 2-0 boxing, 74-7-1, 1 NC, 46 KO’s kickboxing) of Boca Raton, Florida via Paramaribo, Suriname will face off with an opponent to be determined, and Palmer (10-1) will put his belt on the line against the winner of the WSOF 24 matchup between Alexandre Almeida (16-5) of Manaus, Brazil and Saul Almeida (18-5) of Boston, Mass.

Tickets to WSOF 26 go on-sale Friday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. PST. Priced at $119, $69 and $39, tickets will be available for purchase at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com , www.WSOF.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

“We are looking forward to making our debut at one of the finest venues in the fight capital of the world, and to another historic night of MMA action with the return of both Tyrone Spong, one of the sport’s hottest commodities, and Lance Palmer, a prolific world champion,” said World Series of Fighting PresidentRay Sefo.

At age 30, Spong’s appearance will bring an end to the phenom’s absence from competition that was prompted by a broken leg that he sustained in the kickboxing ring in April 2014.

A veteran of 87 professional bouts collectively across MMA, kickboxing and boxing, the one-of-a-kind Spong, who began his career as a protégé of retired K-1 kickboxing legend Ernesto Hoost, has devoted his life to becoming the first fighter to capture a major world championship in each combat sport.

Palmer, a member of superstar Urijah Faber’s Team Alpha Male fight squad, will risk his title for the second time since the 27-year-old seized the coveted championship from rival Rick “The Gladiator” Glenn in the co-main event of WSOF 16 on Dec, 13, 2014.

With the third round (3:09) submission (rear-naked choke) victory over Glenn, Palmer snapped Glenn’s incredible, unbeaten run that spanned 13 fights over four years.

Palmer, who owns six wins by way of submission, successfully defended his belt for the first time on June 5, forcing battle-tested veteran Chris Horodeckito tap out from a neck crank in the first round (4:28) of action.

Additional matchups for WSOF 26 will be announced soon. The card is subject to change.