(Lucas Noonan/WSOF)WSOF 23: What to Watch For RJ Gardner September 14, 2015 Events, Previews, Promotions, Spotlight, WSOF, WSOF Events Under the direction of legendary kickboxer, Ray “Sugarfoot” Sefo, the World Series of Fighting has become one of the top promotions in North American. While WSOF isn’t a real competitor to the UFC or even Bellator, they have a great stable of talent and their events are fun to watch. On Friday, Aug. 18, 2015, the WSOF will head to Comerica Theatre in Phoenix for World Series of Fighting 23: Gaethje vs. Palomino II. With two excellent title fights being offered up for free on NBCSN, the World Series of Fighting continues to treat fans to compelling and entertaining fight cards. Elite Russian Prospects Once again, the WSOF will feature two top Russian MMA prospects. First up on the undercard will be Vagab Vagabov; an undefeated middleweight out of Dagestan. At 15-0, this will be Vagabov’s first trip to compete in the US. Then on the main card exciting bantamweight Timur Valiev will take to the cage to continue building on his impressive nine fight winning streak. The Return of Phoenix Jones Ben Fodor – AKA masked crime fighter Phoenix Jones – will return to action on Friday night. A undefeated prospect who gained national fame as a masked vigilante made his WSOF debut this past April and was unceremoniously defeated. Now Fodor needs to make a statement with an impressive performance or he will find himself fighting crime once more. A Light Heavyweight Champion Will Be Crowned In the co-main event of the evening, current WSOF middleweight champion David Branch will take on light heavyweight tournament alternate Teddy Holder for the inaugural WSOF light heavyweight title. Regardless of his prior level of competition, Branch needs to take Holder seriously. At WSOF 19, Holder stepped up to take on Thiago Silva in the light heavyweight tournament semifinals and knocked the UFC veteran out in the very first round. Branch and Holder are both finishers and they are hungry for that title. This bout has a top of potential. The Rematch In the main event of the evening. undefeated lightweight champion Justin Gaethje will once again look to defend his title against tough, gritty veteran Luis Palomino. Their first bout back at WSOF 19 was a spectacular back and forth battle of wills and determination. Eventually, Gaethje was able to finish Palomino late in the third round but not before Palomino could land some punishing shots. If the rematch is half as good as their first meeting, fans will be in for a treat.
