Even though there were no UFC events over the weekend, there was plenty of mixed atrial arts action for fans to enjoy.
At World Series of Fighting 9 Saturday in Las Vegas, disgraced former UFC standout Rousimar Palhares made his WSOF debut a successful one.
Palhares submitted Steve Carl to win the promotion’s welterweight title. He took Carl down immediately and locked in an inverted heel hook that forced a tap just 69 seconds into the first round of their main event scrap. The 34-year-old is now 2-0 since dropping to the 170-pound division. Ten of his 16 career wins have come via form of leg lock.
The Brazilian was released by the UFC in October when he submitted Mike Pierce in 31 seconds with his patented heel hook. Pierce tapped immediately, but Palhares did not let go of the hold as his opponent screamed in pain. After the incident, which was not the first time Palhares had done something like that in the Octagon, UFC president Dana White said Palhares would never fight in the UFC again.
In the co-main event, Marlon Moraes dominated Josh Rettinghouse to win the inaugural WSOF bantamweight title. Moraes chopped down Rettinghouse with powerful leg kicks throughout the bout en route to a unanimous decision win.
Also on the card, longtime UFC middleweight contender Yushin Okami picked up a submission win in his promotional debut over Svetlozar Savov.
Here are the complete results from WSOF 9:
MAIN CARD
— Rousimar Palhares def. Steve Carl by submission (heel hook)
— Marlon Moraes def. Josh Rettinghouse by unanimous decision
— Yushin Okami def. Svetlozar Savov by submission (arm-triangle)
— Josh Burkman def. Tyler Stinson by knockout
— Johnny Nunez def. Ozzy Dugulubgov by split decision
PRELIMINARY CARD
— Mike Corey def. Shane Kruchten by submission (rear-naked choke)
— Bryson Hansen def. Sean Cantor by TKO
— Chris Gruetzemacher def. John Gunderson by unanimous decision
— Brenson Hansen def. Boostayre Nefarios by unanimous decision
— Danny Davis def. Phil Dace by unanimous decision
— Gil Guardado def. Jimmy Spicuzza by submission (rear-naked choke)
Bellator 114
On Friday, Alexander Shlemenko defended his middleweight title with a submission win over Brennan Ward in the main event of Bellator 114. Shlemenko improved his pro record to an astounding 50-7; it was his 13th consecutive win.
Brett Cooper knocked out TUF 3 winner Kendall Grove in a middleweight tournament semifinal bout. Grove has lost four of his last six bouts and is 7-5 since being released by the UFC in 2011.
Also, Daniel Weichel beat Matt Bessette by unanimous decision and Desmond Green topped Will Martinez by unanimous decision to advance to the featherweight and welterweight finals, respectively.
Here are the complete results from Bellator 114:
MAIN CARD
— Alexander Shlemenko def. Brennan Ward by submission (guillotine)
— Daniel Weichel def. Matt Bessette by unanimous decision
— Desmond Green def. Will Martinez by unanimous decision
— Brett Cooper def. Kendall Grove by knockout
PRELIMINARY CARD
— Rad Martinez def. Edson Berto by unanimous decision
— Justin Wilcox def. Jason Fischer by unanimous decision
— Bubba Jenkins def. Sean Powers by unanimous decision
— Linton Vassell def. Trevor Carlson by submission (rear-naked choke)
— Gavin Sterritt def. Mike Estus by submission (guillotine choke)
— Joe Rodriguez def. Eric Wahlin by submission (arm-triangle choke)
