World Series of Fighting 1 Results: ‘Arlovski vs. Cole’ Play-by-Play & Updates

World Series of Fighting Fight Card

• Andrei Arlovski vs. Devin Cole LATEST UPDATE
• Anthony Johnson vs. D.J. Linderman
• Miguel Torres vs. Marlon Moraes
• Tyrone Spong vs. Travis Bartlett
• Gregor Gracie vs. Tyson Steele
• Ronys Torres vs. Brian Cobb
• Steve Carl vs. Ramico Blackmon
• Josh Burkman vs. Gerald Harris
• Gesias Cavalcante vs. T.J. O'Brien
• David Branch vs. Dustin Jacoby

Sherdog.com will report from Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas at approximately 7:45 p.m. ET/4:45 p.m. PT with play-by-play and live results of World Series of Fighting, which is headlined by Andrei Arlovski vs. Devin Cole.

The WSOF prelims stream live and free on Sherdog.com.

Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card.

David Branch vs. Dustin Jacoby

Round 1
Referee Herb Dean is the third man in the cage for tonight’s first bout. Branch dives on a takedown but Jacoby stuffs the shot and reverses Branch into the fence, delivering a few knees before breaking off. Jacoby keeps his distance from the rangier man and connects with some solid low kicks and jabs. Branch shoots again and hits an easy takedown this time, quickly scooting Jacoby toward the fence. It’s a better spot for Jacoby, who uses the cage to work back to his feet. Branch won’t let go and pins Jacoby on the fence while driving a few knees to the body. Jacoby escapes the tie-up and manages a few more body kicks. Jacoby moves forward on Branch in the closing seconds but neither man lands any meaningful strikes.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Branch
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Branch
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Branch

Round 2
Jacoby comes out strong in round two, flicking out jabs and staggering Branch with a hard right hand. Branch is on his backfoot, looking to counter, but it’s Jacoby who lands a counter left after timing a Branch low kick. Jacoby turns away a single-leg attempt from Branch and continues pressing forward. The next takedown attempt gets Jacoby down, but only for a second. Branch tries to cling to Jacoby’s back and can’t hold on there either. Branch is starting to pump his jab late in the round as he moves out of the way of some lefts from Jacoby. A jab from Branch knocks Jacoby’s mouthpiece out and they resume with about 40 seconds remaining. Branch has a shot stuffed, sticks another jab and sidesteps a Jacoby head kick to finish the round.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Jacoby
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Jacoby
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Jacoby

Round 3
Branch denies a takedown from Jacoby and punishes him with an uppercut. It’s more of the same from the end of round two, with Jacoby pressing forward but Branch working long, straight punches. Again, Jacoby’s mouthpiece falls out after a jab from Branch. He shoots a double and Branch stands him up against the fence. A punch from Branch has opened a deep cut above Jacoby’s left eyebrow. Branch keeps circling on the outside, using head movement to dodge Jacoby’s winging strikes. The fight ends with Jacoby working for a single-leg as Branch sprawls against the fence.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Branch (29-28 Branch)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Branch (29-28 Branch)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Branch (29-28 Branch)

Official result: All three judges score the bout 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision, David Branch.

Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante vs. T.J. O'Brien

Round 1
Steve Mazzagatti is the referee for this lightweight bout. O’Brien manages to keep Cavalcante away with kicks for the first 30 seconds, then JZ soon shoots in and hits a double-leg takedown against the fence. O’Brien throws up his long legs, hunting for a triangle, but Cavalcante turns the tables and rolls for a leglock. O’Brien sits with his back to the fence while JZ cranks his right leg upside-down in a nasty heel hook. O’Brien is forced to tap out after just 63 seconds.

Josh Burkman vs. Gerald Harris

Round 1
Referee Chris Tognoni watches over this welterweight bout. Burkman takes the outside early and attacks Harris’ lead leg with kicks inside and outside. Burkman pins Harris on the fence but can’t wrestle him down, instead settling for some foot stomps. The second effort finds Burkman lifting Harris into the air and slamming him to the ground at the base of the fence. Burkman tries to extract his right leg from half-guard as he peppers with punches on top. Harris sits up and Burkman sprawls backward, keeping Harris on his seat with a front headlock. Good knees from Burkman as he drills the sitting Harris in the chest. Burkman is framing up a guillotine but Harris defends by peeling off the wrists and stands back up. Burkman side-kicks Harris’ knee and then flicks one at his face. Harris is pressing in but not letting his hands go, and Burkman seems happy to spend the last minute on the outside, flashing kicks and knees. With 20 seconds to go, Harris clinches up and puts Burkman on the fence. They trade knees inside and jockey for position as the round expires.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Burkman
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Burkman
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Burkman

Round 2
The welterweights pick up where they left off, pummeling against the fence. They break off after 30 seconds and Burkman takes the outside again, his hands at his waist, looking to counter. Harris isn’t throwing, though, and Burkman continues to wait. Burkman backs Harris off with a side kick then rushes him across the cage with a single-leg. Harris puts his back on the fence, still defending the takedown, and grabs a guillotine choke with his right arm. The choke looks deep but Burkman is defending well, using the cage at his back to relieve pressure.

Harris won’t let go and throws a few knees to the body before cranking the choke again. Burkman wags his finger behind Harris’ back, letting ref Tognoni know that he’s not in danger. One minute to go now and Burkman seems to have had enough, attacking Harris’ thighs with knees until Harris finally releases the choke. Burkman attacks with punches and head kicks before the horn but can’t connect.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Harris
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Harris
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Burkman

Round 3
Both men come out firing and Burkman is soon shooting on a single-leg. Harris turns it away but Burkman makes him pay with a right hand on the exit. Burkman paws at a cut over his right eye which may be affecting his vision. Harris traps Burkman against the fence and slugs him with a wide right hand. Harris can’t do much on the fence and lets Burkman go. Harris is coming forward, starting to rack up punches before putting Burkman on the cage. Again, nothing comes of it and Burkman breaks out. Two minutes to go and Burkman is back on the outside, flicking out kicks to the legs and body. Harris won’t stop coming forward and he pays for his aggression as Burkman floors him with about a minute left in the bout. Burkman grabs a headlock before Harris scrambles to his feet, only to be plowed down again by Burkman. Full mount now for Burkman, who has 20 seconds to try and finish. Harris gets to his feet with Burkman still attached to his back as time runs out.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Burkman (29-28 Burkman)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Burkman (29-28 Burkman)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Burkman (30-27 Burkman)

Official result: It's a unanimous decision with the judges scoring the contest 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27 for Josh Burkman.

Steve Carl def. Ramico Blackmon via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 2:11

Ronys Torres vs. Brian Cobb

Round 1
Torres catches Cobb below the belt with a kick right off the bat. Referee Herb Dean steps in and gives him time to recover. Cobb is ready in a few moments and they get back after it. Torres rushes in on Cobb and throws some ill-intentioned shots but Cobb is able to avoid the brunt of the punches. Cobb locks up Torres and launches him to the mat but can’t establish position. Torres reverses him and ends up on top. Cobb sinks a guillotine but Torres uses the cage to walk up and relieve the pressure. He escapes and goes back to work from the guard. Torres takes his back and pounds away until Cobb turns back into him. A few more punches force him back to his belly. Torres unloads on him from back mount and Cobb tries to go out the back door. Torres won’t let him loose and locks up an arm and searches for an inverted triangle as time expires on the first frame. Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 Torres.

Round 2
Torres comes out with a big uppercut that misses but he is not discouraged. He attacks Cobb with punches and he backs him into the cage. Cobb jumps to guard as much as Torres takes him down. Torres establishes position and strikes at his grounded opponent. Cobb tries to wriggle free but ends up giving up his back once again. Torres searches for the submission but Cobb is able to turn back into him and the scramble is on. Cobb grabs a guillotine but Torres easily defends. Torres lurches forward for a double-leg takedown but Cobb locks up a serious guillotine, it is deep. Cobb arches his back from top position but Torres finds some space and pulls his head free. Cobb still has the front headlock and proceeds to pound away until the horn. Sherdog.com scores the second round 10-9 Cobb.

Round 3
Torres takes Cobb down as the final and potentially deciding round commences. Cobb, with his back against the cage, works his way back to his feet and drops for a single-leg. Torres retreats and backs his way to the center of the cage. Cobb advances and the fighters clinch and trade short shots. Torres dives in for a double but Cobb sprawls and grabs a singe on his way up. He ends up in belly-to-back along the cage and tries to drag Torres to the mat. Torres breaks Cobb's grip and escapes. Torres lands a nice right hand and then shrugs his way out of a weak Cobb single-leg attempt but his back is on the cage and Cobb gets him to the ground on the re-shot. Torres is back up bit Cobb is on his back as Torres posts on his hands. Not much doing in the final 20 seconds and the horn sounds ending the affair. Sherdog.com scores round three 10-9 for Brian Cobb and the bout 29-28 in Cobb’s favor.

Official result: The official scores are 29-28 Cobb, 29-28 Torres and 29-28 for the winner by split decision, Brian Cobb.

Gregor Gracie vs. Tyson Steele

Round 1
Gracie and Steele circle the cage looking for an opening but neither fighter seems ready to commit. About a minute in Gracie charges in and grabs a single-leg and methodically works him to the mat. Gracie clears Steele’s guard and locks up an arm triangle but it isn’t tight enough. Gracie goes to the figure-four grip and Steele still manages to keep the blood flowing to his brain. Gracie goes to knee on belly and works for an arm but he can't secure it and Steele is free. Back on their feet it is all Steele. He lands punches at will and then drops Gracie with a knee. He pounces and bombs away until referee Chris Tognoni steps in to end the assault at 4:52 of the opening round.

Tyrone Spong vs. Travis Bartlett

Round 1
Spong stalks his opponent from the center of the cage, pushing Bartlett back toward the fence with a series of hard kicks to the body and one to the head. Spong launches himself into the air and drops Bartlett with another head kick. It looks as though Bartlett might be done but he recovers as Spong stands over him, kicking at Bartlett’s legs. Bartlett stands, his back still on the fence, now bleeding above his left ear. Spong makes Bartlett flinch with a body blow and circles out. Bartlett is just absorbing all of Spong’s punches and leg kicks, though the offense is sporadic as the round reaches the midway point. A pair of ripping right hands bloody Bartlett’s nose before two left hands land on his liver. A straight right hand on the cheek finally puts Bartlett down and Spong just strolls off, leaving ref Steve Mazzagatti to tend to the downed Bartlett. Tyrone Spong wins his MMA debut at 3:15 of the opening round.

Miguel Torres vs. Marlon Moraes

Round 1
Moraes has a high kick blocked, then catches a body kick from Torres and socks the former WEC champ in the face for his trouble. Moraes swarms with punches and the bantamweights clinch up. Torres rolls for a leglock which Moraes defends before scrambling back to his feet. Moraes lands a chopping outside low kick followed by a spinning kick to the breadbasket. Moraes comes forward with a left hook to the body and a right hand up top. Torres counters with a right, gets off the cage and catches a kick from Moraes. Midway through the round now and Moraes continues to walk Torres down. Moraes connects with an overhand right and an uppercut behind it. Torres whiffs on a punch and gets turned around, now with a small stream of blood trickling from the right side of his hairline. The offense slows in the final minute of the frame as the blood accumulates on Torres’ face.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Moraes
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Moraes
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Moraes

Round 2
Moraes opens up with a hard outside leg kick and Torres responds by stepping into the pocket and winging punches. It’s Torres circling on the outside, mixing up his angles and trying to establish his jab. Just as he lands a few, Moraes breaks up the momentum with a charging right hand. Moraes does well to counter the next flurry from Torres, countering with a right hook and an uppercut. Torres shoots a low single-leg and Moraes steps away. The middle of the round sees much feinting and leg kicking, which draws boos from the Vegas crowd. A turning kick to the midsection by Moraes gets their attention back. A heavy exchange of punches with one minute left has Torres dropped momentarily in the center of the cage; Moraes can’t capitalize as Torres hops back up instantly. Torres loops a good right hand on Moraes’ ear before the round expires.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Moraes
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Moraes
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Moraes

Round 3
Torres worsens the bleeding on the bridge of Moraes’ nose with some more jabs in the early going of round three, but it’s still Moraes winning the leg kick battle. The jabs keep coming from Torres, who is sticking and moving in the center while Moraes remains on the outside. They switch spots and a leaping kick from Moraes draws an “ooh” from the crowd but misses Torres, who takes the center back and gets the better of a close-quarters exchange. Torres cracks Moraes with a left hand behind the ear but Moraes doesn’t budge. A low kick lands for Moraes as he backpedals away from Torres, who’s just racking up jabs with a minute to go. Moraes shoots in and puts Torres on his back with a double-leg at the 45-second mark. Torres puts the Brazilian in his guard and throws double-handed chops to either side of Moraes’ head, and it’s the veteran who’s more active down the stretch, working off his back.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Moraes (30-27 Moraes)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Torres (29-28 Moraes)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Torres (29-28 Moraes)

Official result: Judge Dave Hagen scores the bout 30-27 for Moraes, while Junichiro Kamijo sees it 29-28 in favor of Torres. The final judge, Mark Smith, has it 29-28 for the winner by split decision, Marlon Moraes.

After the bout, World Series of Fighting announces that Marlon Moraes will fight Tyson Nam sometime in early 2013.

Anthony Johnson vs. D.J. Linderman

Round 1
Only seconds into the fight, a low kick from Johnson catches Linderman in the cup. Linderman drops to the mat in pain as ref Herb Dean warns Johnson against any further fouls. Linderman recovers and they get back to action, and now Johnson is headhunting with punches and high kicks. Linderman steps in to throw hands and gets his leg kicked out. He’s right back to his feet but Johnson keeps the leg kicks coming, now punishing the outside of Linderman’s lead leg. “Rumble” drags Linderman down along the fence and works some short ground-and-pound. Knees to the thighs from Johnson now as Linderman works his way back up. Johnson appears to take a finger in the eye but the fight continues. Linderman charges at Johnson with straight punches and a short right hand counter sends Linderman crashing to the canvas, face first, out cold at 3:58 of round one. Highlight reel KO for Anthony Johnson.

Andrei Arlovski vs. Devin Cole

Round 1
Referee Steve Mazzagatti is in charge of tonight’s heavyweight main event. The big men glare at one another from across the cage, and they don’t touch gloves once the bell rings. Arlovski is flicking out jabs early, keeping Cole away with snappy punches and push kicks. A pair of right hands from Arlovski find their marks and Cole goes after a single-leg. Arlovski hops backward into the fence and grabs Cole’s head in the Thai plum as he defends the takedown. Cole gives it up and pushes Arlovski into the cage with over-unders and some half-hearted knees to the thigh. Arlovski turns Cole around and they separate to resume striking. An Arlovski right hand on the temple sends Cole to the canvas in the center of the cage, and the former UFC champ pounces to finish him off with hammerfists. Referee Mazzagatti steps in to wave it off at 2:37 of round one.