World Series of Fighting 28 Results: Play-by-Play & Updates

Mike Kubeska vs. Fard Muhammad

Round 1

Both men awkwardly exchange hooks off the bat, then Muhammad leaps up the middle with a glancing flying knee, and then more punches that just ding the sides of his opponent's head. Muhammad pins Kubeska to the fence, then steps away, ripping punches confidently. The minute Muhammad steps back into the fray, Kubeska smashes him with a short, counter right hook and drops him to his knees. Kubeska leaps on top with ground-and-pound, but Muhammad gets his wits back and gets guard. Kubeska starts to posture and pound and Muhammad pulls inverted guard beautifully, sweeping to top position with a kneebar attempt. Kubeska calls his bluff, rolling back for a leglock. Muhammad throws an axe kick from the 50-50 position that hits Kubeska in the face and referee Mike Beltran doesn't break the action, but gets into the fighters' faces and tells them to keep it clean on the mat. Muhammad is punching at Kubeska's head as Kubeska switches his foe's legs and goes for an inverted heel hook. They scramble back up with just over 90 seconds to go and Muhammad gets a bodylock, then a takedown. Beltran calls for a pause to wash Muhammad's mouthguard after he spits it out. Muhammad keeps punching away on top, landing solid shots, then elbows on Kubeska. As he settles on top again, his mouthguard comes out, prompting Beltran to call another stop and tells, unequivocally, to stop spitting his mouthguard out. Muhammad ends the round on top, grinding with elbows.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Muhammad
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Muhammad
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Muhammad

Round 2

Muhammad attacks Kubeska again quickly, knocking him off balance and setting up a takedown as Kubeska slips on a sponsor decal on the canvas. As soon as “The Messenger” lands another good salvo on top, he spits his mouthguard out again, prompting yet another rinsing from Beltran. Beltran is increasingly irate, but still chooses not to take a point from Muhammad, who is certainly winning the fight. On the restart, he stacks Kubeska and elbows. He keeps pounding away, then spits his mouthguard out for a fourth time. Beltran stands them up, has the mouthguard washed once more, and tells Muhammad that this is his last warning. Muhammad is exhausted and Kubeska gets him to the mat late, easily taking full mount, then spinning for an armbar. Kubeska struggles to break Muhammad's grip, then Muhammad finds the energy for a powerful slam and hard ground-and-pound shots to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Muhammad
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Muhammad
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kubeska

Round 3

Both men winded as the third begins with Kubeska stalking Muhammad. Muhammad explodes into a Superman punch that glances, then tackles Kubeska to the mat. Kubeska throws up a triangle attempt, but Muhammad passes underneath and tries to slide his leg out, but gets stuck and lands on top. And here we go! Muhammad spits his mouthguard out for the fifth time, Beltran has it washed, and finally takes a point from “The Messenger.”

On the restart, Kubeska closes guard, so Muhammad picks him up to the feet, then dives back to the mat, slamming Kubeska on his back. Kubeska turns for an armbar, so Muhammad picks him up and hits another diving slam, then two hard rights. Beltran stands them up with 90 seconds to go, Muhammad lands a hard pair of hooks, then pulls Kubeska back to the mat. Just 60 seconds to go and the tape on Kubeska's right glove has come unspooled badly, leading to another pause from Mike Beltran, to have the tape cut. Kubeska gets back to his feet with 30 to go, but Muhammad dumps him with a clever uchi mata and ends the fight elbowing in full guard.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 9-9 (29-27 Muhammad)
Brian Knapp scores the round 9-9 (29-27 Muhammad)
Chris Nelson scores the round 9-9 (28-28 Draw)

The Official Result

Fard Muhammad def. Mike Kubeska via Majority Decision (29-27, 28-27, 28-28) R3 5:00

Eric Steans vs. Jalin Turner

Round 1

Turner pops Steans quickly with rangy punches, prompting a desperate shot from Steans quickly. Turner sprawls and brawls nicely, pushing his man away from his body, then landing knees before disengaging. Steans keeps pressuring his man and trying to close the distance for a takedown, clearly realizing the massive southpaw Turner's skills on the feet. The next time Steans charges in, Turner shoots a picture-perfect left cross through the middle that puts Steans on his face. Steans might have a little fight left, but it doesn't matter, because Turner simply walks away in the vein of Mark Hunt or Joachim Hansen.

Referee Mike Beltran doesn't instantly buy the walkoff KO, but after getting in close and examining Steans crawling around to nowhere in particular, waves the fight off. Beautiful single shot from Jalin Turner.

The Official Result

Jalin Turner def. Eric Steans via KO (Punch) R1 0:38

Heinrich Wassmer vs. Keenan Lewis

Round 1

Lewis opens up the flyweight action with hard low kicks, then shoots a double-leg, scoops Wassmer and slams him while Wassmer looks for a guillotine. Lewis frees himself when they hit the mat, but Wassmer quickly shows rubber guard, then an active half guard. Lewis keeps tight pressure on top, but sneaks some elbows in while trying to pass. Wassmer starts tying up Lewis as he tries to elbow, slowing the action down, so referee Mike Beltran starts to push both men to work. “Ricky Scraps” nearly sweeps Lewis, but can't underhook his thigh to roll him over. Lewis floats on him chest-to-chest, showing great balance. Beltran stands the pair up with just under 90 seconds to go. Lewis touches Wassmer with two lukewarm rights, thrown more for range than power. Wassmer kicks high, Lewis glances with a right hand, but Wassmer returns with a clean overhand right. Wassmer loads up on a spinning back kick that hits a charging Lewis in the shoulder, but Lewis powers through it and puts Wassmer right back on the mat to end round one.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Lewis
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Lewis
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Lewis

Round 2

Wassmer times Lewis' first kick, catches it and knocks his man to the mat with a clean right cross. Lewis gets right back up, shoots a single, then trips Wassmer's plant leg to settle on top. Wassmer instantly goes to rubber guard again, pulling his left leg hard to threaten the gogoplata, but Lewis pushes his face into Wassmer's chest and breaks the posture. Lewis can't get anywhere on top, so referee Mike Beltran puts them back on their feet. Lewis dives for a desperate single, Wassmer limplegs out easily, spins and takes the back. Lewis almost shakes Wassmer over the top, but Wassmer cinches a reverse triangle as he slides. Lewis fights the position and pops his head out the back door, winding up on top in half guard with 80 seconds to go. It's more of the same from Lewis, as he grinds away, trying to pass through Wassmer's half guard, but can't quick make it before the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Wassmer
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Lewis
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Lewis

Round 3

Lewis shows the kicking offense early, but as soon as Wassmer commits to a strike, Lewis changes levels, shoots a double and dumps his opponent by the fence. “Ricky Scraps” tries to shrimp up the fence to stand, grabbing the fence and catching a warning from Mike Beltran.

Lewis makes it to half guard, boxing Wassmer's ears but not doing any real damage. Beltran stands the flyweights up just before the halfway point of the round. No surprise, Lewis throws an overhand right, then shoots a single. Wassmer sprawls on this one, then takes the back crucifix off the counter. He nearly hits the Hideki Kadowaki Special, sinking the rear-naked choke from the back crucifix, but Lewis gets his arm free. Unfortunately, Wassmer rolls right into back mount proper and re-sinks the choke, this time earning the tap. Impressive submission by Heinrich Wassmer.

The Official Result

Heinrich Wassmer def. Keenan Lewis via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R3 3:02

Garrick Evans vs. Isaias Alvarado

Round 1

Alvarado marauds into striking range with low kicks to begin the 190-pound bout, followed by lunging body kicks. He backs Evans up to the fence successfully, then double-legs him to the mat. Evans shrimps to the fence then shimmies to his feet, but Alvarado stay on his waist, trying to drag him to the mat.

Evans grabs a loose standing kimura to slow Alvarado's attempts, but Alvarado eventually rips his arm out, throws a four-punch combo, then tackles Evans again. Alvarado lands a few punches while Evans look for a leglock, and catches a warning from referee “Big” John McCarthy for a fence grab. They come back to the feet, but Alvarado is on top again in a hurry, landing heavy blows from quarter guard while Evans covers up. Evans tries to shrimp and regain guard, but Alvarado keeps swinging hammers with both fists until Evans goes fetal and McCarthy steps in.

The Official Result

Isaias Alvarado def. Garrick Evans via TKO (Punches) R1 3:21

Steve Ramirez vs. Kyle Estrada

Round 1

Ramirez starts the flyweight bout with repeated head kicks, which encourages Estrada to follow suit. Estrada shows a takedown, but Ramirez pops him with a counter. Both men open with punches for a second, but neither lands hard. Moments later, both men throw kicks on the same side and Ramirez takes Estrada's shin to the cup, going down in a slump. He only takes 60 seconds or so to recover off the accidental foul, then comes out hot on the start. Ramirez lands his left hand hard and keeps charging “The Hoosier,” putting him on his heels.

Four left hands land in a row, dropping Estrada, then Ramirez is on top of him with three ground-and-pound lefts before “Big” John McCarthy can intervene.

The Official Result

Steve Ramirez def. Kyle Estrada via KO (Punches) R1 1:01

Ozzie Alvarez vs. Andrew Ramm

Round 1

Ramm slowly stalks the southpaw Alvarez around the cage for 60 seconds, until Alvarez rips him to the body, then puts a combination upstairs. Alvarez tackles the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu rep to the mat and sets up on top, but Ramm shows a high guard immediately. Alvarez keeps driving forward on Ramm, tripodding up and eventually breaking Ramm's posture. Alvarez attacks from full guard with an Ezekiel choke of sorts, but it's more crossfacing pressure than a real submission. Referee John McCarthy puts the pair back on the feet with a minute left in the round. Alvarez with a lead right cross, and Ramm tries to fire back with kicks, then a spinning back fist, but gets nothing.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Alvarez
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Alvarez
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10

Round 2

Alvarez lunges in with another right hand and a knee on the taller man. Ramm still stalks forward, throwing tepid kicks, but when Alvarez does engage, he lands his lead hand consistently, but curiously, hasn't brought any power shots with his left hand. Ramm wades into two lefts from Alvarez, but they're mostly blocked. It's slim picking in terms of clean offense, but as the pace slows, Alvarez slips a clean counter hook in, again with the right. With under 60 seconds to go, Alvarez powers through a Ramm kick and puts him on his back, grinding away until the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Alvarez
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Alvarez
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Alvarez

Round 3

Ramm continues to pressure Alvarez, but walks into another takedown early in the final frame, allowing Alvarez to get busy with rights on top. Alvarez pulls Ramm away from the cage, pounds his ribs and lands small hammerfists. The fight is really starting to drag as Ramm closes his guard, forcing Alvarez to grab a can opener to open his posture up. With two minutes left to fight, John McCarthy puts the fight back on the feet. Alvarez circles away to his left, as he has most of the fight, with Ramm whiffing on kicks.

Alvarez changes directions and John McCarthy warns him for not engaging. Alvarez responds with a left hand, then a two-piece when Ramm comes at him next. Switch-step left from Alvarez, but Ramm cracks him too. Alvarez spins aimlessly, almost tripping over his own feet while not actually throwing an attack. With 10 seconds to go, Alvarez shoots, but gets denied this time. Ramm rushes him and Alvarez unloads a beautiful spinning back kick to the jaw which stuns Ramm, literally the best strike of the fight coming at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Alvarez (30-27 Alvarez)
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Alvarez (30-27 Alvarez)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Alvarez (30-28 Alvarez)

The Official Result

Ozzie Alvarez def. Andrew Ramm via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

Jamie Yager vs. Daniel McWilliams

Round 1

A jumpy McWilliams comes out and throws a kick to initiate contact with his opponent, but as soon as Yager throws a single kick, McWilliams rushes in for a desperate takedown. The UFC veteran easily gets his balance and then stuffs the takedown before looking for one of his own. Yager digs his underhooks in and locks his hands, securing a cow catcher, or crucifix. He easily rolls McWilliams with it, taking scarf control and ever-so-casually figure-fouring his legs over McWilliams arms, then cranking the neck. The old school scarf hold armlock gets the tap immediately.

The Official Result

Jamie Yager def. Daniel McWilliams via Submission (Scarf Hold Armlock) R1 0:38

Timur Valiev vs. Chris Gutierrez

Round 1

Valiev assumes the outside, circling to his left on the orthodox Gutierrez and looking to counter. For the first minute, Gutierrez throws lots of feints, but doesn't commit to any material strikes. Valiev keeps the distance with some leg kicks, so Gutierrez shows off some of his own. Valiev finally advances, Gutierrez sneaks a right down the pipe, but Valiev completes the single briefly. Gutierrez lands on his seat and quickly jumps back to his feet, where Valiev rams him into the cage then tries for a headlock throw. He gets Gutierrez off his feet, but not clear, and then the American wriggles free. The Dagestani fighter is the one pressuring now, but Gutierrez keeps moving just out of range. Valiev jumps in with a right hand and Gutierrez nicks him with a spinning back elbow. “El Guapo” lands a low kick, but Valiev answers him even harder and unchecked.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Valiev
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10

Round 2

“Lucky” more aggressive with low kicks to start the second round, forcing Gutierrez to retreat out of range. Gutierrez lands a hard low kick, but Valiev touches him with a Brazilian kick upstairs moments later as he retreats. After two minutes of minimal contact, Valiev catches a Gutierrez kick and punches him to the mat off of it, but can't keep him down, as “El Guapo” slides right back up the fence. Valiev is bullshit with over-unders until he finally gets a clean takedown and turns the Texan away from the fence. It's Valiev's kind of fight now, as he thrashes about in full guard, landing punches with both hands and looking to advance position behind it. Gutierrez looks for a pair of armbars from the bottom, but Valiev mashes him for it. Valiev stays busy until Gutierrez kicks him away just before the bell rings.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Valiev
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Valiev
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Valiev

Round 3

Valiev starts the final round on the attack, but he still can't reach the rangier Gutierrez with them as the Texan steps in and out of range.

The Dagestani fighter lands a body kick, but Gutierrez returns fire moments later with a clean pair of hooks. Valiev runs Gutierrez across the cage wih punches that miss, but digs in a hard low kick at the end. Valiev takes a wild run at his target with two left hands that miss by a mile. Gutierrez tries to return fire, but eats a counter, then two hard low kicks. Valiev is reckless with the low kicks now, seemingly frustrated by Gutierrez's defensive savvy on the feet. Valiev keeps rushing “El Guapo” and eventually runs into a right hook that drops him at the 10-second clapper, but Valiev has his wits back and rolls into a takedown to ice the fight.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Gutierrez (29-29 Draw)
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Gutierrez (29-28 Valiev)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Valiev (30-28 Valiev)

The Official Result

Chris Gutierrez def. Timur Valiev via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 27-30) R3 5:00

Marlon Moraes vs. Joseph Barajas

Round 1

The bantamweight champion Moraes is characteristically measured and patient early on, looking to counter on the southpaw Barajas, but his challenger doesn't seem eager to engage. Moraes sets about finding his distance with his trademark low kicks, landing a few hard ones that back Barajas up, and provoke some bravado as Barajas tried to return with some of his own. The Brazilian trips Barajas up with another hard low kick. Moraes feints, then rips another hard left low kick. Barajas tries to jump out of the way instead of checking it, absorbing the impact and awkwardly at that.

He takes one step back before buckling on his right knee and falling onto his seat. Moraes dives in to finish and gets one punch in before referee John McCarthy can rescue the injured Barajas.

The Official Result

Marlon Moraes def. Joseph Barajas via TKO (Low Kick) R1 1:13