Branch, Gaethje, Aguilar Taste Victory at World Series of Fighting 15
David Branch made a statement at WSOF 15. | Photo: Keith
Mills/Sherdog.com
TAMPA, Fla. -- World Series of Fighting middleweight champion David Branch notched a TKO victory over former Ultimate Fighting Championship title challenger Yushin Okami to cap off WSOF 15 as the promotion took over the USF Sun Dome.
In the beginning, it seemed as though the challenger was set to turn in a vintage Okami performance. Branch opened looking to connect with heavy shots to put the challenger to bed early, but was quickly taken down by the Japanese wrestler. “Thunder” held onto top position for much of the opening stanza.
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Okami came out with a tinge of urgency in the third round, but come the championship periods, it was all for naught. The former perennial middleweight contender would be staggered by the very same punch again in the fourth. While Okami survived, the Brooklyn native was unrelenting. Into the deep waters of the round, the Japanese fighter began to open up with his strikes a bit more, only to absorb one final right to the jaw.
Flopping onto his back, Okami was followed by the Renzo Gracie
fighter, who overwhelmed his beaten challenger from the mount,
forcing referee Andrew
Glenn to step in and call the TKO at 3:39 of the penultimate
round.
Related: WSOF 15 Play-by-Play
(+ Enlarge) | Photo: K. Mills/Sherdog.com
Gaethje scored on Guillard's legs.
Gaethje Beats Off-Weight Guillard
A would-be lightweight title tilt between divisional ruler Justin Gaethje and UFC veteran Melvin Guillard, while downgraded due to Guillard’s inability to hit the 155-pound mark, still delivered an action-packed 15 minutes.
In the early stages of the fight’s arc, it seemed “The Highlight Reel” was going to have difficulty finding the chin of Guillard, thus the young fighter did what all great champions do: he adapted.
While “The Young Assassin” was able to slip the champion’s bigger punches early on, the fighter from The Grudge Team found a new target in the UFC veteran’s left leg. While both fighters had their offensive moments, it was the leg kicks of the fighter from Arizona that told the tale of the fight. By the final period, Guillard found himself stumbling with each kick the champion landed.
At the final bell, Gaethje took a split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29), an ending to the catch-weight bout that seemed to be unanimously panned by those in attendance, as the lightweight champion soundly won in their eyes.
Aguilar Retains Title
(+ Enlarge) | Photo: K. Mills/Sherdog.com
Aguliar defended her title.
The champion planted her flag in the center of the 10-sided cage, while Aguilar seemed to hold the wrestling advantage throughout the bout; it was her striking acumen that kept the Brazilian from gaining traction. The Macaco-trained challenger fought aggressively, winging wide, hard punches at the champion, but “Jag” found continued success with her overhand right landing in close quarters.
Aguilar’s wrestling came into play at various points, as she was able to drag the fight to the floor, but the grit of Faria proved to be too much for her to stay down. At the 25-minute mark, judges rendered a unanimous scorecard (49-45, 49-45, 49-45).
Patino Dominates Younger Opponent
(+ Enlarge) | Photo: K. Mills/Sherdog.com
Patino controlled Reynolds handily.
“Macaco” overcame the taller fighter ostensibly hurting him (with an illegal kick, coming on the receiving end of a miheel hook) through power of will and an ability to get the fight to the mat, seemingly on command.
Once the action hit the floor, the Brazilian showed the disparity between the two. “Macaco” repeatedly took the mount and busted the Floridian fighter open with big elbows.
After 15 minutes, Patino would have is hand raised as the judges rendered a unanimous decision victory in his favor.
More WSOF 15 »
• WSOF 15 Prelim Results
• WSOF 15 Play-by-Play
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