World Series of Fighting 16 Results: Play-by-Play & Updates

Jason Powell vs. Chris Avila

Round 1

The southpaw Powell is the aggressor from the opening bell, walking Avila down, parrying his lead hand and ramming jabs behind it. Powell flashes some kicking offense -- low kicks, some head kicks, then even a reverse hook kick -- but isn't doing clean damage with them. Powell lands two hard outside low kicks and shoots, but Avila stuffs it and gets free. A long straight left from Powell finds its target. Thirty seconds later, he lands the same punch. Avila is a bystander through three minutes, just standing and absorbing Powell's kicks and jabs. Avila clinches and looks for a takedown, but “The Gentleman” grabs double underhooks and turns Avila around. Powell isn't really interested in a takedown, however, so he idly knees Avila's legs until referee David Shirley separates them with a minute to go in the round. More outside low kicks and left crosses from Powell land, though he's not doing substantial damage. With 15 seconds left in the round, Powell ducks under an Avila jab and dumps him on the mat.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Powell
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Powell
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Powell

Round 2

Powell gets back to stalking Avila, but finally, the Lodi, Calif. native lets his hands go, stinging Powell with a right hand and a knee. Powell clinches, but again, isn't interested in a takedown and casually separates from Avila. At range, Powell works his low kicks and mixes in left hands on occasion. He touches Avila with a soft Brazilian kick, then a side kick. Avila just doesn't have the tools necessary to attack Powell with confidence or regularity. With a minute left in the round, Avila throws a body kick and clinches, but Powell drops to a single and dumps him on the mat against the cage.

Avila gets up the fence to his feet but gets stuck there for the rest of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Powell
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Powell
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Powell

Round 3

The featherweights continue in the same fashion, with Powell walking Avila down and chopping at his legs at a leisurely pace. “The Gentleman” lobs a head kick here and there, but isn't setting them up and is certainly not throwing them with bad intentions, just making contact with his target. Avila finally gets some inspiration with three minutes to fight, flurrying with some right hooks, but Powell changes levels and plops him on the mat with a double. Powell chips away with the ribs, but his lack of authoritative pounding lets Avila snake up the fence again. Powell puts him back on the mat with 90 seconds to go, riding his back as he tries to stand and kneeing Avila's body. He does his thing until David Shirley separates them again, then Powell lands a few more leg kicks for the road before the final bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Powell (30-27 Powell)
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Powell (30-27 Powell)
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Powell (30-27 Powell)

The Official Result

Jason Powell def. Chris Avila via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Drey Mitchell vs. Erick Sanchez

Round 1

The first two minutes are largely a feeling out process as the local Sacramento fighters get comfortable with the range, lobbing inside and outside low kicks. Sanchez is the first one to back his foe down, letting go with his hands but not landing substantially. Mitchell clinches up, allowing Sanchez to land a few knees to the ribs. They separate with just over 90 seconds to go in the round. Sanchez loads up on a big right head kick but the southpaw Mitchell blocks it and circles away. Sneaky right counter from Sanchez and he backs Mitchell into the clinch again. Sanchez sucks him to the mat and quickly moves to full mount. Mitchell gets away with five seconds of cage grabbing from the bottom before referee Edward Collantes warns him. Mitchell then bridges and escapes but can't land much before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sanchez
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Sanchez
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Sanchez

Round 2

Sanchez pushes the issue much faster in round two, walking his target down, ripping him with punches and a head kick. Sanchez lands another right, then clinches Mitchell against the fence. Sanchez nearly runs “The Young Lion” to the mat, but Mitchell lands on his knees. Sanchez dives on Mitchell's back, sinks one hook, rolls him, then gets both in. The Team Alpha Male Product is going to work from back control with four minutes to go in the round. Mitchell fights his hands, then turns and explodes into Sanchez's half guard. Mitchell can't get much going from top position before Sanchez slides up the fence and gets another takedown of
his own.

Mitchell tries to go up the fence again, but risks showing his back and allowing Sanchez to take it just as he did at the beginning of the round. Sanchez pulls him down again, but Mitchell wisely holds onto a kimura and uses it to sweep to top position. Mitchell gets to half guard, unloading heavy hammerfists before Sanchez replaces his guard. Sanchez shrimps away and gets up to his feet, but Mitchell gets in on his leg and drags him around before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sanchez
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Sanchez
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Sanchez

Round 3

Sanchez whips wide right hands at Mitchell to begin the final frame. Mitchell is more cautious, blocking high and using his southpaw stance to attack the inside of Sanchez's lead leg. The pace slows with three minutes to fight. Though arm-weary, Mitchell lands a two-piece and Sanchez cracks him back with a right hand. Sanchez keeps stalking and periodically throwing, but Mitchell is able to avoid his wide, telegraphed shots. Sanchez lands a slapping right hand, then Mitchell backs him off with a body kick. Mitchell lands another body kick and Sanchez tags him with another looping right hand. The 10-second clapper sounds and Sanchez tries to attack with wild punches, but can't land clean.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sanchez (30-27 Sanchez)
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Sanchez (30-27 Sanchez)
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Sanchez (30-27 Sanchez)

The Official Result

Erick Sanchez def. Drey Mitchell via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Martin Sano vs. Dominic Waters

Round 1

Almost as soon as the bell rings, the fighters exchange and Waters inadvertently pokes Sano in the left eye while throwing a kick, and referee David Shirley calls for time. Sano winces for a minute or two and shakes it off while David Shirley warns Waters to watch his fingers. On the restart, Sano ducks under Waters' opening salvo, gets to the larger man's waist and runs him into the cage. Waters gets an underhook, turns him around and gets a takedown of his own. Waters pounds away until Sano tries to sweep, intensifying his punching. However, he sacrifices his own balance and Sano rolls through and escapes to his feet. Sano pushes for a takedown against the fence, but again, Waters turns him around and gets one of his own. Sano jumps back up, but Waters grabs a rear waistlock and tosses him with a fantastic German suplex. He can't control his opponent after the high-amplitude throw, however, and Sano jumps right back up into the clinch, but eats a body kick and right hand on the way in. They pummel in the clinch until the last 10 seconds, when Waters disengages and uncorks a massive spinning wheel kick that just whizzes wide.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Waters
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Waters
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Waters

Round 2

Two body kicks from Waters, then a power double puts Sano on the mat briefly. Sano scrambles back to the cage, but winds up in a front headlock with “Sho Nuff” threatening an anaconda choke. He bails on it, allowing Sano to stand where they resume their dance in the clinch. They trade position, with Sano trying to take down the more physically imposing Waters, then Waters getting position and dragging him to the mat at the halfway mark of the round. Again Waters ends up in a front headlock, threatening with an anaconda, but he tries to pull guard rather than roll, so he can't finish it.

Waters still maintains control in the clinch as the pair get to their feet. They separate finally and Sano lands a few nice punches, but Waters quickly shoots in on another takedown. He winds up stuck in a guillotine and is briefly rolled over, raising his hand as if he might tap. Suddenly, Waters pops his head out and tries to power through another takedown before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Waters
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Waters
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Waters

Round 3

Sano gets a few short punches in before Waters presses him into the fence and they start clinch wrestling again. Sano looks for a kimura and tries to jump it, but Waters breaks free and winds up in his half guard. Sano turns belly down to escape, then rolls for a leg. Sano can't get the leg, but manages to escape back to his feet. However, as you'd expect, both men wind up right back in the clinch along the cage, with Sano kneeing Waters to the body. Waters starts angling for a takedown and while Sano tries to punch to ward him off, “Sho Nuff” runs him into the mat with less than a minute to go. Sano hops back to his feet before Waters can do much damage, and just misses his target with a big knee on the way up. Waters runs him into the fence one last time to abate any chance of serious offense at the end.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sano (29-28 Waters)
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Sano (29-28 Waters)
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Sano (29-28 Waters)

The Official Result

Dominic Waters def. Martin Sano via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

David Mitchell vs. Justin Baesman

Round 1

Mitchell starts quickly, ducking under Baesman and dumping him on the canvas. The UFC veteran instantly looks to pass, nearly getting to the side. He pounds to the ribcage of his opponent while looking to pass all the way to side control for the kimura. He can't quite get there, but he forces Baesman to roll and takes his back in a flash, locking up a body triangle. Mitchell applies the rear-naked choke and though it's not deep yet, he's inching it under the chin. Baesman is in a struggle and his attempts are futile: “Bulletproof” gets the squeeze he needs and forces the tap.

The Official Result

David Mitchell def. Justin Baesman via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 1:44

Dave Huckaba vs. C.J. Leveque

Round 1

Leveque comes out jabbing and throwing overhand rights at the air, while Huckaba patiently jabs and low kicks from the outside. Leveque does show some shocking flexibility for a rotund, 300-pound man, making Huckaba retreat from a solid head kick. Right body kick lands for Leveque, but he eats a jab from the “Bad Man.” Leveque shoots, Huckaba sprawls and stands, forcing him into Ali-Inoki position for a moment, kicking his legs before letting his foe stand again. Huckaba lands a hard right uppercut and flurries along the fence. Left hook, right to the body, then a left hook and another right. He's putting some heat on Leveque now as the round winds down. Leveque shoots again and Huckaba easily sprawls. Leveque nearly lands a big right, but Huckaba dodges and responds with one of his own.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Huckaba
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Huckaba
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Huckaba

Round 2

Huckaba is remaining patient, jabbing and looking for combination punching opportunities. Leveque feints as if to shoot, trying to tag Huckaba off the fake shots. Huckaba isn't falling for it. Huckaba trots in with another jab, then a right uppercut behind it that crumbles Leveque against the fence. Leveque tries to scramble for a takedown, but Huckaba rips him with body hands, drills him with a knee to the body and goes to work on top. Leveque is just covering up as Huckaba rips him with both hands, prompting the stoppage from referee Milton Wallace.

The Official Result

Dave Huckaba def. C.J. Leveque via TKO (Punches) R2 1:47

Justin Buchholz vs. Lewis Gonzalez

Round 1

Buchholz makes good use of his front kick to start the bout, gauging distance and pushing Gonzalez back on multiple occasions. Right hand for Buchholz lands, and he continues using the push kick to maintain a comfortable distance from the squattier Gonzalez. Gonzalez rushes the UFC veteran a few times, but can't land any real punches on his target. Buchholz rips him with a thunderous left kick to the body, which instantly leaves a welt on Gonzalez's rib cage. Gonzalez is throwing wild overhand rights, but he can't actually break through Buchholz guard and land clean before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Buchholz
Dave Mandel scores the round 10-9 Buchholz
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Buchholz

Round 2

Buchholz shows his front kick, but begins incorporating more and more low kicks, working the lead leg of his foe over. Gonzalez misses another right hand, then desperately tries to shoot behind it. The lazy shot attempt allows Buchholz to force him to the mat in the turtle position, pounding away. Buchholz forces his way to mount, then transitions to back control as Gonzalez goes belly down. Punches with both hands from the Team Alpha Male fighter. Buchholz is trying, but find the rear-naked choke as he can't sink his arm below Gonzalez's chin.

Buchholz returns to pounding away with both hands to open up a choking opportunity. Gonzalez bucks and rolls, escaping back to his feet. In the round's dying moments, he pressures with more overhand rights but again, can't land any clean shots.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Buchholz
Dave Mandel scores the round 10-9 Buchholz
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Buchholz

Round 3

Buchholz kicks at Gonzalez's legs, while Gonzalez tries to land big right hands. Gonzalez is tired, sticking his jab out and loading up on wild overhand rights. Buchholz continues putting the jab in his face, but isn't throwing much behind it. When the Team Alpha Male fighter winds up on a big head kick, Gonzalez tackles him to the mat and takes his back. Buchholz fights him from getting his hooks in, but Gonzalez scrambles to top position with 90 seconds left in the fight. Buchholz gets away from the fence, but Gonzalez scrambles and stays in top position. When the UFC vet tries to get back to his feet, Gonzalez rides his back and tries to for a no-hooks rear-naked choke.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Gonzalez (29-28 Buchholz)
Dave Mandel scores the round 10-9 Gonzalez (29-28 Buchholz)
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Gonzalez (29-28 Buchholz)

The Official Result

Lewis Gonzalez def. Justin Buchholz via Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Josh Berkovic vs. Brenson Hansen

Round 1

Berkovic opens with a combination, but eats a sharp counter right from his foe. Both men are standing in the center of the cage. The California native rushes in with punches as Hansen throws a kick. The Hawaiian fighter shoots for a takedown, and Berkovic pops right back up. A wild overhand right from Hansen puts his man on his seat, but Berkovic is able to recover. After being dropped, the San Francisco native seems tentative as he feigns a punch and takes things to ground. Berkovic moves to take the back, but doesn’t stick. The bell sounds with both men on their feet in the center of the cage.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Berkovic
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Berkovic
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Berkovic

Round 2

Berkovic operating at a slower pace after his first round mishap. Hansen is going backward as his opponent fires off a combination, tags him, then puts him on the mat with a double-leg takedown. Berkovic can't hold Hansen down however, as he pops up along the fence. Berkovic shoots once more, but their heads clash, cutting him. There’s a clear speed advantage for the San Francisco fighter, who is throwing several punches in the time it takes his opponent to land one. A lazy shot is stuffed by Hansen.

Both men are wearing blood on their face now despite it all coming from Berkovic. The final bell sounds just after Berkovic attempts another two-piece, which is evaded by his man.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Berkovic
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Berkovic
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Berkovic

Round 3

Berkovic drops and gets Hansen down along the fence, but the Californian is up again. As soon as he's up, Hansen closes the distance and shoots again, prompting Hansen to roll to his feet and break free in smooth fashion. He can't away from Berkovic, whoever, who stays glued to his waist and keeps dumping him on the mat. Each time Hansen gets back up, Berkovic drags him back to the mat and doesn't permit any real action. Berkovic lands two clean knees, then shoots again and puts hit man on the mat, grinding him until the final bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Berkovic (30-27 Berkovic)
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Berkovic (30-27 Berkovic)
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Berkovic (30-27 Berkovic)

The Official Result

Josh Berkovic def. Brenson Hansen via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Sheymon da Silva Moraes vs. Gabriel Solorio

Round 1

Moraes walks Solorio down in his fairly traditional Thai stance, showing his jab to the head and body, but mostly waiting for counter opportunities. Solorio lets go of a leg kick, Moraes catches it and knocks him off balance slightly. Switch-step head kick from Moraes is blocked, but he's starting to get busier with his kicks. Solorio, thus far, is unfazed by Moraes' muay Thai styles. Solorio flashes his jab and low kicks now, trying to match Moraes. Solorio catches a right body kick from Moraes and trips him to the mat briefly, but Moraes gets right back up and hits him with another. Stepping vertical left elbow from Moraes hits the nose of his foe. Solorio catches a left body kick and runs Moraes into the far side of the cage. The Brazilian lands sharp elbows while defending, then breaks free. Hard left body kick by Moraes, though Solorio's elbow partially shields him. Solorio puts him on the mat with just under 30 seconds to go and lets loose a two-handed flurry before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Moraes
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-10
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Moraes

Round 2

Hard right hand from Moraes, so Solorio responds with one of his own, though not of the same magnitude. Solorio has been more than game to go strike-for-strike with Moraes, and catches another low kick from the Brazilian. A quick left hook from Solorio misses, but he wacks Moraes with a big right hand behind it, the best shot of the fight so far. Another right hand from Solorio. Moraes tries to grab a collar tie, but Solorio spins free, eating a head kick on the exit. Solorio is stalking forward now, darting his head around Moraes' stepping elbow attempts.

Another right body kick from Moraes is caught and Solorio runs him into the fence. The Brazilian lands two punishing knees to the body in close and turns his man around. Moraes shows classic Thai technique, locking around the neck, landing knees to the body then sweeping Solorio to the canvas. Moraes gets busy with punches and elbows, but gets surprised by a Solorio armbar. Moraes deftly spins over and escapes, but is hesitant to open up with punches on top again. Solorio scrambles back to his feet and lands a body kick.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Solorio
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Solorio
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Solorio

Round 3

Jabs and low kicks are exchanged by the bantamweights. Stiff knee to the liver from Moraes, but Solorio's whipping overhand right rocks Moraes, stumbling him backwards. Solorio hits him with another right, reeling him back to the fence. Moraes smartly grabs a collar tie and knees to the body, buying himself some time before letting his opponent free. Both men miss overhand rights and Solorio's mouthguard comes flying out despite not being hit. Not to worry, however, as he quickly throws it back in his mouth and gets back to fighting. Right cross to the body from Solorio is countered with a knee to the face from Moraes. Both men glancing with lead hooks, but missing with their power hands as they wind up during exchanges. Solorio has done well to block most of Moraes' body kicks, but the Brazilian sneaks a left roundhouse to the liver in. Moraes presses Solorio into the cage with under a minute to go, but can't pin him down. Solorio begins to attack, but walks into a clean knee. They clinch in the final 10 seconds and Moraes gets in one more good one to the body.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Solorio (29-28 Solorio)
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Moraes (29-29 Draw)
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Solorio (29-28 Solorio)

The Official Result

Sheymon Moraes def. Gabriel Solorio via Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

WSOF Featherweight Title Fight:
Rick Glenn vs. Lance Palmer

Round 1

After brief a feeling-out process, Palmer connects with winging overhand left that backs the champion up, but the southpaw does not follow Glenn. Glenn fires a straight kick, but is met with a shin to the head by the shortef challenger, who slips but immediately gets back to his feet. “The Gladiator” is holding down the center of the cage and fighting long, as Palmer looks for openings for his left hand, but can’t seem to find any. A powerful left overhand by Palmer misses as the champ returns the favor with a left hook. Glenn is stalking his opponent, but is taken down immediately as “The Party” catches a kick. The champ shrimps away and back to his feet, as the bell sounds with both featherweights circling one another.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Palmer
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Palmer
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Palmer

Round 2

Palmer lands two wild left hands quickly that back Glenn up to the fence. The champion is rocked momentarily and Palmer unloads with hooks and uppercuts. Glenn is able to absorb the salvo and escape, resetting himself in the middle of the cage. Palmer keeps the pressure up behind his left hand, shoots in and dumps Glenn in the middle of the cage. Palmer gets busy with short hammerfists, but Glenn does a good job to neutralize him, eventually getting back to his feet with just over 90 seconds to go in the round.

Glenn cracks Palmer with a few hard body kicks, so Palmer ducks, shoots and gets to a waistlock. He can't slam Glenn, however, as the Roufusport product quickly breaks free. Glenn stalks and Palmer fends him off with lefts until the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Palmer
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Palmer
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Palmer

Round 3

Glenn is walking down his challenger now, firing both hands, but Palmer keeps chipping away with sudden left hands. Body kick for “The Gladiator” lands, but Palmer keeps circling, up until the moment he explodes for a blast double and gets it. He almost moves into mount on Glenn, but Glenn escapes and gets to his knees. Palmer works a headlock, then tries to take the back again. He forces the champion over, then moves into full mount. The Team Alpha Male prospect works a half nelson, socking Glenn in the head. He lets it go, then rips Glenn with a seris of right hands. Palmer sinks his hooks in and turns him over, quickly sinking the rear-naked choke, basically with one arm. This one is done and Lance Palmer is your new WSOF featherweight champion.

The Official Result

Lance Palmer def. Rick Glenn via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R3 3:09

WSOF Welterweight Title Fight:
Rousimar Palhares vs. Jon Fitch

Round 1

Palhares throws two hard low kicks that stumble Fitch. Palhares looks for a third, then eats a jab straight to the face as he throws. Double jab from Fitch and both of them land. Right cross by Fitch and a jab on the way out lands. Palhares is sick of the striking, so he barrels at the former UFC welterweight title challenger for a takedown. Fitch gets a headlock and rolls through, but that just gives “Toquinho” a scramble opportunity. He rolls to his back and grapevines Fitch's left leg, sucking him to the mat. First, Palhares looks for a heel hook, but Fitch punches him.

Palhares stabilizes in an Achilles lock position, before rolling over Fitch's leg for a kneebar. This one is deep and Fitch yells out in pain before tapping. Another fantastic leglock submission for Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares, who retains the WSOF welterweight title in his first defense.

The Official Result

Rousimar Palhares def. Jon Fitch via Submission (Kneebar) R1 1:30