World Series of Fighting 33 Results: Play-by-Play & Round-by-Round Scoring

Bryce Mitchell vs. Brandon Phillips

Round 1

Mitchell opens with a high kick that’s blocked and Phillips responds with a low kick in return. Mitchell drives Phillips into the cage and secures a left underhook. He drops down, connects his hands and takes Phillips to the canvas. Mitchell immediately begins working to pass guard while Phillips tries to use the cage to return to his feet. Mitchell dumps him to the floor again and continues to remain in control. Phillips uses a guillotine to briefly reverse Mitchell against the cage before being taken down again. Mitchell is in full mount. He lands a few short punches before swiftly transitioning to his foe’s back. He locks in a rear-naked choke but Phillips escapes. Mitchell remains busy with punches from back control before transitioning to an armbar. Now “Thug Nasty” shifts from a triangle back to an armbar, but Phillips scrambles out of danger and ends up on top with less than a minute to go. He stands and orders Mitchell to join him. Mitchell immediately shoots for a double-leg and gets Phillips down. He passes to full mount and again takes Phillips’ back. Phillips survives to take Mitchell past the first round for the first time in his career. 10-9 Mitchell.

Round 2

Mitchell again leads with a high kick to begin the stanza but Phillips defends. Mitchell lands a glancing head kick and Phillips answers with a low kick. Mitchell closes the distance and pins Phillips against the cage. Mitchell has his man down again and is applying pressure from above. Phillips sits up against the fence but Mitchell is relentless. He keeps Phillips grounded while occasionally landing short punches. Mitchell suddenly jumps guard and secures a triangle choke. It looks tight and Mitchell fires off an elbow on his defenseless opponent. A few moments later, Phillips taps out, giving Mitchell the seventh submission victory of his career.

The Official Result

Bryce Mitchell defeats Brandon Phillips via Submission (Triangle Choke) R2 3:14

Magomed Magomedkerimov vs. Bobby Cooper

Round 1

Cooper begins with a pair of quick jabs and a low kick. Magomedkerimov fires back with a combination. Cooper lands a kick to Magomedkerimov’s lead leg. Cooper lands a counter right hand as Magomedkerimov attacks. Cooper continues to lead with his jab. Magomedkerimov responds with a right hand to Cooper’s lead leg. Magomedkerimov comes over the top with a right hand followed by a left hook. Magomedkerimov pushes forward and lands a right hand. Cooper goes to the body with a straight right hand. Magomedkerimov pushes forward with another combination but nothing lands clean. Cooper throws a leg kick and Magomedkerimov catches it and takes his opponent down after securing a body lock. He’s got Cooper pinned against the fence in side control as he battles to create space to land punches. Magomedkerimov ends the frame landing standing-to-ground punches in Cooper’s guard. 10-9 Magomedkerimov.

Round 2

Magomedkerimov closes the distance with a combination, then lands a kick to the body and a leg kick. Cooper connects with a jab. A right hand from Cooper grazes his foe’s head. Magomedkerimov presses forward and lands a left hook. Cooper is pumping his jab, while Magomedkerimov chooses to attack with leg kicks. Magomedkerimov lands a right hand. Cooper counters effectively then avoids a half-hearted takedown attempt from the Russian. Magomedkerimov lands a left kick to the body. Magomedkerimov lands a pair of looping left hooks, which creates an opening for a takedown with a little more than a minute remaining. Magomedkerimov tries to work his way to Cooper’s back. The Russian lands several hard knees to Cooper’s thigh as the American stands. Magomedkerimov scoops Cooper up and dumps him right back to the mat. Magomedkerimov is now in Cooper’s guard, and he once again finishes the period landing ground-and-pound. 10-9 Magomedkerimov.

Round 3

Cooper begins the round moving forward, working behind his jab and couple find their range. Cooper follows a jab to the body with a clean overhand right. A big right hand from Magomedkerimov buckles the knees of Cooper, and he urges the Russian forward to exchange. Magomedkerimov takes advantage of his opponent’s carelessness and takes Cooper down. Magomedkerimov goes to work in half guard, landing short left hands while attempting to advance position. Cooper attempts to stand near the fence but Magomedkerimov rides him and lands a few hard knees to the leg. Cooper gets up only to see Magomedkerimov pick him up and slam him down. Magomedkerimov stays busy on top and then rains down several hard standing to ground punches. Cooper gives up his back but briefly is able to reverse the position. It’s only a brief respite, however, as Magomedkerimov counters and gets Cooper down once more. The fight ends with Magomedkerimov in control. 10-9 Magomedkerimov (30-27 Magomedkerimov)

The Official Result

Magomed Magomedkerimov def. Bobby Cooper via Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27) R3 5:00

Abu Azaitar vs. Michael Arrant

Round 1

Azaitar lands a kick to the body to begin the fight as he circles on the outside. They tie up and Azaitar turns Arrant into the cage. Arrant reverses the position and grinds against his foe. Azaitar throws a knee and they break up. Azaitar comes forward aggressively throwing punches and gets tagged with a straight left from Arrant. There’s already a little bit of blood coming from Azaitar’s left eye. Azaitar whips a hard leg kick and Arrant nods in acknowledgement. Azaitar lands a left hook to the body. Arrant is walking his man down, but Azaitar rushes forward with another combination. Nothing serious connects. Arrant lands a kick to the face with his lead leg. Azaitar explodes for a takedown and nearly gets caught in an armbar on the canvas. The German-based fighter frees himself and lands several left hands as Arrant stands. Azaitar takes him right back down and gets busy with ground-and-pound as the frame ends. 10-9 Azaitar.

Round 2

Arrant begins with a spinning kick but Azaitar blocks it. A lead leg head kick from Arrant grazes his foe’s face. Azaitar lands a combination. Arrant responds with a straight left. Azaitar fins a home for a body kick. Azaitar continues to attack the body with kicks and punches. Azaitar ups his aggression and fires off a combination. Offense has been limited in the frame thus far, with both combatants playing patty-cake in the center of the cage. Azaitar presses the action and lands a couple hooks to the body. He sprawls on a takedown attempt by Arrant and in a scramble Azaitar ends on top. Azaitar is bleeding profusely from his nose as he tries to take Arrant’s back. They return to their feet and action is halted as Azaitar lands a kick to the cup. After a brief pause action resumes, but neither fighter lands anything in the final 15 seconds. 10-9 Azaitar.

Round 3

Azaitar lands a hard kick to the body. Arrant fires back with a combination but doesn’t connect. Azaitar continues to find success with kicks to the body early, while Arrant struggles to pull the trigger through two minutes. Azaitar is controlling the distance with his kicks, although he isn’t landing in great volume. Azaitar’s weapon of choice in this frame continues to be the rear kick to the body, and it’s landed multiple times. Arrant tags Azaitar with a crisp one-two, and Azaitar briefly backs up. Azaitar connects with a counter right hand. Arrant attempts to force the issue in the final 10 seconds, but it’s Azaitar who ends the frame with a flurry of punches. 10-9 Azaitar (30-27 Azaitar).

The Official Result

Abu Azaitar def. Michael Arrant via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Jesse Brock vs. Bekbulat Magomedov

Round 1

Magomedov misses with a jumping knee but clips Brock with a follow-up right hand. Brock survives as Magomedov swarms to capitalize and they return to the center of the cage. Magomedov uses the flying knee to set up the right hand again. Magomedov ducks under a Brock right hand and lands a takedown. Brock attempts to stand and Magomedov slams him down from behind. Brock gets up again and Magomedov presses him into the fence. They exchange knees in the clinch and Magomedov lands a punch on the break. After a brief pause for a low blow from Magomedov, the action resumes. Magomedov catches a Brock low kick and takes his man down. Magomedov is in full guard now, keeping his head close to Brock’s chest. Brock does a good job controlling Magomedov form his back as he works his way toward the fence. Brock is up, but Magomedov maintains a body lock. Finally they break up and return to the center of the cage. The smaller Brock is struggling to find his range, but he finally connects with a right hand. A spinning back fist form Magomedov is blocked by Brock as time runs out. 10-9 Magomedov.

Round 2

Magomedov lands a right hand in an initial exchange. The Russian again finds the range on a long straight right hand. Magomedov snaps his foe’s head back with a pair of jabs. A right hand form Magomedov briefly has Brock reeling, but he’s back up in the center of the cae. Magomedov attacks with a flying knee and quickly transitions to a takedown. Brock defends and they get back to the center of the cage. Brock closes the distance and they tie up. They battle for position near the fence and eventually separate. Magomedov lands a right hand, then ducks down and grabs a single leg. Brock is down momentarily but scrambles back up. Magomedov maintains a body lock and lands some knees to the body with his opponent against the fence. Finally Magomedov slams Brock to the mat and lands in side control. Brock works his way up and the round ends with both fighters missing punches in an exchange. 10-9 Magomedov.

Round 3

Magomedov seems to have slowed somewhat as neither fighter lands much in a tentative opening minute. Brock shoots for a takedown and Magomedov defends well against the fence. Brock gives up on a single leg against the cage and they separate. Blood is coming from Brock’s nose as Magomedov lands a couple jabs. Brock times a Magomedov knee with a takedown and takes his foe’s back. Brock works to secure the second hook with less than two minutes remaining, but Magomedov fends it off. Brock maintains the position, but Magomedov retains hand control to prevent any serious threat from the Boise native. Brock throws some heel strikes with his free leg to Magomedov’s hip. However, Brock can’t break Magomedov’s grip and the Russian scrambles to his feet as the bell sounds. 10-9 Brock (29-28 Magomedov).

The Official Result

Bekbulat Magomedov def. Jesse Brock via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) R3 5:00

Chris Gutierrez vs. Timur Valiev

Round 1

Valiev lands a low kick to Gutierrez’s lead leg after an extended feeling-out process. They trade leg kicks as Valiev controls the center of the cage. Valiev catches a kick and takes Gutierrez down. Valiev attempts to pass guard but Gutierrez denies it. Valiev creates space for an elbow. Gutierrez kicks Valiev away and the Russian stands. He dives back in and controls Gutierrez’s left leg from side control. Eventually Gutierrez recaptures full guard. Valiev stays busy with left and right hands with less than a minute to go. Again, Gutierrez pushes Valiev away with his legs. The American attempts to land upkicks from his back before Valiev finds his way back into his opponent’s guard. The period ends with Valiev on top. 10-9 Valiev.

Round 2

Valiev catches a kick and takes Gutierrez down within the first 30 seconds. Gutierrez turtles near the fence as Valiev looks to take his foe’s back. Valiev is patiently attacking with left hands to the head, but Gutierrez is blocking most of the attacks. Valiev lands a belly-to-back suplex and is inside Gutierrez’s guard. Valiev stands and drops a right hand. Miragliotta urges Valiev to keep busy as he works from top position. Gutierrez again uses his guard to create separation but Valiev keeps the pressure on and eventually dives back into guard. Valiev has a body lock on Gutierrez near the fence and he lands a couple knees to the body and thighs. Valiev lands three or four short right hands to the head as Gutierrez stands near the fence. With 10 seconds left Miragliotta orders the fighters to break, and the round ends without further incident. 10-9 Valiev.

Round 3

Valiev starts out aggressive, keeping Gutierrez at bay by throwing punches and spinning kicks. Valiev lands a leg kick then follows up with a perfectly timed takedown at about the 3:30 mark. He’s back in Gutierrez’s guard. Gutierrez frames his legs for a triangle and uses the maneuver to sweep to his feet. Valiev presses Gutierrez against the fence but is doing nothing so Miragliotta orders a break. Gutierrez lands a kick to the body and Valiev answers with an outside leg kick. Gutierrez connects with a leg kick of his own, but Valiev backs him up with a combination. Gutierrez doesn’t pull the trigger in the final minute until approximately 10 seconds remain. After a brief, furious exchange, Gutierrez tries to jump guard as the bell sounds. 10-9 Valiev (30-27 Valiev).

The Official Result

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

Shawn Jordan vs. Ashley Gooch

Round 1

Jordan rocks Gooch with a straight right out of the gate, and the two heavyweights briefly trade punches. They separate and Jordan connects with a clean straight left. Gooch looks to be rocked and he stumbles backward as Jordan is on the attack. They UFC veteran lands a takedown near the fence and he sets up shop in half guard. Jordan looks to land right hands but Gooch defends reasonably well. Gooch makes it to a seated position, so Jordan takes his opponent’s back. Gooch is on his knees as Jordan peppers him with left hands. Referee Marc Wasem warns Gooch to let go of the fence, and Jordan continues to patiently pick his spots with punches. Jordan puts all his weight on Gooch’s back and flattens him out. Jordan unloads with punches from back mount. Wasem warns Gooch once and the CES representative attempts to explode out of danger to no avail. Jordan continues to land ground-and-pound on his prone opponent and finally the bout is halted. Jordan’s victory likely lands him a shot at reigning WSOF heavyweight king Blagoy Ivanov.

The Official Result

Shawn Jordan def. Ashley Gooch via TKO (Punches) R1 4:40

John Howard vs. Abubakar Nurmagomedov

Round 1

Nurmagomedov lands a pair of jabs and Howard misses a right hook in an initial exchange. Nurmagomedov looking to land a big overhand left early on. The fighters trade inside leg kicks. Nurmagomedov lands an overhand left and they briefly clinch before separating. Howard lands a pair of hooks and then ties up with Nurmagomedov. The Dagestani fighter turns him and tries for a takedown but Howard lands a knee before they separate. Nurmagomedov explodes for a double leg takedown and lands in his opponent’s guard. Nurmagomedov is warned against using his head as he drives it into Howard’s chin. Nurmagomedov is gradually working his way to half guard and he gets there. Howard is doing a good job controlling his foe’s wrist to prevent ground-and-pound. With 30 seconds remaining, Nurmagomedov is still on top. He lands a short elbow and is content to ride out the rest of the period on top. 10-9 Nurmagomedov.

Round 2

Nurmagomedov lands a jab followed by a head kick from his lead leg. Howard follows with an inside leg kick. Nurmagomedov jabs and moves out of danger when Howard counters. “Doomsday” is finding a home for leg kicks, however. Howard ties up his foe but after a takedown both welterweights are quickly back up. Nurmagomedov tries for a takedown but is denied. The rangier Nurmagomedov lands a jab, then another. Howard sprawls on a takedown but stumbles backward after eating an overhand left when they separate. Nurmagomedov continues to jab repeatedly on the outside. Howard’s face is starting to show some damage with a little more than a minute remaining. Nurmagomedov continues to beat his foe to the punch while moving out of danger when Howard counters. Nurmagomedov buckles Howard’s knees with a short elvow and shoves him to the mat. Howard gets up and briefly takes Nurmagomedov down. Nurmagomedov ends the frame with a takedown of his own. 10-9 Nurmagomedov.

Round 3

Howard closes the distance with punches and clinches with Nurmagomedov. Howard lands a right hook on the break. Nurmagomedov jabs and Howard answers with a hard leg kick. Nurmagomedov goes for a single leg but Howard defends. Nurmagomedov stays attached to his foe and eventually drags Howard down. Nurmagomedov is briefly in side control before Howard regains half guard. Nurmagomedov stays heavy on top but isn’t landing much in the way of ground-and-pound. With 90 seconds left, referee Mike England orders a standup. Nurmagomedov connects with a one-two combo and Howard has a takedown stuffed. Nurmagomedov reverses the position but he can’t get Howard down. Howard catches Nurmagomedov looking at the clock and snaps his head back with a right hand. Howard tries to jump guard for a guillotine but slides off his opponent. Nurmagomedov ends the period in his foe’s guard. 10-9 Nurmagomedov (30-27 Nurmagomedov).

The Official Result

Abubakar Nurmagomedov def. John Howard via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) R3 5:00

Brian Foster vs. Luiz Firmino

Round 1

Foster opens things up with an outside leg kick. Firmino comes forward for a takedown, but Foster counters with heavy leather and shoves his foe down. Foster is on top now, but Firmino fishes for a leg lock. That allows the Brazilian to move into top position in a scramble. Firmino alternates punches to the head and body from above. Foster attempts to control Firmino’s head but continues to absorb punches to the ribs. Foster slides his legs up and briefly creates some space but Firmino is quickly back into his guard. Firmino gets overzealous and Foster secures a triangle after pushing off the fence. Firmino appears to tap a couple times and the bout is halted. The Brazilian has angry words for both referee Mike England and Foster after the stoppage.

The Official Result

Brian Foster def. Luiz Firmino via Submission (Triangle Choke) R1 3:14

Jason High vs. Joao Zeferino

Round 1

High throws a low kick and Zeferino counters with a combination. Zeferino counters another leg kick. Zeferino shoots for a takedown and High ensnares him in a guillotine. High rolls into mount and Zeferino tries desperately to defend. Somehow Zeferino escapes the hold. It’s back to a standup fight and High lands a counter left hand. The fighters trade punches near the fence before clinching. High takes control and stays busy with short right hands to the ribs. They separate and return to the center of the cage. Zeferino connects with a clean straight right hand. High moves forward and lands a kick to the body. High just misses on a big left hook. High gets wobbled by a short punch by Zeferino. The Brazilian capitalizes for a takedown and lands several short elbows from above. Zeferino continues to work with elbows as less than 30 seconds remain. Zeferino lets High up and lands a perfectly timed front kick as his opponent returns to his feet. 10-9 Zeferino.

Round 2

Zeferino lands a kick to the body and then shoots for a takedown near the cage. High thinks the kick was low, but the action isn’t halted and Zeferino gets him down. High reverses the position and avoids a guillotine attempt in the process. Zeferino returns to his feet and turns High into the fence. Zeferino gets one hook in and forces High to turn. That allows Zeferino to get a takedown. High locks up Zeferino’s arms and a standup is ordered with a little more than 2:00 to go. After a brief exchange Zeferino pushes High back into the cage. The Brazilian trips his man to the canvas and lands in half guard. Zeferino lands a few short right hands to the ribs. Another standup is ordered shortly thereafter. Zeferino lands a kick to the body for the last significant offense of the period. 10-9 Zeferino.

Round 3

Zeferino lands a hard body kick which High catches but the “Kansas City Bandit” quickly drops the limb. Moments later, High lands a body kick of his own. The fighters trade in the pocket and High lands a clean left hand but drops his hands, allowing Zeferino to floor him with a short counter right hand to the chin. Zeferino dives in and lands several more follow-up punches but High appears to be intelligently defending himself. Referee Marc Wasem has seen enough, however, and the bout is halted.

The Official Result

Joao Zeferino def. Jason High via TKO (Punches) R3 0:51

David Branch vs. Vinny Magalhaes

Round 1

Branch sticks a pair of quick jabs to open the bout. Magalhaes tries to invite the champ into guard and Branch makes him get up. Branch lands a jab to the body. Magalhaes closes the distance with punches but Branch avoids his clinch. Branch tags Magalhaes with more straight punches. Branch catches a kick and dodges a wide punch from his opponent before dropping the leg. Branch continues to beat Magalhaes to the punch in exchanges. Branch ducks under a Magalhaes hook and lands another jab. Magalhaes lands a jab of his own as Branch moves forward. Still, it’s Branch who is most effective with the jab, as he’s controlled the majority of the round with his lead hand. Brnach doubles up on the punch nicely with about 20 seconds to go. Magalhaes ends the frame with a high kick and they battle in close quarters before being separated after the horn sounds. 10-9 Branch.

Round 2

Branch sets the tone with his jab right out of the gate. Branch dodges a high kick from the Brazilian. Magalhaes lands a solid low kick on Branch’s lead leg. Magalhaes follows a body kick with a superman punch, but doesn’t connect. Branch floors his opponent with a massive left hook on the chin. Branch dives in to finish his foe with punches and hammerfists. When that is unsuccessful, Branch elects to make Magalheas get up. Branch rocks his woozy foe with a left hook and then they clinch. Magalhaes is bloodied now, and Branch tees off against the fence. Branch takes Magalhaes down with ease and then walks away. Branch marches forward and tags Magalhaes with hooks against the fence, but the Brazilian fires back to make his foe back up briefly. Branch pumps his jab and then avoids a high kick. Branch lands a four-punch combo and Magalhaes circles away. Branch finds a home for his left hook yet again and he avoids one final Magalhaes salvo as the bell sounds. 10-8 Branch.

Round 3

After a brief doctor checkup, Magalhaes is cleared to continue. Branch lands another combination but eats a counter. Branch lands a left jab and a right hook. The champ sends Magalhaes back with a straight right hand. Magalhaes is showing plenty of heart, but Branch is landing at will again. Branch lands several punches to the body near the fence before Magalhaes shoves him away. Branch continues to jab away and then deftly dodges Magalhaes’ counter offerings. Branch backs his foe into the corner and lands a combination. Branch closes the frame with a three-punch combination. 10-9 Branch.

Round 4

Branch continues to push the pace as the championship frames begin. Branch catches a kick but misses on overhand counter. Magalhaes lands a hard kick to the body. Magalhaes lands a jab as Branch marches forward. Branch seems to be slowing down, but the jab is still there for the Renzo Gracie pupil. Magalhaes goes back to the leg kick. Branch sends Magalhaes on the retreat with a lead left hook. Branch lands a jab and then follows up with a right hand to the body. Branch appears to hurt Magalhaes with a big left hook. Magalhaes circles away and Branch can’t find a finish as time runs out. 10-9 Branch.

Round 5

Magalhaes dives desperately for a takedown and then falls to his back. Branch isn’t having it and the Brazilian is back up. Branch lands a hard kick to the body. Branch again finds a home for his jab, which has been the theme of this fight. Branch backs his man into the fence and lands a combination. Magalhaes circles away and eats a one-two combo in the center of the cage. Magalhaes fires off a left hook but it only grazes Branch. The combatants trade leg kicks and Branch closes the distance to land another combination. Magalhaes whiffs on a couple kicks. Branch keeps the pressure on and again lands a multi-punch combination on his foe. Branch isn’t coasting in the final minute as he again finds the range on a left hook. Branch lands a jab and they clinch briefly before the final bell ends the title bout. 10-9 Branch (50-44 Branch).

The Official Result

David Branch def. Vinny Magalhaes via Unanimous Decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-44) R5 5:00