World Series of Fighting 9 Results: Play-by-Play & Updates

Gil Guardado vs. Jimmy Spicuzza

Round 1

The opening contest of the evening takes place at a catch weight of 161 pounds. Overseeing the action is Chris Tognoni. Spicuzza lands a hard right to the face of Guardado. He follows with jab cross combination that lands hard. Guardado ducks under and executes a. Double leg but Spicuzza stands. Back at space Spicuzza launches a flying knee but it doesn't connect. Guardado shoots another double but Spicuzza sprawls and takes the back. He is fishing for the rear- naked but nothing is there. Spicuzza readjusts and this time the choke is in. It’s just a matter of time until Guardado is forced to tap.

The Official Result

Jimmy Spicuzza def. Gil Guardado via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 3:14

Phil Dace vs. Danny Davis

Round 1

Steve Mazagatti is in charge of this welterweight affair. Dace comes out trying to establish a lead low kick to the leg of Danny Davis. The southpaw Dace takes the center of the cage causing Davis to circle the parameter. Davis launches a superman punch which forces Dace to retreat. Dace counters a Davis jab with a two piece combination that lands. Davis blocks a high kick thrown by Phil Dace. Davis replaces with a stiff right hand to the side of Dace’s head. Dace tries another high kick which is blocked. Davis attempts a takedown late but dace stays upright.

Sherdog Scores

TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Dace

Round 2

Davis comes out strong in the second with a two punch combo which forces Dace backwards. Davis the lowers his elevation and shoots a double leg. Dace is forced to his back with Davis finding a home in his opponent’s half guard. From half Davis lands a left hand but the fight moves back to space as Dace uses the position to wall walk and get up. On the feet Davis lands a nice kick to the lead leg of the southpaw Dace. Another kicks lands for Davis. He follows with a right hand to the face of Dace. Davis is a lot more comfortable on his feet in the middle period landing ore kicks to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Davis

Round 3

The final frame begins with Davis coming hard with two left hooks. Dace circles away but is met with a Davis takedown attempt. Dace stuffs the shot and after a brief clinch against the fence is able to get back to space. Dace launches a low kick that finds the lead leg of Davis. Dace throws a combination that is avoided and countered nicely by a Davis takedown. Dace is forced to play guard. Dace flirts with a kimura from his back and it forces Davis to move in a manner that allows Dace back up. On the feet Dace comes alive with a flurry that causes Davis to back up. Davis then responds in kind with punches that make the crowd pop with approval.

Sherdog Scores

TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Davis (29-28 Davis)

The Official Result

Danny Davis Jr. def. Phil Dace via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Brenson Hansen vs. Boostayre Nefarios

Round 1

Nefarios is throwing hard shots early, stepping into the pocket and bombing Hansen with two- and three-piece combinations. Hansen is firing back, too, countering with right hooks and overhands, then mixing it up with a shot to the body. Hansen tries to get inside, eats another right hand, then changes levels to put Nefarios on the ground at the base of the fence. Nefarios flips over and scrambles up to resume striking, catching Hansen with a left cross counter to a low kick. Nefarios tries to pump his jab, misses and then sprawls on a double-leg shot. Hard right from Hansen, and now Nefarios drop his hands to invite an exchange. The final offense of the round comes from a Nefarios kick, but he fails to take Hansen down with the shot behind it.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Hansen
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Hansen
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Nefarios

Round 2

Hansen takes up a spot in the center, moving Nefarios around the outside with tight, hard punches. Nefarios is trying to keep his opponent at bay with kicks, but Hansen is getting through, rocking Nefarios’ head with a big uppercut. Nefarios starts dropping his hands again, and now Hansen plows him to the mat near the fence with half the round remaining. Not enough action on the ground for referee Chris Tognoni, who stands the featherweights back up with 90 seconds on the clock. Nefarios is trying to dip in and out with quick punches, not finding as much success as he did in the opening round.

Hansen steps in and turns Nefarios’ head with a left hook.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Hansen
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Hansen
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hansen

Round 3

Both men throw kicks upstairs, and both are blocked. Hansen throws another and rushes in behind it to try a takedown against the fence, but he wades back out when Nefarios defends. Nefarios is sticking on the outside, hands down, cutting angles; Hansen finds the mark with a left hook anyhow. Three or four chopping leg kicks score for Hansen, then another clean hook that lands hard but doesn’t seem to faze Nefarios. They trade kicks, Nefarios misses with a lunging uppercut and eats a counter right. Nefarios’ punches and kicks are getting wider, while Hansen stays a step away, dodging the shots and countering with tighter counters. With one minute to go, Hansen catches a kick in the cup. He needs only a few seconds to recover, then resumes by hitting Nefarios with a leg kick. Hansen catches a body kick and drives Nefarios to the ground with 20 seconds left, then pops him with a right hand when Nefarios scrambles up just before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Hansen (30-27 Hansen)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Hansen (30-27 Hansen)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hansen (29-28 Hansen)

The Official Result

Brenson Hansen def. Boostayre Nefarios via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

John Gunderson vs. Chris Gruetzemacher

Round 1

Gruetzemacher grabs hold of the first kick from Gunderson and hits an early takedown. Gunderson catches him in a headlock from underneath, but “Gritz” pulls his head loose as he passes to side control on the left and pops Gunderson with a right hand. Gunderson gets to his knees, eats a couple more hard punches and turns over again. He closes guard around Gruetzemacher momentarily, then rolls to his knees. Gruetzemacher catches him there and roughs up “Guns” with punches and elbows up against the cage. Gunderson looks to walk off the fence, can’t complete the sweep and winds up with Gruetzemacher’s forearm across his face. Gunderson just can’t get out from underneath, and he finishes the round with Gruetzemacher dropping more elbows on his head.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Gruetzemacher
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Gruetzemacher
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Gruetzemacher

Round 2

Gruetzemacher scores another early takedown against the cage, but Gunderson is quick to get up this time. It doesn’t last long, as Gruetzemacher soon has him back on the canvas. The ground-and-pound is getting heavier from Gruetzemacher, forcing Gunderson to roll over to his knees. A couple cracking right hands have Gunderson rolling to his back again, and now he sits up against the cage with Gruetzemacher in his open guard. Gruetzemacher is just kneeling in the UFC vet’s guard, roughing up Gunderson with right hands.

Gunderson powers back to his feet with 50 seconds left and jogs away. Gruetzemacher chases after him, elevates Gunderson and slams him down. Gunderson tries a guillotine from underneath but loses it before the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Gruetzemacher
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Gruetzemacher
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Gruetzemacher

Round 3

The start of the third round is no surprise, as Gruetzemacher shoves Gunderson up against the fence before putting him on the floor. Gunderson gets to his knees, where Gruetzemacher wraps him up and feeds him a steady stream of right hands. Gunderson gets back to his feet, taking a body shot along the way. He throws a kick which Gruetzemacher catches, and now Gunderson willingly falls backward, inviting Gruetzemacher into his guard. Gunderson is just holding on underneath, trying to minimize Gruetzemacher’s offense, but Gruetzemacher finally moves to full mount with 90 seconds left. Gunderson gives up his back, and Gruetzemacher applies a deep rear-naked choke. Gunderson twists his way out of it, comes over the top and dives on a late armbar attempt. Gruetzemacher stacks him up and rides out the final 20 seconds defending against the submission.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Gruetzemacher (30-27 Gruetzemacher)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Gruetzemacher (30-27 Gruetzemacher)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Gruetzemacher (30-27 Gruetzemacher)

The Official Result

Chris Gruetzemacher def. John Gunderson via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) R3 5:00

Sean Cantor vs. Bryson Hansen

Round 1

Hansen moves the fight to the fence with an underhook and then changes levels to floor Cantor with a double-leg. As they hit the ground, Cantor leaves his face unprotected, and Hansen capitalizes with five or six blistering left hands. Cantor slumps forward on his knees, and referee Jason Herzog rushes in to stop the fight.

The Official Result

Bryson Hansen def. Sean Cantor via TKO (Punches) R1 0:46

Mike Corey vs. Shane Kruchten

Round 1

Kruchten is on his back foot early, throwing outside leg kicks. Corey steps in and lights up Kruchten with a combination, finishing with a left hand. As Kruchten goes down, he motions to his eye, but referee Chris Tognoni does not intervene. Kruchten powers back to his feet and gets shoved against the fence, but he hits Corey with knees in the clinch before separating. Kruchten comes out of the clinch with a bloody nose, and Corey socks him with a left hook. Corey is mixing it up with punches to Kruchten’s body and head, dipping into the pocket to score before ducking out to avoid the longer man’s return fire. Kruchten tries to hold Corey in the Thai plum, can’t keep him there. Both featherweights land body shots from the tie-up late in the round, and Corey finishes off with a standing elbow.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Corey
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Corey
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Corey

Round 2

Corey hits Kruchten with a couple leg kicks, a jab, and then stuffs a takedown. As Kruchten stands back up from the failed shot, Corey drills him with an elbow strike. Corey gets a takedown and moves straight to side control. He tries to take Kruchten’s back and gets stuffed back to half guard instead. Corey drops a couple hard elbows as he works for mount, then forces Kruchten to defend against a possible arm-triangle choke. Kruchten rolls over and gives up his back, and Corey wastes no time in applying a rear-naked choke. Kruchten resists at first before slapping the mat in submission.

The Official Result

Mike Corey def. Shane Kruchten via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 2:59

Ozzy Dugulubgov vs. Johnny Nunez

Round 1

Nunez closes the gap and grabs hold of Dugulubgov, looking for a takedown against the cage. He gets it after a brief struggle and sits up in Dugulubgov’s half guard to drop a couple short right hands. Dugulubgov shrimps, bucks and rolls out from underneath, then puts Nunez on the fence with a body lock. Dugulubgov goes for a trip, winds up in a whizzer, and the lightweights stand back up. Dugulubgov keeps his man trapped against the cage with underhooks, but Nunez is blocking knees low while sending some of his own around the outside. Nunez defends another trip takedown, can’t fend off the double-leg and winds up sat against the fence with Dugulubgov clinging to his legs. Dugulubgov drops back for a heel hook, allowing Nunez to yank his leg free and stand. They finish the round clinching on the fence with Dugulubgov on the outside.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Dugulubgov
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Dugulubgov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dugulubgov

Round 2

Nunez comes to close the gap again, only this time Dugulubgov retaliates with a double-leg shot of his own. Nunez snuffs it out and slaps on a brabo choke, then sits down to try and finish. Dugulubgov rolls to his back, relieving some pressure, then gets to his knees. Nunez is still working to finish when Dugulubgov drives forward to try and complete a takedown at the base of the fence. Sitting up against the cage, Nunez draws a deep breath and tries a guillotine choke with his left arm. Dugulubgov pushes off the cage with his feet and tries to come over the top.

He can’t, but the position gives him enough leverage to free his head. As he loses the choke, Nunez turns over, and Dugulubgov jumps straight on his back. Dugulubgov sinks in both hooks and works to flatten out Nunez while hunting for a rear-naked choke. Nunez gets to his knees and slips out the back door with 90 seconds left in the round. The lightweights tie up with over-unders and trade knees on the fence. Dugulubgov is on the outside, and he switches to double underhooks. Referee Steve Mazzagatti tells the fighters to get busy, and Dugulubgov obliges with a double-leg takedown in the final 20 seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Dugulubgov
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Dugulubgov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Dugulubgov

Round 3

Dugulubgov catches Nunez with an uppercut, but Nunez keeps coming and scores a takedown near the fence. Working from half guard on Dugulubgov’s left side, Nunez sits up and drops a couple short elbows on the Russian’s face. Dugulubgov can’t get out from underneath but he’s doing well to wrap up Nunez and prevent the wrestler from doing much damage. Nunez lays his forearm across Dugulubgov’s throat and bears down, then lifts up and hits him with an elbow on the temple. Another leg lock attempt from Dugulubgov doesn’t stick, though it allows him to sit up and drive forward on a single-leg. Dugulubgov gets his takedown in the final 40 seconds and attaches himself to Nunez’s back. Dugulubgov keeps looking for a rear-naked choke and gets dumped on his head just before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Nunez (29-28 Dugulubgov)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Nunez (29-28 Dugulubgov)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Nunez (29-28 Dugulubgov)

The Official Result

Jonathan Nunez def. Ozzy Dugulubgov via Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Josh Burkman vs. Tyler Stinson

Round 1

Both welterweight southpaws miss as they swing with heavy punches early, and now Burkman goes to his back foot, letting Stinson come forward. Burkman is looking to take off Stinson’s head with huge hooks but he can’t quite find the mark on the taller man. Stinson is taking a more measured approach, inching forward on “The People’s Warrior” with low kicks and straight punches. Stinson tries to paw his way into range, gets backed away with a couple leg kicks. Burkman steps into the pocket and drills Stinson with a vicious right hook. Stinson falls to his back in a daze and Burkman finishes him off with an uppercut
as referee Jason Herzog intervenes.

The Official Result

Josh Burkman def. Tyler Stinson via KO (Punch) R1 2:15

Yushin Okami vs. Svetlozar Savov

Round 1

Okami creeps forward in the southpaw stance, backing up his Bulgarian opponent toward the cage. The UFC veteran isn’t letting his hands go in the opening minute, just sitting back and dodging punches. Savov opts to tie up and delivers a hard knee to Okami’s gut before being tripped to the ground. It’s heavy top control from Okami, who leans right to left across Savov’s body in half guard. Okami steps into full mount with three minutes left in the round, and Savov tries to wrap him up from underneath. Okami throws a couple punches, gets warned by referee Yves Lavigne to mind the back of Savov’s head. Savov bucks his opponent back to half guard, but it doesn’t take long before Okami moves back to mount. Savov isn’t giving him much room to strike, but Okami fires off a couple hard, short right hands.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Okami
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Okami
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Okami

Round 2

Okami has to chase after Savov for a moment, but once he catches up with the younger man, it’s not long before Savov’s back is on the canvas. Straight to side control on Savov’s left goes Okami, then back to full mount 90 seconds into the round. Savov isn’t absorbing a ton of damage but he can’t escape from underneath, even when he scoots over to the fence and looks to wall-walk. Okami sits heavy in mount with two minutes remaining, and now he postures up to drop three or four hard shots. Savov keeps trying to buck Okami or hook his arms, but “Thunder” is just too much.

Okami briefly frames up an arm-triangle choke and then releases it in favor of maintaining mount. Okami looks as if he might go for an armbar and then doesn’t, allowing Savov to escape. Savov doesn’t stand up when Okami does, so the Japanese fighter just sits back down in full mount. Another arm-triangle attempt from Okami, and this time it’s deep. Okami pushes Savov away from fence and bears down on the choke to force the tap.

The Official Result

Yushin Okami def. Svetlozar Savov via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) R2 4:46

WSOF Bantamweight Title Fight:
Marlon Moraes vs. Josh Rettinghouse

Round 1

Jason Herzog is the referee for the first of tonight’s championship bouts. Moraes chops at Rettinghouse with a leg kick and then knocks him to the ground with a thumping left hook. Rettinghouse dives on a single-leg, stands back up and eats a pair of right hands as he moves backward. Now, Rettinghouse takes a knee and gets caught in a front headlock. He drives forward, looking for a takedown, and Moraes jumps back to his feet. Moraes sets up in the center of the cage and wobbles Rettinghouse with an overhand left on the temple. The Brazilian snuffs out another single-leg shot from Rettinghouse, then hops on his kneeling opponent’s back. Rettinghouse slips out, tries a double-leg and finally completes a takedown, putting Moraes on his seat at the base of the fence. Moraes absorbs a few short punches and elbows before dropping back to a heel hook that causes Rettinghouse to stand. Rettinghouse shoots a double in the center of the cage and gets stood up. Moraes counters a leg kick with a straight right that backs Rettinghouse away. Rettinghouse connects with a chopping low kick outside but then falls when he tries a flashier spinning kick. One more leg kick from Rettinghouse is countered by a Moraes left as the bantamweights finish a busy first round.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Moraes
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Moraes
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Moraes

Round 2

Rettinghouse lands a kick to the body and sticks his left hand in Moraes’ face, and the Brazilian answers by chopping the lead leg out from under Rettinghouse with a big kick. The fighters circle for a moment in the middle of the cage, taking turns feinting and defending. Rettinghouse changes levels and comes in for a shot, gets shoved away. He lands a kick to the forearm of Moraes, who responds with a low kick outside. Rettinghouse takes another one on his front foot, though he seems to be checking the kicks better now. Moraes defends a long single-leg shot, resets and lands a leg kick. Rettinghouse slips to the ground as a left-handed counter catches him off balance. He gets up and raises his arms at Moraes just before time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Moraes
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Moraes
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Moraes

Round 3

Rettinghouse tries to change levels behind a leg kick and has a takedown attempt denied. Not much action through the opening minute as the 135ers square off in the center. Rettinghouse, who’s leaking blood from his nose, hits the deck after a big leg kick from Moraes. Another hard chop comes from the Brazilian, but Rettinghouse stays vertical this time. The next kick makes Rettinghouse grimace, and Moraes waits 20 seconds before landing another that has Rettinghouse grabbing at his leg. Rettinghouse tries to step inside and gets swatted out with a counter right on the cheek. Moraes is just stalking now, taking his time and loading up on big leg kicks which visibly bother Rettinghouse. As he dives in for a takedown, Rettinghouse eats a knee and turtles up on his knees while Moraes bashes away with punches. Referee Herzog is telling Rettinghouse to fight back, and now Moraes puts Rettinghouse up against the fence to drive knees into his body. Moraes finishes the round with a guillotine attempt.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Moraes
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-8 Moraes
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Moraes

Round 4

Moraes opens up with another leg kick, and Rettinghouse quickly pulls guard. Moraes won’t follow him to the ground, so Rettinghouse eventually takes a knee, then stands up. The next shot from Rettinghouse gets Moraes up against the fence, but he can’t hold the Brazilian there. Moraes circles out and drops Rettinghouse with another leg kick. Again, Rettinghouse wants to lure Moraes to the ground. Moraes just stands over his grounded opponent and makes it tough for Rettinghouse to stand up. The American is back on his feet with three minutes left in round four, but 10 seconds later, he hits the ground again.

This time, it looks like Rettinghouse injured his own foot when Moraes blocked a low kick. Moraes allows him to stand, connects with a couple leg kicks and stuffs a shot. Rettinghouse doubles up on his right hand and eats a counter right on the inside. Moraes takes his time and then blasts his man with another sizzling right hook. Rettinghouse finishes the round on the ground after slipping on a spinning kick.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Moraes
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Moraes
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Moraes

Round 5

Rettinghouse comes hard and high on a takedown attempt to start the final round, but Moraes backpedals and bounces off the cage, tossing Rettinghouse to the ground. Moraes allows him to get up, avoids a leaping kick and clips with a right hand as Rettinghouse changes levels. Rettinghouse jabs his way into Moraes’ zone and then has his lead leg kicked out from under him. A crisp counter left from Moraes turns the head of the charging Rettinghouse, and the Brazilian circles out. Midway through the last round now, and Moraes shrugs off another double-leg shot. Two more leg kicks and Rettinghouse hits the ground. He hops up, just under two minutes remaining. Rettinghouse gets through with a kick to the body, slips on the next one and has to get up carefully, with Moraes standing over him. Moraes doubles up with right hands up top and then digs into the body of Rettinghouse with a left. Wild, lunging kicks from Rettinghouse leave him open for a takedown, and Moraes finishes the fight on top, pounding away.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Moraes (50-43 Moraes)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Moraes (50-44 Moraes)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Moraes (50-44 Moraes)

The Official Result

Marlon Moraes def. Josh Rettinghouse via Unanimous Decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-44) R5 5:00

WSOF Welterweight Title Fight:
Steve Carl vs. Rousimar Palhares

Round 1

Referee Yves Lavigne is the third man in the cage for tonight’s main event. Carl comes out throwing a right hand, so Palhares changes levels immediately and plows the champion to the ground. It’s a tight guard from Carl underneath, wrapping up Palhares’ arms and keeping close even as the Brazilian lifts him into the air. Carls throws up a triangle, then an armbar, and Palhares falls backward for a heel hook. Carl rolls over a few times and resists the sub at first, but when Palhares drops back to crank on the leg, Carl lets out a shout and taps.

The Official Result

Rousimar Palhares def. Steve Carl via Submission (Inverted Heel Hook) R1 1:09