WSOF 9 lived up to all of the hype surrounding it the past few weeks. The fight card featured two former UFC fighters making their WSOF debuts and they didn’t disappoint.
Yushin Okami was cut from the UFC and decided to go to WSOF to prove to the world that his skills are still world class. Okami showed his ability to strike in the first round but the second was all about his ground game. A perfect trip takedown led to a full mount by Okami and he patiently waited until he sunk in an arm triangle for the win.
In the main event champion Steve Carl took on former UFC fighter Rousimar Palhares. Palhares was cut from the UFC for holding one of his infamous leg locks too long after a tap and tearing his opponents knee to shreds. Palhares is now on the path of restoring his name as a fighter and the WSOF title shot was his first step.
Coming into the fight Carl worked hard on his leg lock defense but said that he would fight his own fight and not focus on what Palhares was trying to do. Palhares’ game plan wasn’t a surprise to anyone; he wanted to land a takedown and sink in a leg lock.
Less than a minute into the first round Palhares got that takedown and worked his way into position for an arm bar. Carl skilfully slipped the arm bar but found himself on the bad end of a Palhares transition into leg lock position. Once in position it took only a matter of seconds for Palhares to sink in the leg lock and for Carl to tap.
Rousimar held the lock for a few seconds after the tap but nothing egregious. The lack of controversy is exactly what Palhares needed as he now begins his stint at WSOF Welterweight champion.
Here are the results from the WSOF main card:
Ozzy Dugulubgov vs. Johnny Nunez
- Nunez defeats Dugulubgov (Split Decision)
Josh Burkman vs. Tyler Stinson
- Burkman defeats Stinson (1st Rd KO)
Yushin Okami vs. Svetlozar Savov
- Okami defeats Savov (2nd Rd Submission)
Marlon Moraes vs. Josh Rettinghouse (bantamweight title)
- Moraes defeats Rettinghouse (Unanimous decision)
Champ Steve Carl vs. Rousimar Palhares (welterweight title)
- Palhares over Carl (1st Rd Submission)