On Saturday, March 28, World Series of Fighting held its 19th event from the Comerica Theatre in Phoenix.
In the night’s main event, lightweight champion Justin Gaethje put his 155-pound strap on the line against veteran Luis Palomino. Gaethje entered the title defense with an unblemished, 13-0 record. He was last in action in November, earning a decision win over UFC veteran Melvin Guillard. Palomino, meanwhile, stepped into the title affair having won two straight in the WSOF cage. The 34-year-old had won his last four fights via knockout.
The championship tilt was joined by one half of the promotion’s light heavyweight tournament ladder as UFC veteran Thiago Silva took on Teddy Holder. Silva was originally slated to lock horns with Matt Hamill for a second time, but Hamill withdrew from the contest on fight day. Silva had been out of action since October of 2013, when, ironically, he fought Hamill in the UFC Octagon. Silva earned a unanimous decision victory in that bout.
The preliminary card aired live on Combat Press at 6:15 p.m. ET. The four-fight main card followed on the NBC Sports Network at 9 p.m. ET.
Teddy Holder def. Thiago Silva by TKO (punches). Round 1, 2:00 – light heavyweight tournament opening round
Timur Valiev def. Ed West by TKO (strikes). Round 1, 1:39
Clifford Starks def. Jake Heun by submission (arm-triangle choke). Round 2, 4:11
Jimmy Spicuzza def. Benny Madrid by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Joseph Gigliotti def. Brendan Tierney by TKO (strikes). Round 3, 4:45
Andres Ponce def. Juan Archuleta by submission (triangle choke). Round 2, 0:53
Dan Huber def. Israel Aquino by TKO (punches). Round 1, 3:03
Matthew Frincu def. Eric Regan by knockout (head kick). Round 2, 0:14
Erik Villalobos def. Joe Madrid by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)