(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Fight fans that are fans of finishers had a good New Year’s Eve, especially if they were fortunate enough to be in Madison Square Garden for World Series if Fighting’s (WSOF) last event of the year. All the local fighters that were waiting for MMA to come to New York had their time to shine in the world’s most famous arena.
All the champs are still champions but not without their fair share of drama. Fans seemed to question the decisions of the judges, especially in the welterweight bout between Jon Fitch and Jake Shields. While Fitch maintained top position, Shields attacked from the bottom often. Shields kept going for a single leg take-down to work into a leg lock and get a finish but Fitch would not have it. Fitch mentioned at the press conference he and Shields had trained together in the past. It certainly showed in the fight as both men seemed to have answer for each other’s offense. Fitch’s top position and control was enough to convince the New York judges of a win.
One of the most anticipated bouts of the night was David Branch’s defense of his middleweight title against Louis Taylor. Both fighters have had a very good run in WSOF, and a very successful year but unfortunately there can only be one winner. Branch was not going to lose in his first fight in his New York home but Taylor did not make it easy for him. The biggest concern for anyone that faces Taylor is his guillotine, which he managed to get on Branch. However, Branch stayed calm and defended it well to apply his own choke for the win in the final round.
The main event between Justin Gaethje and Luiz Firmino was supposed to be an easy fight for the lightweight champ. However, as 2016 was coming to close the year decided to throw one more surprise at fight fans and had a very game Firmino give the champ some trouble. Both men landed a lot of strikes and Firmino did try to apply his Jiu-Jitsu when they went to the ground that had Gaethje play a cautious game. However, in one of their exchanges it would seem Gaethje got the better of Firmino and landed a blow to Firmino’s eye that would call for the cage side doctor to stop the fight.
Firmino wants a rematch and one is definitely warranted considering how well he did as a short notice replacement. Fight fans might agree; see the WSOF NYC results below.
Justin Gaethje vs. Luiz Firmino; Gaethje via Dr. Stoppage in rd. 3
Yushin Okami vs. Paul Bradley; Okami via split decision
Jon Fitch vs. Jake Shields; Fitch via unanimous decision.
Marlon Moraes vs. Josinaldo Silva; Moraes via first rd. tap out due to injury
Jared Rosholt vs. Caio Alencar; Alencar via KO rd. 1
David Branch vs. Louis Taylor; Branch via RNC rd. 5
Smealinho Rama vs. Jake Huen; Rama via rd. 2 TKO
Shane Krutchen vs. Jeremy Mahon; Krutchen via unanimous decision
Vagab Vagabov vs. Bruno Santos; Santos via split decision
Edward Carbajal is a contributing writer for MMA at Frontproof Media and a Verified Creator at Creators.co. You can follow Edward on Twitter @Carbazel or at his website TheBlogBoardJungle.com. Check out his YouTube channel.
