#wsof 34

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By Edward Carbajal

12/31/2016

Follow @Carbazel

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

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New York, NY – Dec. 30 – All 22 fighters set to compete on the historic WSOFNYC card on New Year’s Eve will hit the scales in the lobby of The Theater at Madison Square Garden today at 4:00 p.m. ET. The event is free and open to the public. 

Before the athletes weigh in fans in attendance will be treated to Q & A featuring MMA legends Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture. The event will take place in the lobby from 3:00 p.m to 3:45 p.m. ET. The MMA icons will also be doing an autograph session along with two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison and WSOF President Ray Sefo from 12:00 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET before the show on Saturday and from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET after the show. 

All of today’s festivities will be streamed live at WSOF.com.

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By Edward Carbajal

Follow @Carbazel

The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and other contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Frontproof Media, the Frontproofmedia.com staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.

It is a pretty big deal in Mixed Martial Arts when a championship title is won. It's even a bigger deal when a fighter is a two division champion. David Branch (19-3) not only won two titles but he has successfully defended them.

Branch gets to fight Louis Taylor for his middleweight title at the close of the year in Madison Square Garden on New Year’s Eve. Not only will he solidify his dominance in two weight classes with a win but he will have gone through year defending two division titles. Not to take away anyone else’s achievements of winning a title for one division let alone two but it is a popular belief in combat sports that truly be a champion, the title has to be defended.

WSOF President Ray Sefo has underlined that belief and Branch recently said the same in an interview with FloCombat.

"I was always told a true champion is supposed to defend their titles, so I just focused on defending my belts. "  -- David Branch

He does so with little trash talk and all action in the WSOF cage. He has defended the middleweight title against Clifford Starks at WSOF 30, and most recently the light heavyweight title against Vinny Magalhaes at WSOF 33 last October. His fight at the WSOF NYC card means that Branch has been in fight camp for the better part of 2016. With a win over Taylor on New Year’s Eve, Branch will likely be one of the most talked about fighters in 2017.

The New Year’s Eve card for WSOF is likely one you won’t want to miss. You can see the card details and ticket info here.