World Series Of Fighting 21 Preview: Dual Title Fights Stack The Deck
World Series Of Fighting 21 is set to kick off in just a little bit, as the main card airs live on NBCSN at 9 PM eastern time, from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The fledgling company has decided to stack the deck on this Friday night, as the card is being headlined by two title fights.
In the main event of the evening, reigning featherweight champion Lance Palmer puts his strap on the line against Canadian Chris Horodecki, a former WEC and Bellator competitor. Horodecki has won three out of his last four bouts, and earned a unanimous decision win in his WSOF debut last October to secure a title shot. Known primarily for his striking skills, he will be going up against a tough opponent in the form of the Team Alpha Male product, and four-time All-American wrestler Palmer. Palmer is 9-1 in his mixed martial arts career, with five submissions, and will look to defend his 145-pound title for the first time tonight.
In the co-main event, the heavyweight title is on the line as champion Smealinho Rama squares off against Blagoi Ivanov. Oddly enough, Ivanov had trouble acquiring his visa, and did not arrive in Canada on time, missing the weigh-ins. However, the fight is on as both men weighed in today.
Rama will be making his first title defense, after scoring a stunning 51-second finish of Derek Mehmen last October to steal the title. A feel good story, Ivanov actually almost lost his life after being stabbed in 2012, but survived and compiled four-straight wins in Bellator, before falling in the heavyweight tournament final. Making his WSOF debut, Ivanov will look to take out Rama and secure gold.
Check out the full fight card below:
Main Card
Lance Palmer vs. Chris Horodecki
Smealinho Rama vs. Blagoi Ivanov
Mark Drummond vs. Michael Hill
Hakeem Dawodu vs. Chuka Willis
Prelims
Thiago Goncalves vs. Marcus Hicks
Dan Lariviere vs. Mike Scarcello
Louie Grover vs. Michael Hay