MMA World Series of Fighting 7 by S3i Digital

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING VP PRODUCTION AND CONTENT DEVELOPMENT Mario R. Mercado, Jr. LEAD EDITOR/ WRITER Cameron Gidari CONTRIBUTING WRITER/ LEAD COLUMNIST Mike Straka S3i/CIRCLE MEDIA CEO Randy Eccker PRESIDENT Mark Piening CRO John Libro GENERAL MANAGER Dan Libro ART DIRECTOR William Scheideler

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BEST K IND OF NERVOU S | 34 M A IN CA RD | 36 LONG LIVE THE Q U EEN | 40 NEW ROSTER SIG NING S | 42

Cameron Gidari Lead editor/ writer Mike Straka Lead columnist

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7 PRESIDENTAL ADDRESS When we launched the World Series of Fighting, we chose that name for a specific reason. Our vision was to have the best fighters from all over the globe competing under our banner, and to bring the WSOF to countries around the world. WSOF 7 is a big step towards that vision. The purchase of Aggression FC and subsequent launch of WSOF Canada has given us unparalleled access into the world of Canadian mixed martial arts. With a team in place that has spent years personally interacting with Canadian fighters and putting on shows for Canadian fans, the WSOF has been able to hit the ground running with our first show in Vancouver. WSOF Canada is only the beginning. We recently announced a partnership with legendary Japanese promotion Pancrase to spearhead WSOF Japan, and we are in talks to bring the WSOF across the Atlantic into Europe. Backed by our passionate international fan base, we expect 2014 to be a big year for the WSOF both at home in the United States and abroad. As we expand internationally, I want to personally thank you for continuing to believe in and support the WSOF. If you want to see the WSOF in your city or country, tell us on Facebook and Twitter. You never know where the WSOF might be headed next. The President,

Ray Sefo

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WELCOME TO

O U C V N E A R V C

anadians have a reputation of being some of the most passionate and knowledgeable mixed martial arts fans in the world, and they cement that reputation at every event with

their cheers, chants, and even songs. For the launch of WSOF Canada – which features a local team that knows Canadian MMA better than anyone on the planet – the World Series of Fighting wanted to bring a card worthy of the fans’ passion and support for MMA to the country. Call if putting our best foot forward, and with WSOF 7, we think we’ve done that. WSOF 7 will see the crowning of our first featherweight champion, the rise of a middleweight number-one contender, and the stiffest test in an undefeated fighter’s career. All of this comes to Vancouver, one of the most beautiful cities in the world and a hotbed for MMA, and there is no better place for our first Canadian event than at the PNE Agrodome. The Agrodome has played host to some of the most iconic rock bands in the world, like the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and the Who. It’s been used in the climactic scenes of both Rocky IV and Miracle. And with that kind of history, we are honored to have our fighters stand in front of 5,000 screaming fans on this historic card. WSOF 7 will be the first of many WSOF Canada shows, and we’re excited to show you what the World Series of Fighting is all about. Welcome to Vancouver, and welcome to WSOF 7.

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7 WSOF... EXPERIENCE THE EXCITEMENT.

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7 WSOF 6 RECAP M A I N E V E N T | JOSH

BURKMAN

vs STEVE CARL

F O R T H E I N A U G U R A L W S O F W E LT E R W E I G H T T I T L E

hen Josh Burkman and Steve

With his hand raised, Carl became the first

Carl stepped into the Decagon at

champion in WSOF history. The win was Carl’s

WSOF 6, they were fighting for more

seventh straight by submission, and 16th

than just a win. They were fighting for history.

submission win overall, and it sent a message to the rest of the division – Steve Carl is the man to beat at 170 lbs. in the WSOF.

The inaugural WSOF welterweight championship was on the line, the first title ever to be awarded in the World Series of Fighting. Burkman and Carl had gone a combined 5-0 in the WSOF with four firstround finishes, and were unquestionably the top two fighters in the division. Burkman took the early lead with two takedowns in the first round, scoring points from top position while Carl worked for submissions off of his back. But the tide began to turn in round two, when Carl landed a takedown of his own and worked to mounted position twice before the bell. After both fighters nearly found submissions in round three, the decisive moment of the fight came in round four. Burkman shot in for an early takedown, but Carl transitioned from a guillotine attempt into a triangle choke, sinking it in tightly. After a brief struggle, Burkman was forced to tap, then went unconscious as the referee broke the two fighters apart.

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7 FIVE MINUTES WITH WSOF WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION STEVE CARL INTERVIEW BY CAMERON GIDARI

How have you been spending your first month as the first-ever WSOF champion? salt water and soaking up some sun before returning

Before the fight, you talked about how important it was to have a strong mental game. Walking out to the cage, how did you feel mentally?

home to Iowa. Once home I continued relaxing and

Mentally walking out to the cage I was a little

resting my body, while also partaking in several meet

nervous and scared because I wasn’t able to train

and greets. I’m currently in Omaha helping a friend

for the fight and knew I wasn’t prepared for the

train for a short-notice fight.

biggest fight of my life [Ed note: Carl missed the last

I spent a week in Key West healing my body in some

two weeks of his training camp recovering from a back injury]. At the same time I was able to mentally keep myself super calm and not let those emotions overcome me.

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7 Burkman was able to find some takedown success in the first round, but you started taking over after that. What adjustments did you and your corner make after round 1?

Who was the first person you called after winning the belt?

I realized immediately when I put Josh on the fence

fight looked than celebrating the victory. Because I

and went for the takedown in the first round that

was so physically exhausted the fight felt like it was

I didn’t have the muscle endurance to overpower

in slow motion during it, so I was worried it may have

a fresh Josh Burkman for more than 30 seconds

been boring. But after watching it I realized it was an

without getting pumped out, so I spun myself on

exciting fight.

I actually don’t remember who the first person I called was. I had family and friends at the fights and once in the back I was more concerned with how the

the fence to make Josh have to work. I did the same thing with Josh’s second takedown where I initiated the takedown but pulled guard when I felt his defense. This put me in a position to be able to control Josh and wear him down further. I used this tactic in the third round also when Josh escaped my rear-naked attempt. I was left exhausted and found myself in a guillotine. If you look, Josh doesn’t reverse me. Instead, I flipped myself over knowing I could easily defend a mounted guillotine but also knowing Burkman would try to finish there and expend tons of energy himself.

What was running through your mind when you locked on that triangle in the fourth round?

Being the top guy in the division, there’s a bullseye on you now. Do you feel any added pressure being the fighter everyone is gunning for? I don’t feel any added pressure being the champ, instead I feel more confident and excited to get back in there. I’ve worked my ass off for years to get here and now that I’m in the spotlight there’s nothing to fear or worry about. I just need to be myself.

When you look at the welterweight division, who do you want to fight next? Looking at the current roster I would like to fight Jon Fitch next for sure!

I knew I had the triangle as soon as I locked it in, but the at the same time I was physically exhausted so I stayed calm and kept constant pressure on until the ref. stopped the fight.

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urging bantamweight Marlon

Moraes has now won four straight fights in the

Moraes made quick work of Carson Beebe

WSOF, and will fight for the inaugural WSOF

in WSOF 6â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s co-main event, connecting

bantamweight title in early 2014.

with a vicious left hook that send Beebe crashing to the canvas. Moraes looked sharp on the feet early, connecting with multiple stiff punches and defending a lone takedown attempt before landing the finishing blow. I S S U E

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7 WSOF 6 RECAP M A I N C A R D | JON

CONT’D

F I T C H D E F. M A R C E L O A L F A Y A

BY SPLIT DECISION (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

ooking to rebound from his upset loss to Josh Burkman, MMA veteran Jon Fitch narrowly edged WSOF newcomer

Marcelo Alfaya by slit decision. Alfaya flipped the script early on the wrestler Fitch, scoring a takedown and spending most of the first

landing accurate punches, securing takedowns of his own and working away with his trademark smothering top game. Now back in the win column, Fitch has his sights set on working his way up the welterweight division towards a shot at the title.

round working for a submission in back mount. But Fitch was able to rebound in the last two rounds,

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M A I N C A R D | JUSTIN

7 G A E T H J E D E F. D A N L A U Z O N

BY KO (PUNCHES) AT 1:40 OF ROUND 2

ustin Gaethje continued his

and Gaethje eventually connected with a big

impressive run through the WSOF

hook-uppercut combination that put Lauzon down

lightweight division, punishing Dan Lauzon

for good.

with leg kicks and punches before finally finishing the fight early in round 2.

With three straight knockout wins in the WSOF and

Gaethje has built a reputation of chopping his

as one of the scariest 155-lbs. fighters in the world.

an undefeated 10-0 record, Gaethje has emerged

opponents down like trees, and a series of leg kicks had Lauzon visibly limping by the end of the first round. The leg assault continued in round 2,

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7 WSOF 6 RECAP

CONT’D

U N D E R C A R D PABLO ALFONSO DEF. MIGUEL TORRES by submission (guillotine choke) at 3:05 of round 1 LUIZ FIRMINO DEF. JACOB VOLKMANN by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x 2) CHAD ROBICHAUX DEF. ANDREW YATES by technical submission (north-south choke) at 4:09 of round 2 JOSH RETTINGHOUSE DEF. ALEXIS VILA by unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)

NICK LOBOSCO DEF. FABIO MELLO by KO (head kick and punches) at 2:02 of round 1 ALEXANDRE PIMENTEL DEF. JADE PORTER by submission (triangle choke) at 3:05 of round 3 FRANCISCO FRANCE AND HANS STRINGER fought to a unanimous draw (28-28 x 3)

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J O S H

R E T T I N G H O U S E

D E F.

A L E X I S

V I L A

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7 WSOF 6 IN PICTURES BY LUCAS NOONAN

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7 HEAT CHECK

WHICH WSOF FIGHTERS ARE SETTING THE CAGE ON FIRE?

S T E V E C A R L | (3-0

W S O F, 2 1 - 3 O V E R A L L )

Carl’s submission win over Josh Burkman made him the first champion in WSOF history. He has submitted all three of his opponents in the Decagon.

MMA World Series of Fighting

7 MARLON MORAES

( 4 - 0 W S O F, 1 2 - 4 O V E R A L L ) He’s the only fighter to have four WSOF wins on

NICK NEWELL

his record after knocking out Carson Beebe at

( 1 - 0 W S O F, 1 0 - 0 O V E R A L L )

WSOF 6. Moraes will fight for the inaugural WSOF

Newell proved that he could back up the hype by

bantamweight title in early 2014.

submitting Keon Caldwell in two minutes in his

DAVE BRANCH

Decagon debut. He now faces Sabah Fadai at

( 3 - 0 W S O F, 1 3 - 3 O V E R A L L )

WSOF 7.

After beating Danillo Villefort in their Middleweight

ANTHONY JOHNSON

Tournament semifinal fight, Branch will be keeping

( 2 - 0 W S O F, 1 5 - 4 O V E R A L L )

a close eye on the Jesse Taylor/ Elvis Mutapcic

No matter the weight class, “Rumble” keeps on

fight at WSOF 7. Branch will face the winner for the

winning. After defeating former heavyweight world

inaugural WSOF middleweight title.

champion Andrei Arlovski at heavyweight, Johnson

G E O R G I K A R A K H A NYA N ( 1 - 0 W S O F, 2 2 - 3 - 1 O V E R A L L )

Karakhanyan made a big statement in his WSOF debut by submitting Waylon Lowe in the first round. He will fight for the inaugural WSOF featherweight

is back at 205 lbs. and awaiting a future matchup with Mike Kyle.

TYRONE SPONG (2-0 WSOF, 2-0 OVERALL)

WSOF fans are eagerly awaiting the return of the

title at WSOF 7.

kickboxing superstar after the 2-0 start to his

JUSTIN GAETHJE

Spong will return early in 2014.

( 3 - 0 W S O F, 1 0 - 0 O V E R A L L )

career. And they won’t have to wait much longer –

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STRAKA’S TAKE BY MIKE STRAKA

SOF 7’s main-event featherweight

school called “Pinned,” which focused on the rigors

title bout will pit two of the division’s

wrestlers typically go through to be the best.

best fighters against one another in what

I am sure will turn out to be a fight for the ages.

Whoever walks away with the World Series of

Sambo expert and former pro soccer player Georgi

earned it in war.

Karakhanyan (22-3-1) will take on undefeated Team Alpha Male’s Lance Palmer (7-0), a former All-

Fighting inaugural featherweight belt, he will have

WSOF 7 also marks the return of “Notorious” Nick

American Ohio State wrestler.

Newell. The one-armed fighter is undefeated and

Palmer is considered one of the best featherweight

Iranian-born Sabah “The Persian Warrior” Fadai in a

prospects in MMA. Training daily with the likes of

featured lightweight bout.

Urijah Faber, Joe Benavides and Chad Mendes – three of the best lighter weight fighters in the world

has nine first-round finishes in ten fights. He faces

Little known outside of Canada, Fadai is 7-2

– will do that.

and has finished all seven of his opponents by

But “Insane” Karakhanyan is no slouch. The

dangerous threat to Newell’s title berth, and a win

Armenian-American is a veteran of big fights,

over Newell would put Fadai on the map, so this

and his first round submission victory over MMA

is sure to be an entertaining fight with a lot on the

veteran Waylon Lowe in his WSOF debut last

line for both fighters.

September proved he’s one of the best in the world

either knockout or submission. He poses a very

at featherweight.

But it won’t be all 155 and under that fans should

Palmer has the X factor however.

Mutapcic in a title-eliminator bout. The winner will

As a four-time state wrestling champion in Ohio and a four time All-American at Ohio State, Palmer understands the pressure of competition perhaps better than most fighters at his level. He even had a documentary made about him while he was in high

MMA World Series of Fighting

be excited about. Jesse Taylor will take on Elvis face Dave Branch for the WSOF middleweight belt. Don’t blink during this fight. One of these heavy hitters will most certainly find his target, and it will be “Good night sweet prince.”

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7 FIGHTING THE PRESSURE BY MIKE STRAKA

hen “Notorious” Nick Newell

After ten professional fights, Newell has only been to

(10-0) steps into the cage in Vancouver,

a decision once in his career. The rest of his wins all

British Columbia for WSOF 7

came in the first round, either by KO or submission.

against Sabah Fadei (7-2), he won’t be fighting just his opponent.

“My last fight against Keon Caldwell went well,”

For Newell, he will be fighting the inherent pressure

wear him out because he’s very explosive. So our

that comes with an undefeated record. He will be

game plan was to put weight on him and take that

fighting the anxiety of knowing a lightweight world

explosiveness away from him, but I saw an opening

title shot with World Series of Fighting is just a few

for the guillotine so I took it.”

Newell said. “I wanted to keep pressure on him and

fights away with a win. And he will be fighting the fact that all the pressure is on him this time. “He’s hungry and he’s looking to make a name for himself so he’s very dangerous,” Newell said

That choke came at 1:52 of the first round, his ninth first-round stoppage. To say Newell is on a tear would be an

of Fadei.

understatement. And though Nick will be facing

“He has a lot of knockout power and he’s fought

ever before, the story will always revolve the fact that

all over the world. He’s fought on TV before so he

he was born with congenital amputation -- and only

won’t be nervous. He has never been submitted and

has one arm.

tougher competition in the WSOF than he’s faced

technically he’s very good. The fact of the matter is no one really knows who he is. But I know who he is. I’m well aware.”

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“Initially it was a shock,” says Stacey Newell, a single mother who had Nick when she was just 22 years

MMA World Series of Fighting

7 FIGHTING THE PRESSURE

CONT’D

old. “But within 24 hours I was able to deal with it.

“I never doubted he could do anything,” Stacey

He was perfect to me in every way, but as a young,

said. “But I also knew he would do it his way. He

single parent I thought if I just told him to say, ‘I was

would have to work harder than everybody else to

born this way,’ and he learned to like himself, then

do the things that he wanted to do, and along the

everything would be fine.”

way he’s become a champion. I’m very proud of

It’s turned out better than fine for her son. After winning the XFC lightweight championship, Newell sought tougher competition and settled on the

the message, but as a mom, I don’t think any mom says, ‘Ooh, I can’t wait to see my son step into the cage and fight.’”

WSOF to satisfy the itch to prove he can hang with

Nick’s mother is a nurse, so she understands the

the top guys in his weight class.

danger professional fighting poses on its athletes

“Everyone’s tough,” Newell said. “There’s no easy fights from here on out. I’m going to fight whomever

better than most. And while she worries about head injuries, she understands it is part of the game.

I have to fight to get to the championship. I want the

“I just think, ‘Please don’t let him get hurt,’” she said.

belt, and I know I’m going to get it.”

“My favorite part of the fight is when they raise his

Newell attributes that confidence to the way his

hand at the end. Then I can see that smile of his.”

mother brought him up to believe he could do anything he sets his mind to. “MMA is one person up there fighting but it’s a team sport,” Newell said. “I work extremely hard, there’s no doubt about that, but I’m also lucky to have people in my life who care a lot about me. My coach lets me stay in his house when I’m in camp, my mom takes care of the little things so I only have to worry about fighting.”

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7 HOW WE GOT HERE KARAKHANYAN VS. PALMER

hen it was announced that Mike Kyle would be forced out of his WSOF 7 main-event fight against

Anthony Johnson, it opened the door for two of the most exciting featherweights in the world to headline the WSOF’s first trip to Canada in historic fashion. When Georgi Karakhanyan and Lance Palmer square off on Dec. 7, they will do with the inaugural WSOF featherweight championship on the line. One of them will become only the second champion that the WSOF has ever crowned in any weight class, and a win would mean top-10 status in the worldwide featherweight rankings. Karakhanyan entered the WSOF on a sevenfight winning streak, and quickly impressed the organization with a first-round submission of tough veteran Waylon Lowe at WSOF 5. Submissions are Karakhanyan’s calling card, and over half of his professional wins have come by way of the tapout.

MMA World Series of Fighting

Palmer was named Karakhanyan’s replacement opponent after Rick Glenn was forced off the card due to injury, but Palmer enters the WSOF as one of the hottest featherweight prospects in the world. A four-time Division-I All-American wrestler, Palmer is undefeated at 7-0 and comes from the highly regarded Team Alpha Male camp. With that strong wrestling base, there is no surprise that Palmer has excelled at putting opponents down on the mat and then finishing them there. Both fighters feature strong jiu-jitsu games that make for some interesting style dilemmas. Will Palmer try to keep the fight standing to avoid Karakhanyan’s dangerous submissions? Will Karakhanyan try to flip the script and take the wrestler down, or will he try to stay standing and trade punches? With so many variables, only one thing is certain – one of them will leave Vancouver as WSOF champion. D E C

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WSOF 7 PREVIEW

GEORGI KARAKHANYAN (22-3-1)

VS.

LANCE PALMER (7-0)

ELVIS MUTAPCIC

NICK NEWELL

(13-2)

(10-0)

VS.

JESSE TAYLOR

SABAH FADAI

(26-9)

(7-2)

KALIB STARNES (15-8-1)

VS.

DWAYNE LEWIS (13-8)

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RECORD

22-3

KO/ TKO

SUBMISSIONS

GEORGI

KARAKHANYAN “INSANE”

The winner of eight straight fights, Georgi Karakhanyan has proven to be one of the fastest-rising featherweights in MMA today, and at 28 years old, he is just starting to reach his athletic peak. Karakhanyan has shown a knack for finishing opponents and finishing them quickly, earning five wins by firstround stoppage during that eight-fight winning streak. But just as importantly to Karakhanyan, he is learning how to break down tough fighters and win by decision. Before his WSOF debut against Waylon Lowe, Karakhanyan told MMAJunkie.com, “I got used to finishing, but against those tough fighters, I learned how to beat them in decisions. I learned how to break them, find their weaknesses.” It was Karakhanyan’s performance against Lowe – a first-round guillotine finish – that opened a lot of eyes in the MMA community. And now, he’ll have the chance to cement his status as one of the most dangerous featherweights in the world.

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7 3

RECORD

7-0

SUBMISSIONS

LANCE

PALMER “UNSTOPPABLE”

A four-time All-American wrestler at Ohio State University and a four-time high school state wrestling champion, Lance Palmer burst onto the MMA scene in 2011 and quickly earned the reputation as a fast-rising star to watch. Two years later, with a perfect record that includes two first-round finishes, Palmer enters the WSOF with an opportunity to transition from prospect to champion. Palmer trains with Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, a camp comprised of some of the very best bantamweights and featherweights in the world. Backed by world-class coaches and the experience of competing at the highest level amateur wrestling, Palmer fights with a level of poise and confidence not often seen in fighters with just seven pro fights. And at just 25 years old, there’s no telling what new tricks Palmer will bring to the Decagon from his Alpha Male teammates.

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7 FEATHERWEIGHT

CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT

COMPETITOR INFO 28 years old 5’8” Reach: 69” (175 cm) Boca Raton, Florida

STATS THAT MATTER 6

The number of different submissions Karakhanyan has used to finish opponents. He has won by guillotine choke, rearnaked choke, kimura, north-south choke, armbar, and triangle choke.

GEORGI

KARAKHANYAN “INSANE”

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7 FEATHERWEIGHT

CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT

COMPETITOR INFO 25 years old 5’6” Reach: 70 in (177.8 cm) Sacramento, California

STATS THAT MATTER 150-6

Palmer’s high school wrestling record, where he earned four state championships.

The combined number of fights that Karakhanyan and Palmer have gone undefeated.

LANCE

PALMER “UNSTOPPABLE”

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RECORD

26-9

KO/ TKO

SUBMISSIONS

JESSE

TAYLOR “JT MONEY”

A former D1 All-American and two-time Junior College All-American wrestler, Jesse Taylor has fought for some of the biggest MMA organizations all over the world, from Australia and Japan to Bahrain and Poland. Now on a six-fight winning streak, the 35-fight veteran has captured multiple middleweight titles across various promotions before entering the WSOF’s inaugural Middleweight Championship Tournament. And while he was originally supposed to face opponent Elvis Mutapcic in a semi-final bout at WSOF 5, Taylor will look to continue his momentum en route to a match against Dave Branch in the Finals.

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7 5

RECORD

13-2

KO/ TKO

SUBMISSIONS

ELVIS

MUTAPCIC “THE KING”

A dangerous kickboxer hailing from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elvis Mutapcic is one of the top international MMA fighters in the middleweight division. With a combination of devastating leg kicks and an aggressive submission game, Mutapcic has shown an ability to finish fights no matter where they end up. Mutapcic immigrated to Des Moines, Iowa as a teenager, and opened his career on an 8-1 run in Iowa’s regional circuit. Those early wins showcased Mutapcic’s ability to break opponents down with kicks before finishing them on the ground, an ability that he continues to hone to this day. Recently, Mutapcic has gone 3-0 fighting in Canada, and will try to make it four straight north of the border when he fights in Vancouver for the first time.

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7 THE BEST KIND OF NERVOUS BY MIKE STRAKA

ave Branch (13-3), the WSOF’s first middleweight title contender awaiting his championship opponent in the winner of

WSOF 7’s Jesse Taylor vs. Elvis Mutapcic, isn’t too worried about the outcome of their match. “It doesn’t matter which one wins,” Branch said. “I’m well versed for both guys. Jesse Taylor fights more like I do and Elvis Mutapcic wants to knock somebody’s head off and I’ve fought a bunch of guys like that.” If you’ve followed Branch’s career over the past decade, you might be bewildered by the otherwise

“I talked to Dan Gable,” Branch said. Dan Gable? Yes, that Dan Gable - The legendary Iowa State University wrestling coach and Olympic Gold Medalist who lost only one match, his last, during his entire collegiate career. While teaching a wrestling seminar at Edge MMA in Hoboken, NJ where Branch trains wrestling, Gable opened Branch’s eyes with one notion that takes most professional athletes several sessions with a sports psychologist to grasp. “I said, ‘Mr. Gable, did you ever feel nervous before

gentle giant’s brash confidence.

you go out and compete?’” asked Branch. “And he

But something funny happened on the way to

and said, ‘The kind of nervous energy you’re talking

the World Series of Fighting’s middleweight title

about is the kind that affects your ability to perform.

tournament, and it wasn’t even a mixed martial arts

When I was nervous, I was always nervous because I

session that helped Branch turn the corner.

couldn’t wait to go out there and embarrass the guy

fixed his eyeglasses and looked me right in the eye

and show the world he had no business being on the same mat with me.’

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7 I was always nervous because I couldn’t wait to go out there and embarrass the guy... DAN GABLE ON NERVOUSNESS BEFORE A FIGHT

“I never looked at competition like that until a guy

“I’m really hungry for a finish Mike. I’m really hungry

like Dan Gable said that to me,” Branch said. “It was

for one and my corner has been begging me to show

a turning point in my career and it made realize all of

the world, show the promotion the vicious side of

my gifts and abilities, and to not be so gun-shy, to go

me,” said Branch.

out there and just harass guys and do what I want to do.”

“I want that belt so bad, I think about it. I dream

Gable’s Jedi mind trick worked.

it. I’m always going to eat my soup with a fork, I’m

about it. I have a spot in my house for it. I train for

Branch has dispatched some of the biggest competition he’s faced while fighting in the WSOF, including Dustin Jacoby, Danilo Villeforte and Pahlo

always going to be hungry. I can’t go in there cocky. I have to prove myself every time I go in the Decagon. Anyone who signs a contract against me is a threat.” So, what is Branch’s advice to any athlete suffering

Filho. “I’m really happy to be a part of the WSOF,” he said. “It’s really helped as far as exposure. Before people knew I was a fighter, [but] now they really know who I

self-doubt that has held them back in their performances? “Two words. Dan Gable.”

am because I’m getting the opportunity to fight highcaliber competition.” But while Branch is happy with his performance and the stability a promotion such as the WSOF provides professional fighters like himself, Dave told me he is hungrier than he’s ever been.

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STATS THAT MATTER

0 The number of times that

Mutapcic has lost by anything other than decision.

ELVIS

that Taylor has fought in professionally.

0 The number of times Taylor

has been knocked out in 35 professional fights.

JESSE

MUTAPCIC

TAYLOR

27 years old

29 years old

6’0”

6’1”

Reach: 70 in (178 cm)

Reach: 73.5 in (187 cm)

Des Moines, Iowa

Murrieta, California

“THE KING”

10 The number of countries

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“JT MONEY”

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7 2

RECORD

10-0

KO/ TKO

SUBMISSIONS

NICK

NEWELL “NOTORIOUS”

Few fighters have garnered national media attention so early in their careers quite like Nick Newell has. Born with a condition called congenital amputation, Newell’s left arm stops just past the elbow. But despite only having one hand, Newell has blazed a storm through the lightweight division, going undefeated and finishing nine of his ten opponents in the first round. Newell features an aggressive wrestling and submission game, and immediately looks to finish when the action hits the mat. That aggression was on full display in Newell’s debut at WSOF 4, when he shot for an ankle pick against Keon Caldwell, initiated a scramble, and then sunk in a deep guillotine for the finish just two minutes into their fight. With a desire to always face better competition, Newell could see a rapid ascent through the WSOF’s lightweight division.

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RECORD

7-2

KO/ TKO

( 1 N O C O N T E S T S)

SUBMISSIONS

SABAH

FADAI

“THE PERSIAN WARRIOR” WSOF newcomer Sabah Fadai is a quick worker. The British Columbia-based fighter has earned five of his seven career wins by first-round finish, with none of his wins going to decision. Fadai brings a dangerous combination of power and submission prowess to the Decagon. With WSOF 7 in his backyard, he has an opportunity to make a huge statement in his promotional debut by knocking off the undefeated Nick Newell.

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STATS THAT MATTER

3:11 The average time Newell

takes to win a fight. Newell has nine first-round finishes, including six finishes in under two minutes.

70 The percentage of time

Newell wins by submission.

0 The number of times Fadai

5 The number of first-round

finishes for Fadai. All seven of Fadai’s wins have come by stoppage.

has been submitted in his MMA career.

NICK

NEWELL

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SABAH

FADAI

“NOTORIOUS”

“THE PERSIAN WARRIOR”

27 years old

28 years old

5’10”

5’7

Reach: 74 in (188 cm)

Reach: 75 in (190.5 cm)

Springfield, Massachusetts

Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada

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7 LONG LIVE THE QUEEN BY MIKE STRAKA

he big moves keep coming from World Series of Fighting, as the still-fledging promotion not only announces

a women’s strawweight division, but picked up one of the world’s pound-for-pound best in Jessica Aguilar in the process. “We signed Jessica Aguilar, the number one ranked strawweight in the world,” said matchmaker and WSOF Executive Vice President Ali Abdulaziz, who added that strawweight is just the beginning for women on NBC Sports Network. “We are going to start every weight division for women. We will pursue the best in the world so they have a space to showcase their skills.” “I’ve always been very competitive,” says Aguilar. “I do this to be the best but I never imagined becoming number one in the world, and it’s changed my life in many areas and many ways. I’m just so grateful to the WSOF for believing in me. They made it happen.”

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7 “Jag” (16-4) defeated Megumi Fujii October fifth in

“MMA has given me a platform to help people,”

a rematch that ended on a technical decision after

she said. “I’ve always wanted to be successful,

Fujii suffered two accidental eyepokes. It was Fujii’s

to help people. I’ve always thought I wanted to

retirement fight. And while WSOF doesn’t even have

be in movies to do that, but MMA has given me

another woman signed to date, Jessica said the

the opportunity to tell my stories; to help in anti-

future is brighter than it’s ever been for her.

bullying; to raise money for different causes,

“With the WSOF family I am able to help my mom,” she said. “My dream is to say to my mom ‘Relax,

and it has changed my life in many ways. It’s my passion.”

you don’t have to work anymore.’ I’ve never been

Aguilar began training in 2006 at American Top

as secure as today. This is life changing for me and

Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. She has her purple

it will be life changing for my family.”

belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under famed coach

Women’s mixed martial arts has come a long way in just the past 24 months, with network and cable sports channels recognizing what promoters and

Marcos “Parrumpinha” Da Matta, and is the 2010 Fila Grappling World Championships Women’s Senior N-Gi Gold Medalist.

MMA fans have known for years: the women really

“The sky is the limit for WSOF,” said Aguilar. “They

bring it.

have so much potential and I’m so happy to be part

“They pull higher ratings than men a lot of the

of them.”

times,” said Abdulaziz. “And if we can put on

Abdulaziz says “Jag” will be in action as early as

quality fights for women I know the fans will tune

March 2014. Stay tuned.

in. I think women mixed martial artists have so much pride and veracity that a lot of women’s fights are more entertaining than some men’s, and to have the opportunity to put her on the map on NBC Sports? That’s very exciting for us to do.” With Aguilar the WSOF get more than a ferocious competitor. The 115-pound Mexican-American speaks Spanish, Portuguese and English, and she’s openly gay, and mixed martial arts gives her a way to inspire a variety of people and cultures. “Jag” says she’s always known her mission was to be an inspiration to all walks of life. I S S U E

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NEW ROSTER SIGNINGS THE NEWEST ADDITIONS TO THE WSOF ROSTER

YUSHIN OKAMI

MIKE RUSSOW

( 2 9 - 8 R E C O R D. 1 0 KO / T KO, 4 SUBMISSIONS)

( 1 5 - 3 ( 1 N C) R E C O R D. 4 KO / T KO, 8 SUBMISSIONS)

Okami is one of the top middleweights in the

When he’s not fighting, Russow is a police officer in

world and has been competing against the top

Chicago by trade. He has knockout power, but the

talent in the 185-lbs. division since 2002. With

former All-American wrestler is most dangerous on

his combination of strength, knockout power, and

the ground, where he has finished seven opponents

wrestling ability, “Thunder” is a dangerous addition

in the first round.

to the WSOF’s middleweight pool.

CODY BOLLINGER

SCOTT BARRETT ( 1 3 - 3 R E C O R D. 1 0 KO / T KO, 1 SUBMISSION)

( 1 4 - 2 ( 1 N C) R E C O R D. 4 KO / T KO, 5 SUBMISSIONS)

Nicknamed “The Bear,” Barrett is an imposing

Despite being just 22 years old, Bollinger has

heavyweight who has earned all of his stoppage

already fought professionally 16 times. Bollinger

wins in the first round.

enters the WSOF featherweight division having gone 6-1 (1 NC) in the last two years.

JESSICA AGUILAR

BENNY MADRID ( 7 - 1 R E C O R D. 4 KO / T KO, 2 SUBMISSIONS)

1 6 - 4 R E C O R D. 2 KO / T KO, 7 SUBMISSIONS)

Madrid opened his lightweight career with seven

Aguilar is the first woman to sign a contract

distance in that stretch.

with the WSOF, and will compete at the 115lbs strawweight division. She is ranked the #1 strawweight in the world, and enters the WSOF on a seven-fight winning streak.

straight wins, with only one fight going the

BRYSON HANSEN ( 6 - 1 R E C O R D. 4 KO / T KO ) Hansen is a dynamic bantamweight who brings some serious firepower to the Decagon. His highlights include a suplex knockout and three first-round TKO wins.

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