Blagoy Ivanov and his reign of terror over the WSOF heavyweight division continued on Saturday night as the big Bulgarian racked up yet another defence of his heavyweight crown by knocking out former UFC competitor Shawn Jordan in the main event of WSOF 35.
World Series of Fighting 35, or WSOF 35, took place at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York on Saturday, March 18 and would feature three of the promotion’s champions defending their titles with the featherweight and bantamweight belts also on the line.
The promotion also made headlines with WSOF 35 as it trialed innovative new technology including the “Refcam” and simultaneous multiple camera angles of the action all of which were very well received.
In the main event, Ivanov (15-1) wasted no time, and around the minute mark of the first round, the former Bellator fighter clipped Jordan (19-8) with a stiff right hand which sent him stumbling across the cage. Ivanov would quickly move in for the kill, landing a swift combination that dropped his opponent to the canvas, before referee Dan Miragliotta quickly intervened to stop the New Mexico native taking any further damage as Ivanov successfully retained his belt.
Heavyweights with heavy hands! Blagoy Ivanov def. Jordan and remains WSOF heavyweight champ! #WSOF35 pic.twitter.com/Qhlc0dqwag
— #WSOF35 (@MMAWorldSeries) March 19, 2017
The 30-year-old champion has now defended the WSOF heavyweight title three times and has yet to be troubled by anyone in the promotion since signing with WSOF in 2015. Ivanov’s only loss came at the hands of now-UFC fighter Alexander Volkov, who defeated his fellow Eastern European by way of submission in the heavyweight tournament final at Bellator 120.
Jordan meanwhile, who holds a win over Derrick Lewis, has now gone 1-1 in his WSOF career since leaving the UFC in 2015.
Undefeated Andre Harrison adds more featherweight gold to his growing collection
A new champion was crowned in the co-main event as top undefeated prospect Andre Harrison put in a convincing and dominant performance over champion Lance Palmer to take the unanimous decision victory and the WSOF featherweight title.
#WSOF35 @LancePalmer vs. @Drethebull fight highlights. pic.twitter.com/aYtFtNB657
— #WSOF35 (@MMAWorldSeries) March 19, 2017
Harrison (16-0) would control the pace of the fight throughout with a slick striking game and came close to finishing Team Alpha Male’s Palmer (11-3) in both the first and second round. The champion found something in the tank to get into the fight and make it competitive from the third round onwards, however, it was all to be in vain. “The Bull” would continue to be the better fighter regardless and even dropped Palmer in the final round whilst opening a cut on his forehead.
Winning by unanimous decision, Harrison has now won all of his sixteen professional fights and the new champion is familiar to wearing gold having previously been a featherweight title holder under both the Titan FC and Ring of Combat banners.
With Palmer’s latest title run coming to an end at the first hurdle, the 30-year-old has now lost two of his last three fights despite holding the championship.
Magomedov grinds his way to the vacant bantamweight title
With WSOF bantamweight kingpin Marlon Moraes having departed for pastures new, the opening bout of the main card would see Bekbulat Magomedov best Donavon Frelow over five rounds to take the vacant title on the judges’ scorecards.
Originally scheduled to face fellow countryman Timur Valiev, Magomedov had no problems adjusting to short notice replacement Frelow as he would dominate all five rounds with his wrestling and top control. Frelow had little to offer in return as the Russian marched to victory and the bantamweight strap in a very lackluster affair.
Earlier in the night on the WSOF 35 prelims, featherweight Canadian prospect Hakeem Dawodu kept his undefeated record intact with a decision win over former UFC fighter Steven Siler and Daghestani duo Islam Mamedov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov were successful in their lightweight and welterweight bouts respectively.
World Series of Fighting 35 Results
Heavyweight Title: Blagoy Ivanov def. Shawn Jordan via TKO (Round 1 – 1:43)
Featherweight Title: Andre Harrison def. Lance Palmer via Decision (Unanimous) (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
Bantamweight Title: Bekbulat Magomedov def. Donavon Frelow via Decision (Unanimous) (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Welterweight: Abubakar Nurmagomedov def. Matt Secor via Decision (Unanimous) (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Lightweight: Tom Marcellino def. Bill Jones via Decision (Unanimous) (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Featherweight: Hakeem Dawodu def. Steven Siler via Decision (Unanimous) (30-26, 29-28, 30-27)
Lightweight: Islam Mamedov def. Natan Schulte via Submission (Armbar) (Round 2 – 4:56)
Featherweight: Steven Rodriguez def. Alexandre Almeida via Decision (Split) (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
Catchweight: Emmanuel Walo def. Andrews Nakahara via Decision (Split) (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
